Pharmacy Perspectives - Winter 2012 - 7

students

Life Saver
When Virginia Locke passed out at work, P-4 Alex Rodriguez went into overdrive. “I did what I was P-4 Alex Rodriguez trained to do,” says Alex who checked for a pulse. “I didn’t find one, so I began compressions. She was gasping for air and seemed to be choking. I instinctively tilted her head back and she began to breathe.” Alex continued with CPR until EMTs arrived on scene. Alex was on his second week of his third rotation at Amerita Specialty Infusion Services, when the 79-yearold receptionist’s potassium levels dropped so low that she passed out and went into cardiac arrest. Alex’s

quick response – and that of others in the area – is credited with saving Virginia’s life. In addition to performing CPR, the group used their bodies to shade Virginia from scorching temperatures. In serious condition when she arrived at Sky Ridge Medical Center, Virginia received therapeutic hypothermia to help prevent brain injury. “I don’t remember anything. All I know is that they cooled my body for at least 24 hours and then slowly brought me back to room temperature,” recalls Virginia. Once stabilized, they moved Virginia to St. Joseph’s Hospital where she received a pace maker and defibrillator. “Without the quick response, I could have had severe brain damage.” Alex acknowledges CPR instructor Georgia Priestley and adrenaline for his reaction. “I was really glad I knew what to do and had the skills to do it. I didn’t think twice and just jumped in and started doing what Georgia taught us to do.” Alex has taken Georgia’s CPR class, which is held at Anschutz Medical Campus, several times and says, “This class truly perfected my CPR skills and prepared me for this day.”

AccordiNg To 2010 AmericAN HeArT AssociATioN dATA:
Out-of -hospital cardiac arrest affects up to Of those who survive

295,000 people
each year in the U.S.

7 percent
survive

Less than

twothirds
suffer neurologic impairment

Therapeutic hypothermia
involves decreasing the body’s core temperature in an attempt to protect the brain from neurologic injury after cardiac arrest. Cooling interrupts the injury to the brain.

“That Day” as Alex calls it has reconfirmed his passion for health care. He intends to pursue a PGY1 residency next year post-graduation and is interested in cardiology and critical care.

PhD candidate Chuan-Hsin Chang discusses her research

In honor of our School’s 100th anniversary, the Centennial Scholarship fund has been established with the goal of raising at least $100,000. If successful, the monies will help cover a significant portion of a year’s education for a student from each PharmD class, one PhD and a Non-traditional PharmD student. Did you know that a $30 donation from each alumnus would more than reach our goal? Scholarships will be awarded at the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year. Centennial Scholars will be recognized during the Skaggs Symposium (Sept. 2012).

DOPS Graduate Students Host Research Symposium
For the second year in a row, graduate students from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences organized, hosted and emceed the Graduate Student Research Symposium. Supported by the Harold C. Heim Fund for Research and Graduate Education, the one-day Symposium held Jan. 12 on the Anschutz Medical Campus showcased research being conducted by our students. Consisting of twelve, 20-minute research presentations and 30 poster presentations, the Symposium closed with four students receiving $200 awards for their presentations. The students singled out for their efforts were Rolando DeAngelis and James Barnard for their podium presentations, and Jim Galligan and Rajendra Kadam for their poster presentations.

I Gave.

Norm Fenn, student

Donate to the fund, now. Visit www.cufund.org/ Pharmacy100th Anniv

Winter 2012

http://www.cufund.org/Pharmacy100thAnniv http://www.cufund.org/Pharmacy100thAnniv

Pharmacy Perspectives - Winter 2012

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