June 11, 2021
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy recognized four of its faculty members for their excellence in and commitment to teaching, service and research during its annual faculty retreat.
“Our stellar faculty and research scientists go above and beyond to advance the mission of our school and profession,” said David D. Allen, dean of the School of Pharmacy. “It’s truly a privilege to have the opportunity to recognize their efforts.”
Kayla Stover
Kayla Stover, associate professor of pharmacy practice, received the Faculty Instructional Innovation Award, which honors cutting-edge teaching techniques.
Stover implemented a simulated rounding experience to enhance her Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience rotation. Students were asked to review the medical record of a patient and prepare a therapeutic plan, giving students the chance to hone their patient care abilities in a safe environment while building valuable interprofessional relationships.
The response from students and faculty was overwhelmingly positive and the experience will be offered again in the 2021-2022 academic year.
Jordan Ballou
The Faculty Service Award was given to Jordan Ballou, clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice, for her support for the school and profession.
Ballou is an active member of national and state organizations. She currently serves as chair of the Non-Prescription Medicine Academy OTC Jeopardy Committee, as well as chair of the Mississippi Pharmacists Association New Practitioners Committee. She was also president of the Phi Lambda Sigma National Honor Society.
Ballou is a community practitioner at Tyson Drugs. Her efforts there include leading the development and growth of immunizations services. Ballou’s work made a difference in the state’s COVID-19 immunization drive, which saw the store deliver more than 500 vaccines over the course of five weeks.
Joshua Sharp
Joshua Sharp, associate professor of pharmacology, was recognized for his research with the Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. Faculty Research Award.
Sharp has secured funding for numerous projects during his time with the school. Among those was a $7.5 million grant to establish the Glycoscience Center of Research Excellence, which he serves as director. GlyCORE supports glycoscience investigators through direct funding of research projects, while providing new researchers with opportunities for mentorship and networking.
Sharp’s writing has also been widely noticed by his peers. Cited more than 1,400 times, Sharp has published more than 60 papers, with 15 appearing in the past three years.
Sujith Ramachandran
The New Investigator Award was presented to Sujith Ramachandran, assistant professor of pharmacy administration, for his contributions to the school and research.
Ramachandran joined the school in 2017, and has made a big impact in that time. He is the principal investigator on numerous funded projects, including two awards funded through the Pharmacy Quality Alliance. Ramachandran also serves as a co-investigator on a project researching opioid use in older adults that has received funding from the National Institutes of Health.
Ramachandran has authored or co-authored 20 peer-reviewed journal articles over the past three years, one of which received an award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. He mentors student pharmacists by serving on numerous dissertation and thesis committees.