College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

A tradition of excellence, a legacy of caring

Mercer University 3

The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences At A Glance ; The #3-ranked private pharmacy school and among the nation’s top

public and private pharmacy schools by U.S. News & World Report

; Ph.D. students from Mercer’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences had more American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education (AFPE) Awards than any private school in the nation and more than any public or private school in the Southeast

; Physician assistant and physical therapy programs that build on a tradition of excellence extending more than 100 years

; Outstanding faculty conduct research resulting in new knowledge generation and groundbreaking discoveries

; Nationally recognized student organizations that promote leadership development

; I nternational pharmacy practice experiences, medical missions and enduring camaraderie

; Vibrant Atlanta location rich with professional and recreational opportunities

Welcome It was one of those first-sight occurrences. Aimee knew she wanted to come here —and nowhere else—during her initial visit to Mercer.

This brochure will help explain why—and why so many others feel the same way. The pages won’t be the same as experiencing Mercer in person, but they will give you an insight into what makes our school unique and inviting.

So welcome to the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences—where you can interact with great and caring minds, enjoy activities that shape you as a person, and prepare for a successful future.

4 The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

“Attending Mercer has

opened doors and

provided opportunities

that I never would

have experienced at other

pharmacy schools.”

Aimee ReinhardDoctor of Pharmacy Class of 2010

Mercer University 5

The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences of Mercer

University seeks to prepare its students to effectively

contribute to and improve healthcare through

excellence in patient-centered care and research.

COPHS Mission Statement

Profound Opportunities, Honored Heritage At Mercer you’ll benefit from a long-standing tradition of excellence. Since our founding in 1903, the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (COPHS) has made notable contributions to the fields of pharmacy and health sciences. Mercer is ranked as the #3 private pharmacy school in the U.S. and among the top 32 private and public pharmacy schools. Our newest offerings, the physician assistant and physical therapy programs, are building on this heritage.

No matter which path you take to graduation, you’ll benefit from our interdisciplinary approach to learning—in classes with low faculty/student ratios, and in innovative research labs where important strides are made. Some of the country’s most distinguished instructors will guide you, enlighten you and expand your potential for making significant contributions to your chosen field.


Mercer is respected as a leading university. Our students and faculty are outstanding leaders in the healthcare profession, and our programs offer a broad range of degrees:

; Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)

; Doctor of Pharmacy

; Doctor of Philosophy

; Doctor of Pharmacy/Doctor of Philosophy

; Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Business Administration

; Doctor of Physical Therapy

Mercer University 7

“I think experiences

working with

organizations such as the

Indian Health Service,

FDA, industry and other

pharmacy settings really

open doors for us as

students and future

pharmacists in terms of

networking and gaining

a knowledge base that

will benefit us down

the road.”

Sara Anne DunnDoctor of Pharmacy Class of 2011

The Student Experience High academic standards are important. So are camaraderie and lifelong friendships. You’ll treasure them all at Mercer, in an atmosphere you can truly enjoy. Connecting is as simple as saying hi—to fellow classmates, social activities, organizations, volunteerism… The list goes on and on.

And not just on campus. Education at COPHS can take you around the world. Whether you’re involved in a five-week international pharmacy practice experience in Japan, take part in a Global Mission to Kenya, or working with the Indian Health Services in Arizona, you’ll have ample opportunity to explore different cultures and expand your thinking. This kind of openness, together with the school’s reputation, prompts people from across the globe and nation to study here.

They join an impressive student body. Mercerians are frequently recognized with prestigious fellowships and scholarships. Our school actively supports students’ participation and prominence in professional


“Encouragement from fellow

students, faculty and staff enabled

me to continue the Mercer

tradition of students holding

national leadership positions.

My service as National President

of the Student National

Pharmaceutical Association

prepared me to be a leader in the

pharmacy profession.”

Bobby Price, Pharm.D. Class of 2010 Pharmacy Manager,

Walmart Pharmacy Vice President, Atlanta Chapter and

National Planning Committee Liaison, National Pharmaceutical Association

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organizations, and our student chapters are among some of the top collegiate chapters in the country.

At Mercer, you can be a leader, you can be a member, but most of all, you can be extremely content with where you are. It’s that kind of place.

National Recognition of Mercer Students and Student Organizations

; American Pharmacists Association – Academy of Student Pharmacists Chapter won the National Division A Chapter Achievement Award at the recent APhA Annual Meeting in 2010.

; Kappa Psi Pharmacy Fraternity Gamma Psi Chapter awarded Chapter of the Year Award in 2009 and 2010 (#1 chapter internationally).

