Clinical Pharmacy Training and Specialty
in Psychiatry and Neurology

With a 40+ year career in pharmacy, I have worked in a variety of healthcare settings (e.g., retail, hospital, outpatient, academia, research, consultation for mental health agencies and developmental disabilities) and as an expert witness in pharmacology and toxicology.

Major Fields of Interest - Psychiatry and Neurology (Neuropsychiatry) Pharmacy Practice

My primary clinical interests are the care of neuropsychiatric patients and in consulting on difficult-to-treat patients and those with co-morbid medical and psychiatric disorders. My clinical and research interests include autistic disorder, Tourette's disorder, eating disorders, women's mental health, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, perimenopause and menopausal mood disorders, geriatric psychopharmacology, pain management, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, and substance abuse disorders. Currently, my special interests include the relationship of nutrition, exercise, sleep and hormonal changes on neuropsychiatric disorders and the impact on neurotransmitter activity; polypharmacy of psychotropic agents; pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic drug interactions; gender differences in prescribing classes of psychotropic agents; the impact of folate and vitamin D deficiency on health; and tobacco cessation intervention programs.

Education/Training/Certification/Licensure

• University of Kansas: B.A. Biology, 1972; B.S. Pharmacy, 1974
• University of Arizona: M.S. Pharmacy, 1982; Residency in Psychiatry, 1982
• Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist (BCPP): 2000-2021
• Registered Pharmacist (RPh) in State of Arizona: 1980-present

Honors/Awards

• University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice
• Clinical Pharmacy Educator of the Year Award: 1988, 1993, 1997, 1999 (Nominated: 2005, 2010)
• The Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Southern Arizona (AMISA) Family Empowerment Award - Special Recognition Award for Service: 1995
• Fellow of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacist (FASHP) - Practitioner Recognition Program: 1997
• Arizona Pharmacy Association Innovative Pharmacy Practice Award: 1998
• Judith Saklad Memorial Award, College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists - Special Recognition Award for Service: 2003
• Arizona Pharmacist Alliance Exemplary Patient Care Award: 2008
• Arizona Pharmacy Association Pharmacy Appreciation Award: 2011
• Arizona Pharmacy Association Excellence in Innovation Award: 2015

Employment/Clinical Experiences

• Private consulting services: 1980-present
• University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice: Clinical Professor, 1982-2010
• Specialty in Psychiatry and Neurology
• Residency Director for Neuropsychiatry Pharmacy Practice: 1995-2004
• Clinical Practice Sites in Psychiatry:
• Southern Arizona Mental Health Center: 1982-1984
• Sonora Desert Hospital: 1990-1992
• Arizona Center for Clinical Management: 1992-1995
• Community Partnership of Southern Arizona: 1995-1998
• CODAC Behavioral Health: 1995-2002
• University Medical Center: 2004-2007
• University Physicians Healthcare Hospital: 2007-2010
• University of Arizona College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry: Clinical Assistant Professor, 1984-1990
• Clinical Practice Sites in Psychiatry: University Medical Center, Palo Verde Psychiatric Hospital, Kino Community Hospital, and Department of Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic
• University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health: Pharmacotherapy Specialist for Arizona Smokers’ Helpline, 2010-2014
• Cottonwood de Tucson: Relief Pharmacist, 2012-2015
• SinfoníaRx and The Assurance Health and Wellness Center: Medication Management Specialist, 2014