Overview
The six-year accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program provides direct entry from high school and includes a two-year liberal arts and sciences phase followed by a four-year professional phase, ensuring that graduates are critical thinkers, capable professionals and compassionate caregivers.
MCPHS is now offering a five-year accelerated PharmD program in conjunction with our Worcester and Manchester campuses, providing forward-thinking students the option to advance their education and expedite their professional pharmacy careers.
Program Highlights
- Full-time, six-year professional degree program
- Open to incoming freshmen and transfer students
- Fall semester start
- 0-6 pharmacy PharmD program guarantees students a spot in the program without requiring the PCAT exam
- Includes an extensive experiential education program
- Option to transfer to the 5-Year Accelerated PharmD Pathway
Program Details
The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) 6-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree program educates students to become critical thinkers and responsible health care professionals as well as practicing pharmacists.
Preprofesssional Phase (2 years)
The direct-entry, six-year program starts with a two-year curriculum that combines the liberal arts, communications, and basic sciences with pharmaceutical sciences and clinical applications.
Professional Phase (4 years)
Students entering the program in the preprofessional phase who achieve a 2.7 GPA and successfully interview move seamlessly into the professional phase. Transfer students who wish to enter the PharmD program during the second or third years must apply through the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) at www.pharmcas.org.
Professional Phase (3 years) - 5-year Accelerated PharmD Pathway
Students in the six-year PharmD program may elect to apply for the 5-Year Accelerated PharmD Pathway and complete their degree in three years by transferring to the Worcester or Manchester campus after their initial two years of study in Boston. Interested students are eligible to apply after one and a half years in the PharmD program, provided they have a minimum GPA of 3.2 and submit an internal application of intent. (Students with these qualifications will receive a guaranteed interview). The five-year pathway is the same program as the six-year PharmD, but features a year-round, concentrated curriculum in the professional phase. Upon transferring to Worcester/Manchester, students will take classes over two summer terms, and enroll in six classes each fall instead of five. Newly enrolled, as well as current first- and second-year MCPHS students are eligible to apply. The transfer process is seamless— MCPHS-Boston students will maintain their existing scholarships.
During their final year, students complete an extensive experiential education program: 36 weeks of clinical rotations covering inpatient medicine, institutional pharmacy, ambulatory care, and community pharmacy at more than 1,000 partners throughout the Northeast and across the country. These partners include community pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, and retail pharmacies.
Curriculum
Year I-Fall
COURSE |
TITLE |
SEMESTER HOURS |
BIO 151 |
Biology I: Cellular and Molecular Biology |
3 |
CHE 131 |
Chemical Principles I (w/lab) |
4 |
FYS 101 |
First Year Seminar* |
1 |
LIB 111 |
Expository Writing I |
3 |
LIB 120 |
Introduction to Psychology |
3 |
MAT 150 |
Precalculus** or |
3 |
MAT 151 |
Calculus I |
|
TOTAL |
|
17 |
*Students entering after freshman year are not required to take this course.
**If placed in Precalculus, the student receives 3 s.h. of general elective credit.
Year I-Spring
COURSE |
TITLE |
SEMESTER HOURS |
BIO 152 |
Biology II: Biology of Organisms (w/lab) |
4 |
CHE 132 |
Chemical Principles II (w/lab) |
4 |
LIB 112 |
Expository Writing II |
3 |
LIB 133 |
American Culture, Identity and Public Life |
3 |
MAT 151/152 |
Calculus I or Calculus II |
3 |
TOTAL |
|
17 |
Year II-Fall
COURSE |
TITLE |
SEMESTER HOURS |
BIO 255 |
Medical Microbiology (w/lab) |
4 |
CHE 231 |
Organic Chemistry I (w/lab) |
4 |
LIB 220 |
Introduction to Interpersonal Communication for Health Professionals*** |
(3) |
MAT 152 |
Calculus II or |
|
PHY 270 |
Foundations of Physics I*** |
(3) |
MAT 261 |
Statistics*** |
(3) |
SSC 210 |
Economics*** |
(2) |
|
Elective |
3 |
TOTAL |
|
16-17 |
Year II-Spring
COURSE |
TITLE |
SEMESTER HOURS |
CHE 232 |
Organic Chemistry II |
3 |
LIB 220 |
Introduction to Interpersonal Communication for Health Professionals*** |
(3) |
MAT 261 |
Statistics*** |
(3) |
PHY 270 |
Foundations of Physics I*** |
(3) |
SSC 210 |
Economics*** |
(2) |
|
Electives |
6 |
TOTAL |
|
14-15 |
***May be taken either semester
For students participating in the 5-Year Accelerated PharmD Pathway, please click here to review your curriculum.
