Long Island University’s Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and
Health Sciences to Hold 120th Commencement
514 Degrees to be Awarded during May 15 Ceremony on Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus

Brooklyn, N.Y. –On May 15, 2009, more that 500 degree candidates will graduate from Long Island University’s Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, prepared to take on the challenges of a field that continues to grow and evolve. Equipped with master’s and doctoral degrees, the new graduates will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a broad array of pharmacy and health- and research-related careers, including those that involve aging populations.

“The rigorous education and training received by our graduates will ensure that they can contribute to addressing the medication needs of the Medicare population, which is expected to double over the next 20 years. They are uniquely positioned to manage drug therapy for chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and arthritis,” said David R. Taft, dean of the College of Pharmacy. “Our nation spends more than $177 billion per year to treat adverse events from inappropriate medication use. As the debate over health care reform continues, our Pharm.D. graduates will be well prepared to assume a greater role in helping patients to make better use of their medications and in achieving optimal therapeutic outcomes.”

The 120th commencement ceremony will take place at 1:00 p.m. on the athletic field at Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus. University President David J. Steinberg will confer 297 Master of Science degrees, 214 Pharm.D. degrees and three Ph.D. degrees. Dean Taft will administer the traditional Oath of a Pharmacist to the graduating students.

The valedictorian for the Class of 2009 is Krista Michele DeLissio. The 24-year-old Staten Island resident is graduating summa cum laude and will receive the College’s Gold Medal, the Merck Award for outstanding performance in medical physiology, pathophysiology and biochemistry, and the Shirley Kraus Research Award.

Roger L. Williams, M.D., the chief executive officer of United States Pharmacopeia (USP), an official public standards-setting authority for all prescription and over-the-counter medicines and other health care products manufactured or sold in the United States, will receive an honorary Doctor of Science degree and will serve as the commencement speaker. Dr. Williams, a board-certified internist and clinical pharmacologist, provides strategic leadership for USP and oversees more than 600 staff members. In addition, he serves as chair of USP’s Council of Experts, which continuously revises the United States Pharmacopeia-National Formulary (USP–NF) and the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC). He also serves as USP’s lead representative for international activities and outreach efforts. During his tenure, Dr. Williams has been an effective liaison between the organization and the many professional groups that share its public health mission, building strong public programs that have enabled USP to expand its efforts both nationally and internationally.

Martin Sperber, the retired chairman and chief executive officer of Schein Pharmaceutical, Inc., will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters. Under Mr. Sperber’s direction, Schein Pharmaceutical’s revenue grew from nearly $40 million to $500 million, and it became one of the leading manufacturers of generic drugs, offering more than 1,500 prescription and over-the-counter drugs and vitamin products through a network of franchised wholesalers. Mr. Sperber played a leadership role in the launch of Schein’s first private-branded products in 1992 and also guided the company through its initial public offering in 1998. He remained at its helm until 2000, retiring after Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., acquired the company for $700 million. Mr. Sperber, who is a University trustee, also served as the chancellor of the College of Pharmacy from 2006-2008.

Three individuals will be recognized with the Daniel Stateman Distinguished Alumni Award. Michael Fedida ’72, ’75 (M.S.), is the president and owner of J&J Pharmacies. In recent years, he expanded those operations, opening an HIV specialty service, J&J St. Michael's Pharmacy, at St. Michael's Medical Center in Newark, N.J., and a pain management specialty pharmacy, J&J State Street Pharmacy, in Hackensack, N.J. Mr. Fedida also plays active roles in the industry and in his community. He is a consultant for pharmaceutical companies in the United States and overseas and is on the Board of Directors of Watson Pharmaceuticals. Previously, he served on the Boards of Bolar Pharmaceuticals, Circa Pharmaceuticals and Bradley Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Fedida joined the College of Pharmacy Council of Overseers in 2006.

Vickie Ferdinand-Powell '93 is site director of pharmacy at Columbia University Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian, the University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell, where she oversees 298 pharmacists, technicians, interns, attendants and other staff members, and has overall responsibility for 1,200 beds and eight outpatient clinics. She recently was elected president of the 1,800-member New York State Council of Health-system Pharmacists. She also is a member of the Board of Directors for the College of Pharmacy Alumni Association.

Robert J. Fuentes ’79 (M.S.) is senior director, medical information/medical affairs, MedImmune, LLC, one of the largest companies in the biotechnology industry. At MedImmune, Dr. Fuentes provides expertise in the pharmaceutical aspects of viral diseases, transplantation and oncology, and assists with intelligence and strategic planning. He developed MediSMART, a state-of-the-art database management system, and initiated a post-Pharm.D., one-year medical information residency program. Dr. Fuentes also is the co-author of the highly respected Athletic Drug Reference, now in its sixth edition.

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Posted: May 5, 2009