Our annual information session on the Plein Certificate in Geriatrics was held on October 23, 2015 during all-student-hour. Dr. Leigh Ann Mike, a clinical assistant professor and coordinator for the Plein Certificate, graciously led this presentation for a second time. The purpose of this session is to provide students with more information on the benefits of this certificate and the application process.
The Plein Certificate is a supplemental program which provides PharmD students with the knowledge and training to treat the geriatric population. As the number of elderly adults is ever increasing, it is crucial for pharmacists to know how to appropriately care for this patient population. Students will gain the skills to manage complicated medication regimens and in turn improve health outcomes of geriatric patients. For instance, pharmacists play a crucial role in minimizing adverse medication events, reducing duplicate therapy, improving medication adherence, and more. The skills and knowledge accrued from this program are versatile and can be utilized in all pharmacy practice settings.
The curriculum for this certificate program was modified as of Autumn 2015. Students admitted to this program are now required to complete 14 credits of required course work and 1 credit of electives. Among the required coursework is a pharmacotherapy course in geriatrics and a fourth year APPE rotation with emphasis on geriatrics. To apply, students must be in their second year of pharmacy school or later and have completed the application by the deadline.
All in all, the information session was a success. There was a good turnout of attendees interested in this program, especially students in the first-year class. Dr. Mike was highly informative, sharing her insight both in her presentation and a question-and-answer session during the last part of the meeting. The Plein Certificate information session has become a yearly tradition for ASCP-UW, and we will continue coordinating this educational event to kick-start the new school year.
University of Washington School of Pharmacy
UW Student ASCP Chapter
Box 357631
Seattle, WA 98195-7631