Professional years III-IV
Classes of 2011 and beyond
Year III (First Professional Year)-Fall
COURSE |
TITLE |
SEMESTER HOURS |
PPB 325 |
Introduction to Practice Management I |
2 |
PSB 328 |
Physiology/Pathophysiology I |
4 |
PSB 331 |
Biochemistry I |
3 |
PSB 340 |
Pharmaceutics I |
4 |
PSB 343 |
Pharmaceutics Laboratory I |
1 |
PSB 320 |
Introduction to Health Care Delivery*** or |
|
|
Elective |
3 |
TOTAL |
|
17 |
Year III (First Professional Year)-Spring
COURSE |
TITLE |
SEMESTER HOURS |
PSB 329 |
Physiology/Pathophysiology II |
4 |
PSB 332 |
Biochemistry II |
3 |
PPB 335 |
Introduction to Practice Management II |
2 |
PSB 341 |
Pharmaceutics II |
3 |
PSB 344 |
Pharmaceutics Laboratory II |
1 |
PSB 424 |
Research Methods in Pharmacoepidemiology |
2 |
PSB 320 |
Introduction to Health Care Delivery*** or |
|
|
Elective |
3 |
TOTAL |
|
18 |
***May be taken either semester.
Year IV (Second Professional Year)-Fall
COURSE |
TITLE |
SEMESTER HOURS |
PPB 419 |
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience III |
2 |
PPB 485 |
Drug Literature Evaluation |
3 |
PSB 441 |
Medicinal Chemistry I |
3 |
PSB 451 |
Pharmacology I |
4 |
PPB 445 |
Therapeutics I |
3 |
PSB 450 |
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology |
3 |
TOTAL |
|
18 |
Year IV (Second Professional Year)-Spring
COURSE |
TITLE |
SEMESTER HOURS |
PPB 414 |
Virology and Anti-infectives |
4 |
PPB 446 |
Therapeutics II |
3 |
PSB 430 |
Pharmacokinetics I |
3 |
PSB 442 |
Medicinal Chemistry II |
3 |
PSB 454 |
Pharmacology II |
4 |
TOTAL |
|
17 |
Year V (Third Professional Year)-Fall
COURSE |
TITLE |
SEMESTER HOURS |
LIB 512 |
Health Care Ethics or elective **** |
3 |
PPB 519 |
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience IV |
1 |
PPB 502 |
OTC Drugs/Self Care |
3 |
PPB 545/545L |
Advanced Practice Management I (w/lab) |
2 |
PPB 555 |
Advanced Therapeutics I |
4 |
PPB 551 |
Advanced Therapeutics Seminar I |
1 |
PSB 432 |
Pharmacokinetics II |
3 |
TOTAL |
|
17 |
Year V (Third Professional Year)-Spring
COURSE |
TITLE |
SEMESTER HOURS |
LIB 512 |
Health Care Ethics or elective **** |
3 |
PPB 546/546L |
Advanced Practice Management II (w/lab) |
2 |
PPB 552 |
Advanced Therapeutics Seminar II |
1 |
PPB 556 |
Advanced Therapeutics II |
4 |
PSB 411 |
Pharmacy Law |
3 |
|
Professional elective |
3 |
TOTAL |
|
16 |
**** May be taken either semester
Year VI (Fourth Professional Year)
|
TITLE |
SEMESTER HOURS |
PPB 601C - 606C |
Advanced Pharmacy Experience Program Rotations |
36 |
TOTAL |
|
36 |
Total credits to complete degree*: 204
*Students entering the College after their freshman year are not required to take FYS 101 and, therefore, need 203 s.h. to complete the degree.
Sixth Year (Fourth Professional Year)
During the final year of study, PharmD students earn 36 credit hours by completing 36 weeks of advanced experiential rotations. The rotations start as early as May and run consecutively through late November or December. The rotations resume in January and finish in May.
Students are required to complete rotations in Inpatient Medicine, Institutional Pharmacy Practice, Ambulatory Care, and Community Pharmacy Practice. Additionally, students complete two elective rotations from areas such as administration, cardiology, community practice, critical care medicine, drug information, emergency medicine, gastroenterology, infectious diseases, nephrology, oncology/hematology, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, poison information, and psychiatry.
