FERRIS PHARMACISTS RECEIVE AWARD

Heather VandenBussche of Kalamazoo and Michael Klepser of Portage received the Best Public Awareness Initiative Award from the Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP) at their Annual Meeting, Nov. 12, in Lansing, Mich.

This award is given annually to a pharmacy professional or group of pharmacy professionals who have contributed to public health awareness. The two pharmacists received the award for spearheading the development of a poison prevention video for young children. VandenBussche and Klepser coordinated the project, which used puppets and actors to promote poison prevention measures. The program was created in both DVD and VHS formats and has been viewed by many Kalamazoo-area daycare and preschool groups. Additionally, it was distributed to several physician clinics, elementary schools and hospital pharmacy departments. An audio-only version of the script is also being developed for use in conjunction with a live puppet show. The project was supported by Bronson Methodist Hospital and the Kalamazoo County SafeKids Coalition.

VandenBussche is an associate professor with Ferris State University whose practice location is Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. In addition to belonging to the Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) and MSHP, VandenBussche is also a member of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the MPA Public Affairs Committee. VandenBussche received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Michigan in 1995.

Klepser is a professor with Ferris State University who practices at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He is a member of MPA, MSHP and the Pharmacy Political Action Council Board of Directors. Klepser received his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Michigan in 1992.

MSHP is a practice section that consists of over 600 of the Michigan Pharmacists Association's 3,500 members. Since its founding in 1883, the Michigan Pharmacists Association has been a leader in the professional and scientific advancement of pharmacy and in safeguarding the well-being of the individual patient in Michigan.

 

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