; Robert Harshbarger, Pharmacy Class of 2011, appointed to Region 5 NCPA SEC Student Regional Council.

; Soranarom Kumsaitong, Pharmacy Class of 2012, awarded the ASHP 2010 Student Leadership Award.

; Juan Lopez, Pharmacy Class of 2012, elected to serve as the National Vice President of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) for 2010-2011.

; Ph.D. students Rebecca Neal, Delaram Moshkelani, and David Turner were awarded American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education Pre-Doctoral Fellowships.

; Annise Williams-Nairn, Physician Assistant Class of 2011, elected to serve as Director of Diversity in the Student Academy of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

Research Opportunities Mercer University is committed to being one of America’s most distinguished institutions of higher learning. Our college’s focus on research is aligned with that goal, and exposes students to the generation of new knowledge and groundbreaking discoveries across a broad range of interconnected disciplines. As a result, Mercer graduates are sought after by leading companies and universities.


“Mercer has always focused

on real-world research

and collaboration, which is

the best way for discoveries

to occur. What characterizes

this College is the can-do

attitude of its faculty

and students.”

Assistant Professor John Bauer, Pharm.D., Ph.D.

2007 Mercer graduate whose scientific paper presentation took first place at the 25th Annual Southeastern Pharmacology Society conference

Mercer boasts scholars known internationally as experts in their respective fields. The outstanding work performed at COPHS leads to dramatic increases in the number and range of grants it attracts each year. These new endeavors add to cutting-edge developments already being conducted by the following centers:

; Center for Clinical Outcomes Research and Education—

Dedicated to improving medication use and healthcare

outcomes through research and education

; Center for Clinical Research—Conducting Phase I–IV clinical

trials for medications, including those focused on Alzheimer’s

Disease

; Center for Drug Delivery Research—Instrumental in bringing

microneedle transdermal delivery technology to commercial

reality

; Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning—

Promoting effective and innovative teaching that enhances

learning at COPHS

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The Atlanta Difference What happens when big-city energy meets a mild seasonal climate and friendly, down-home hospitality? In a word, Atlanta.

When you’re not enjoying the serene campus atmosphere at COPHS, you can step into a kaleidoscope of cultural and recreational possibilities. The Southeast’s most vibrant and pivotal city, Atlanta gives you immediate access to entertainment, sports and cultural attractions—and puts you just a few hours away from ocean beaches and mountain getaways.

Businesses like this location, too, making Atlanta a corporate linchpin and international travel hub. In an environment ripe with possibility, you can take advantage of the internships, clinical experiences and professional service opportunities that these organizations provide.



“I fell in love with the

location of Mercer, nestled in

a beautiful campus that

is just minutes away from

the excitement of downtown

Atlanta.”

Neha NageshraoDoctor of Pharmacy/Master of

Business Administration Class of 2011

Programs Overview We believe that the best way to promote patient-centered healthcare is to champion student-centered education. Our professors are caring and accessible. They value the individual in every student, and are dedicated to helping you learn to make a difference—through effective problem solving, creative thinking and reaching your true potential.

Minds and personalities thrive in this environment. They also make remarkable achievements. Mercer students are awarded some of the most prestigious and competitive fellowships, honors and scholarships in the country. The following degree programs serve as their springboards to excellence.


“Of all the schools I

applied to, Mercer was

the only one that offered

a study abroad program

for experiential sites…

being here has allowed

me to be more than I

thought I could be, do

more than I thought I

could do.”

Katherine Rakestraw

Doctor of Pharmacy

Class of 2013


The College of Pharmacy

and Health Sciences bases

its educational program and

position in the health care

community upon certain core

values. The core values of the

College are excellence, integrity,

caring, innovation, learning,

professionalism, and commitment.


Doctor of PharmacyCOPHS was the first pharmacy school in the Southeast, and the fifth in the country to offer the Pharm.D. degree as its sole professional degree. Emphasizing pharmaceutical care and clinical acumen—not just a product-oriented practice—this degree is designed to provide the scholastic expertise necessary for the highest levels of professionalism in a variety of settings.

Fourth year pharmacy students can consider participating in four unique advanced pharmacy practice experience programs: Advanced Clinical Track, Indian Health Service, International, and Global Missions, as well as practice experiences in Atlanta, the Southeast and other states ranging from Maryland to Texas and Alaska.


“During your education at

Mercer, you will be taught

the foundations of pharmacy

all the way to the most

complicated clinical scenarios

by accomplished and

renowned clinical and research

professors.”