Elective rotations chosen by the student are reviewed by the coordinators of experiential education programs to determine whether the rotations provide appropriate emphasis and balance to the student's overall program and whether accommodations can be made at the sites. Scheduling of the rotations is completed by the coordinator of experiential programs and may be modified at the discretion of the coordinator.
Experiential Education
Rotations in Experiential Education are an essential component of professional education for all PharmD programs at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS). In a wide range of pharmacy settings, students learn to make decisions based on their professional knowledge and judgment. Students apply classroom learning, develop skills in a practice setting, and network with established clinical practitioners.
The College maintains relationships with a large number of qualified clinical sites throughout the United States but concentrated in New England. Rotations are supervised by College faculty, adjunct faculty, and practice preceptors, and may be scheduled at some distance from the campus.
Introductory through advanced professional experiences are part of all MCPHS PharmD programs:
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE):
- Designed to enable students to actively participate in a supervised program of pharmacy practice
- Lecture/lab course work and part-time rotations completed in a hospital or community site
Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE):
- Designed to provide PharmD students with in-depth practical experiences during their last professional year
- A series of 6-week full-time rotations completed during the final year in various practice settings
In order to provide a diverse range of learning experiences and ensure availability and quality of rotations sites, a number of required rotations may be scheduled at some distance from campus. Students are responsible for transportation and other travel expenses.
Please direct questions regarding Experiential Education to:
Paul DiFrancesco EdD
Assistant Dean of Pharmacy Experiential Education
617.732.2299
paul.difrancesco@mcphs.edu
Notice on Clinical Rotations and Background Screenings
For some of MCPHS's programs placements in clinical rotations at health care providers are a required part of the MCPHS curriculum. Some of those health care providers require background screenings and a conviction for a criminal offense might present an issue. It is possible that certain types of criminal convictions, whether prior to being a student at MCPHS or while attending MCPHS, could preclude a student from being able to complete a required clinical rotation. If you have any questions, please contact the MCPHS Chief Compliance Officer.
Technical Standards
Domain: Communications
Performance Standards
A) Must have functional English speaking, reading and writing abilities necessary to communicate clearly and professionally with faculty, staff, peers, patients, and health care professionals in a mature and professional manner that reflects the core values of the College.
B) Communication includes both verbal and non-verbal expression, reading, writing and computer skills
Essential Functions
- Ability to participate in class discussions/group projects/practical labs for the purpose of the delivery and receipt of medical information
- Ability to recognize both verbal and non-verbal communication including facial expressions and body language
- Ability to demonstrate awareness of and appropriately communicate both verbally and non-verbally
- Ability to report accurately and legibly in patients’ charts demonstrating the knowledge of the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar
- Ability to explain to other health care team members to patients and/or caregivers reason for treatment, preventive measures, disease process and need for referral
- Ability to use computers and other technology to accurately record information and convey critical health-related documentation
- Ability to recognize and respond to physical and psychological needs of patients
Domain: Intellectual/Performance Standards
A) Must have critical and logical thinking ability sufficient to engage in clinical judgment and problem solving to address issues and problems within all learning environments
B) Must have ability to multi-task and to perform work in a logical and sequential manner
Essential Functions
- Must be able to memorize, perform scientific measurement and calculation, reason, analyze, and synthesize information
- Demonstrate ability to retrieve (electronically and manually), read, understand, and interpret medical, scientific and professional information and literature
- Demonstrate the intellectual and reasoning abilities required to develop problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Demonstrate ability to learn effectively through a variety of modalities including, but not limited to classroom instruction, small group discussion, individual study of materials, preparation and presentation of written and oral reports, and use of computers and other technology
- Demonstrate ability to prioritize and complete tasks in laboratory, clinical, and patient care settings with time constraints
- Perform a variety of duties accurately, often changing from one task to another without loss of efficiency or composure
Domain: Behavioral/Social
Performance Standards
A) Must possess ability to interact with and relate to faculty, staff, peers, patients, and health care professionals in a mature and professional manner that reflects the core values of the College.
