News from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 

UAMS Now Offers Online
Nuclear Pharmacy Education

JAN. 4, 2001 | The College of Pharmacy (CoP) and College of Health Related Professions (CHRP) at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) have collaborated with the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy to establish an online certification program in nuclear pharmacy.

The joint Nuclear Education Online Program will use web-based learning technology with local preceptors to increase the availability and accessibility of education for students and pharmacists interested in this specialty.

“Currently, about 20 pharmacy graduates enter nuclear pharmacy each year while the demand for pharmacists with training in this specialty is approximately 100 annually. Recruiting and training a pharmacist in this specialty is difficult and expensive,” said Jeff Norenberg, Pharm. D., BCNP, assistant professor of pharmacy at the UNM College of Pharmacy.

“In traditional programs, many hours of time must be spent away from home. In contrast, the Nuclear Education Online program will provide this training in an effective and efficient manner without regard to locale,” he said.

Nuclear pharmacy is a branch of pharmacy that develops and studies diagnostic and therapeutic radioactive compounds. The discipline concerns the preparation, dispensing and monitoring of radioactive drugs that are designed to detect and treat certain diseases in people.

Both universities are nationally recognized for excellence in their nuclear pharmacy programs. CHRP has a well-defined educational program in Nuclear Medicine Technology and has already successfully presented web-based course material by distance learning technology to university students in several other states.

Internet technology will enable faculty of the two universities to offer classes to students across the country and even around the world. The new educational program will be available in March to pharmacy students as well as to practicing pharmacists who seek additional specialty training for nuclear pharmacy practice.

The program involves 200 hours of education and 500 hours of experiential training. Upon completing the program, students will be eligible for certification by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The student-centered curriculum will include interactive web-based course materials, discussion groups, preceptor-led activities and problem-based learning case studies. The cases will be based on actual clinical imaging studies and pharmacy situations.

The Nuclear Education Online program is directed by William Hadley, Ph.D., dean of UNM College of Pharmacy; Larry D. Milne, Ph.D., dean of the UAMS College of Pharmacy; and Ronald H. Winters, Ph.D., dean of the UAMS College of Health Related Professions. In addition to Norenberg, other participating faculty members include Nicki Hilliard, Pharm.D., BCNP; Paul Mann, Ph.D.; Martha Pickett, CNMT; Buck Rhodes, Ph.D.; Paul Thaxton, CNMT; Kristina Wittstrom, R.Ph., BCNP; and trained preceptors in the field.

The 10-week training program will be offered four times per year. Information about registration is available at the program's web site.

Links in this Article

UAMS College of Pharmacy: www.uams.edu/cop/default.htm

UAMS College of Health Related Professions: www.uams.edu/chrp

University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy: hsc.unm.edu/pharmacy

Nuclear Education Online Program: www.nuclearonline.org

web site: www.nuclearonline.org

08/04/03