Robert WitcherDoctor of Pharmacy Class of 2012

Pharmacy Residencies

A limited number of post-doctoral residencies are available to qualified Pharm.D. graduates each year. While not required for all practice settings, these residencies help graduates increase their expertise in patient-centered care, teaching and research.

Numerous Mercer graduates have been selected for residencies and fellowships throughout the U.S., including:

; Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

; Duke University Hospital

; Emory University Hospital

; Indian Health Service

; Johns Hopkins

; Mayo Clinic

; Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals

; Vanderbilt University Medical Center

“I am in my fourth year of Mercer’s

Pharm.D./Ph.D. program and am

pleased to say that coming to

Mercer was the best choice for my

professional career. I have enjoyed the

practical experiences I have gained

from both a pharmacy and research

standpoint, as well as the guidance

and mentoring I have received from

faculty members who continue to

expose me to new avenues of thought

and opportunity.”

Rebecca Neal Burns Pharm.D./Ph.D. Student Awarded Pre-Doctoral Fellowship by the

American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education


Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences Research grants from the American Diabetes Association provided the first critical funding for Ph.D. students in 1988. The Pharmaceutical Sciences Department has grown significantly since then, preparing future leaders for teaching and research careers in academia, the pharmaceutical industry, and other health-related agencies.

The highly individualized graduate program is tailored to each student and includes 35 hours of dissertation research. Areas of specialization include pharmacology, pharmaceutics, toxicology, and medicinal chemistry.

Doctor of Pharmacy/Doctor of Philosophy For those interested in an academic/research career in the pharmaceutical sciences, this program enables highly qualified students to obtain both Pharm.D. and Ph.D. degrees in a shortened period of time. Completion time will depend on your individual qualifications and interests.

The program’s built-in flexibility is designed to accommodate individuals with varied educational backgrounds and interests. After the third year, the research component offers you an impressive array of opportunities for collaboration and

discovery. Students in the program may pursue a Clinical Scientist track or specialization in medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, or toxicology.


“As a Floridian, it was an

easy choice for me to

leave the Sunshine State

in order to receive the

one-of-a-kind education

that I am receiving

from Mercer.”

Alan TuckerDoctor of Pharmacy/Master of

Business Administration Class of 2013


Doctor of Pharmacy/ Master of Business Administration Complementing the Pharm.D. degree, Mercer’s MBA degree broadens the occupational and professional opportunities available to graduates. It’s designed for students interested in the management of human, material, and/or financial resources in business, government, or non-profit institutions.

The advanced business degree is earned through the Stetson School of Business and Economics (SSBE). The Princeton Review named Stetson one of the Best 301 Business Schools, and the School’s Atlanta MBA program was ranked No. 1 in the category of “Greatest Opportunity for Women.” This degree allows students to take MBA classes at their own pace.


The mission of the Physician Assistant Program is to educate patient-centered medical providers of the highest quality who are leaders, life-long learners, possess an appreciation of ethical values and human diversity, and are provided a foundation to practice in every discipline of allopathic medicine. The Physician Assistant Program emphasizes evidence-based medicine, informatics, critical decision making, interdisciplinary teamwork, and continuous quality improvement.

Students are led by a faculty of PAs, physicians, and other healthcare professionals in a stimulating learning environment of integrated didactic courses and a variety of clinical rotations under the guidance of a student-centered faculty.

Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant Program)


“Mercer’s Physician Assistant Program has

given me the tools necessary to not only

become a PA, but to become an excellent

one. I am honored and humbled to have

been chosen for the inaugural class of

PAs at Mercer because my presence in

this program has not only instilled in me

the knowledge to be a great healthcare

provider, but also the passion, compassion,

and generosity necessary to make a

difference for my patients, and my career.”

Lindsay Watters, PA-C, Class of 2010Inaugural PA class member who was selected for

one of five Postgraduate Surgical Residencies for Physician Assistants at Johns Hopkins Hospital

Clinical phase rotation sites include private practice offices, multi-specialty clinics, teaching hospitals, major healthcare systems, Veterans Affairs facilities, and Georgia Area Health Education Centers (AHEC). Clinical rotations throughout the Georgia AHECs provide students an opportunity to render care to underserved communities (e.g., homeless, non-English-speaking, immigrant, refugee, or those with cultural or financial barriers to health-care access) in rural or urban settings. Students engage in case-based studies and/or research as part of their Capstone project.


Mercer PA students are also actively involved outside the classroom. The Godsey-Matthews Student Society (a recognized student society of the American Academy of Physician Assistants) provides a multitude of opportunities for students to be involved in community outreach and leadership development activities.