B) Demonstrate sensitivity to people from a variety of cultural backgrounds
C) Must possess ability to interact with and respond to needs of patients and caregivers from a variety of cultural backgrounds and with a diversity of emotional, intellectual and physical health issues
Essential Functions
- Must be of sufficient emotional and mental health to utilize fully intellectual abilities to exercise good judgment, to complete patient care responsibilities appropriately, and to relate to faculty, staff, peers, patients, and health care professionals with courtesy, compassion, maturity and respect for their dignity
- Must be able to effectively function when faced with the challenges and uncertainties in classroom, laboratories, and experiential settings
- Must accept constructive criticism and be able to respond and modify behavior accordingly
- Must be able to interact with faculty, staff, peers, patients, and members of the health care team in a mature and professional manner that reflects the core values of the College.
Domain: Visual/Auditory
Performance Standard
A) Must possess sufficient visual and auditory abilities to gather data from written reference material, oral presentations, illustrations, diagrams and patient observation
Essential Functions
- Ability to gather data from written reference material, computer-based programs, and from oral presentations
- Ability to observe and/or conduct demonstrations and experiments
- Ability to utilize various types of physical assessment skills required for patient-centered care including reading digital or analog representations of physiologic phenomena
- Ability to execute movements reasonably required to properly participate in the activities of a laboratory or an experiential rotation that are components of pharmacy practice
- Have vision sufficient to read and interpret prescriptions, prescription labels and drug labels
Domain: Tactile and Motor Competencies
Performance Standard
A) Must possess sufficient tactile and motor abilities to prepare pharmaceutical products, evaluate patients, and perform basic laboratory tests
Essential Functions
- Possess manual dexterity necessary to manipulate and control laboratory equipment and materials
- Possess manual dexterity sufficient to accurately compound and prepare pharmaceutical products for dispensing to patients
- Possess manual dexterity and sense of touch sufficient to perform basic patient assessments including, but not limited to palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers
- Possess sufficient manual dexterity to conduct laboratory diagnostic tests and administer non-oral medications
Accreditation
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences School of Pharmacy-Boston
The School of Pharmacy-Boston Doctor of Pharmacy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), 20 North Clark Street, Suite 2500, Chicago, IL 60602-5109; tel.: 312.664.3575, 800.533.3606; fax: 312.664.4652, website: www.acpe-accredit.org.Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) is chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is authorized to grant undergraduate and graduate degrees in the health sciences and related fields. MCPHS is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), Inc. through its Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.
For Transfers
MCPHS University welcomes students from other institutions. Any applicant to MCPHS University who has completed at least one semester of college coursework (12 credits or more) is considered to be a transfer applicant. Students who have been out of high school for more than two years are strongly encouraged to take math and science courses at another accredited college or university and then to apply for transfer to MCPHS University.
We welcome transfer applicants for the six-year PharmD program in Boston, although due to the competitive nature of our program, we have limited available slots for second and third-year transfer students. We encourage students with a passion for pharmacy that have already earned a BS or BA degree (or in the process of earning one) to apply for the Accelerated PharmD program offered on our Manchester, NH and Worcester, MA campuses where we have additional space, as well as state-of-the-art facilities and dynamic faculty.
The transfer requirements may be different for different MCPHS University programs. To find the requirements for transferring into this program, please click the link below.
Transfer Requirements for Pharmacy (PharmD) (Boston)
Program Members
David Albers -
Director, BS in Pharmacology & Toxicology program(P)617.879.5968 | david.albers@mcphs.edu
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Eman Atef -
Associate Professor of Pharmaceutics(P)617.732.2980 | eman.atef@mcphs.edu
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Josephine Babiarz -
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Administration(P)617.735.1083 | josephine.babiarz@mcphs.edu
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Cathy Basile -
Director, Community Pharmacy Experiences, Boston(P)617.732.2174 | cathy.basile@mcphs.edu
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Paul Belliveau -
Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)508.373.5656 | paul.belliveau@mcphs.edu
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Snehal Bhatt -
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)617.732.2085 | snehal.bhatt@mcphs.edu
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Michelle Ceresia -
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)617.732.2088 | michelle.ceresia@mcphs.edu
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Judy Cheng -
Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)617.732.2868 | judy.cheng@mcphs.edu
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Monica Chuong -
Associate Professor of Pharmaceutics(P)617.735.1104 | monica.chuong@mcphs.edu
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Maryann Cooper -
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)603.314.1737 | maryann.cooper@mcphs.edu
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Rebecca Couris -
Professor of Nutrition Science and Pharmacy(P)617.732.2971 | rebecca.couris@mcphs.edu
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Paul DiFrancesco -
Associate Dean of Pharmacy Experiential Education(P)617.732.2299 | paul.difrancesco@mcphs.edu
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Gerard D'Souza -
Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutics(P)617.735.1091 | gerard.d'souza@mcphs.edu
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Lana Dvorkin Camiel -
Director of Applied Natural Products Programs(P)617.732.2915 | lana.dvorkincamiel@mcphs.edu
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Khaled Elsaid -
Assistant Professor of Pharmacology/Toxicology(P)617.879.5943 | khaled.elsaid@mcphs.edu
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Erika Felix-Getzik -
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)617.732.2182 | erika.felix-getzik@mcphs.edu
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Joseph Ferullo -
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)617.732.2898 | joseph.ferullo@mcphs.edu
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Alice Gardner -
Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences(P)508.373.5665 | alice.gardner@mcphs.edu
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Kathy Grams -
Director of the Post BS Pharmacy PharmD Pathway(P)617.732.2830 | kathy.grams@mcphs.edu
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Christy Harris -
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)617.879.5909 | christy.harris@mcphs.edu
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Timothy Hudd -
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)617.732.2169 | timothy.hudd@mcphs.edu
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Susan Jacobson -
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)617.732.2743 | susan.jacobson@mcphs.edu
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Stephen Kerr -
Associate Professor of Medicinal Chemistry(P)617.732.2093 | stephen.kerr@mcphs.edu
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Dan Kiel -
Associate Professor of Pharmacology(P)617.732.2975 | dan.kiel@mcphs.edu
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Maria Kostka-Rokosz -
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)617.732.2094 | maria.kostka-rokosz@mcphs.edu
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Susan Krikorian -
Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)617.732.2295 | susan.krikorian@mcphs.edu
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Mariana Lapidus -
Reference and Instruction Librarian; Associate Professor(P)617.732.2246 | mariana.lapidus@mcphs.edu
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Trisha LaPointe -
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)617.732.2087 | trisha.lapointe@mcphs.edu
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Jayne Lepage -
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)508.373.5662 | jayne.lepage@mcphs.edu
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Matthew Machado -
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)617.732.2089 | matthew.machado@mcphs.edu
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Michael Malloy -
Dean(P)508.373.5611 | michael.malloy@mcphs.edu
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Michele Matthews -
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)617.879.5967 | michele.matthews@mcphs.edu
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William McCloskey -
Professor and Vice-Chair(P)617.732.2167 | william.mccloskey@mcphs.edu
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Amee Mistry -
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)617.732.2832 | amee.mistry@mcphs.edu
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Michael Montagne -
Senior Associate Dean of Pharmacy(P)617.732.2995 | michael.montagne@mcphs.edu
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Dhiren Patel -
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)617.879.5965 | dhiren.patel1@mcphs.edu
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Jacqueline Petrillo -
Assistant Professor Pharmacy Practice(P)617.732.2800 | jacqueline.petrillo@mcphs.edu
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Douglas Pisano -
Associate Provost for Pharmacy Education and Dean(P)617.732.2781 | douglas.pisano@mcphs.edu
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Dorothea Rudorf -
Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)617.732.2288 | dorothea.rudorf@mcphs.edu
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Tim Schartiger -
Technical Coordinator, Pharmacy Experiential Education, Boston(P)617.732.2140 | tim.schartiger@mcphs.edu
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David Schnee -
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)617.732.2092 | david.schnee@mcphs.edu
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Sheila Seed -
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)508.373.5622 | sheila.seed@mcphs.edu
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Alok Sharma -
Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences(P)603.314.1777 | alok.sharma@mcphs.edu
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Matthew Silva -
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)508.373.5669 | matt.silva@mcphs.edu
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Richard Silvia -
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)617.732.2802 | richard.silvia@mcphs.edu
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Donald Simard -
Instructor of Pharmaceutical Science(P)603.314.1702 | donald.simard@mcphs.edu
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Catherine Simonian -
Director, Institutional Experiences,(P)508.373.5683 | catherine.simonian@mcphs.edu
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Linda Spooner -
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)508.373.5696 | linda.spooner@mcphs.edu
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Kathy Zaiken -
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)617.732.2740 | kathy.zaiken@mcphs.edu
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Caroline Zeind -
Associate Dean for Professional and Academic Affairs(P)617.732.2238 | caroline.zeind@mcphs.edu
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Kristin Zimmerman -
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice(P)617.732.2827 | kristin.zimmerman@mcphs.edu
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