Physician Assistant Program, continued


“As a Mercer PA Student and Godsey-

Matthews Society President, I have been

able to enrich my education through

service in the community via health fairs

and clinics, educate the youth about the

PA profession, and through participation

in interdisciplinary health projects,

broaden my knowledge of other health

care professions. It is through these

opportunities and my own experiences that

I have seen, first-hand, the strength and

uniqueness of the Mercer PA program.”

Tim WombacherPhysician AssistantClass of 2012

Inaugural Class Begins Practice

Our inaugural class of Physician Assistant students graduated in May 2010. They are already making a difference in patients’ lives in a variety of practice settings, which include:

; Bariatric Surgery

; Cardiovascular Medicine

; Emergency Medicine

; Infectious Diseases

; Internal Medicine

; Interventional Radiology

; Orthopaedics

; Plastic Surgery

; Rheumatology

; Spinal Surgery

; Vascular Surgery

; Women’s Health

Participation in Mercer’s Residency in

Orthopaedic Physical Therapy has fostered

and accelerated my growth into an

excellent, clinical reasoning therapist.

With a strong focus on professional

advocacy, evidence-based practice, social

responsibility, and life-long learning, I

have been able to more efficiently and

effectively treat my patients resulting in

better clinical outcomes. It is an honor

and a pleasure to be a part of Mercer’s

Physical Therapy program and the first

university-based Orthopaedic residency

program in Georgia.

Adrianna Nebedum, PT, DPT2010 Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Resident


Doctor of Physical Therapy Two factors drive the Doctor of Physical Therapy program: a distinguished faculty with a national reputation, and the College’s vision to become nationally recognized as a leader in physical therapy practice, education, and research. Our mission is to prepare doctors of physical therapy who will be advocates for the health promotion of individuals and society, dedicated to patient/client-centered clinical excellence, life-long professional development, and scholarly activities.

Students engage in close collaboration with faculty, as well as coordination and consultation with other healthcare professionals, government agencies, and educational systems. Active research programs are focused on myofascial pain and trigger points, anatomical studies, mobility methods of children with cerebral palsy, and community–based initiatives to reduce falls in older adults.


Physical Therapy Residency

The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences now offers a residency in orthopaedic physical therapy. This residency program enables the physical therapist to accelerate their expertise in evaluation, examination, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, and management of patients with orthopaedic dysfunction.


Financial AssistanceThe Princeton Review has named Mercer University a “Best Value” for its excellent academics and “relatively low costs of attendance.” U.S. News & World Report has put Mercer on list of “Great Schools, Great Prices.” There’s a reason for these rankings: Mercer relies heavily on its own resources, donations and endowments to furnish each student with a superior education.

The University makes significant contributions to the funding of scholarships, and has secured institutional scholarship support for exemplary students. Typically 85 percent of our students receive financial aid, usually in some combination of scholarships, loans, grants and part-time employment.

Mercer’s Student Financial Planning Office will help you with the financial aid process, providing both information and assistance. For more information, please visit http://atlanta.merceraid.com.

“A college education

represents one of the most

precious opportunities

in our society. Mercer

University is committed to

helping reduce the cost

of higher education, thus

lightening the financial

burdens on our students

and their families.”

William D. UnderwoodPresident, Mercer University

Closing Thoughts Thank you for your interest in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Mercer University. For more than a century, our school has been committed to providing the best education possible in a setting where every student matters and every person counts. Now that you’ve had a brief glimpse of COPHS, I’d like to extend a personal invitation for you to visit Mercer and learn more. I can promise you a friendly welcome, as well as an in-depth look into the factors that steadily attract talented students and world-acclaimed faculty to our campus.

In the meantime, I encourage you to visit our website at http://cophs.mercer.edu for more information about the programs, people and excellence that have built our reputation—and generated an outstanding body of graduates.

We look forward to seeing you, and to making the next step in your educational growth a highly rewarding experience.

Sincerely,

Hewitt W. “Ted” Matthews, Ph.D. Dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciencesand Vice President for the Health Sciences



We welcome your inquiries. To learn more about our programs and admissions requirements, please visit our website at http://cophs.mercer.edu. We welcome your inquiries and interest, and look forward to talking and visiting with you. If you’d like to arrange a campus tour or attend an Information Session, please call (678) 547-6232, or email:

Doctor of Pharmacy:

[email protected]

Doctor of Philosophy:

[email protected]

Doctor of Physical Therapy:

[email protected]

Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant):

[email protected]

3001 Mercer University Drive, Suite PAC-121Atlanta, Georgia 30341-4415

(678) 547-6232http://cophs.mercer.edu

College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

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