G.O.L.D. P a g e | 1

Gamma

Omicron

Literary

Dose

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

School of Pharmacy

Princess Anne, MD

G.O.L.D. P a g e | 2

Table of Contents

Foreword by the WCC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Spooky Good Times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Omaha Grand Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

MARC 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Faculty Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Academic Excellence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Therapeutic Suggestions and Positive Outcomes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

G.O.L.D. P a g e | 3

Looking Back to Move Forward

I have learned a great deal about Brotherhood and leadership in my first semester serving as the

WCC for the Gamma Omicron chapter of Phi Delta Chi. It takes the collective efforts moving in unity to

accomplish any sort of change in which we can take pride. Throughout the first semester we endured

many trials and tribulations, but we persevered to re-emerge as a better chapter because of it. After a

disappointing pledge turnout in the fall semester we had an excellent pledge group in the spring. It is in

this regard that we can look back to see what did and didn’t work and how we can improve our chapter

with another infusion of eager students in the coming semester. None of our chapter’s continued

success would be possible without the help and support of the faculty and I would like to take just a

moment to recognize them all, but

special “thanks” goes out to Dr.

Parmar, Dr. Tejada, Dr. Sisca and Dr.

Twigg for remaining strong supporters

to the fraternity and being outstanding

examples of what it means to be a

Brother. I look forward to another

strong year in advancing this chapter to

be the best it can be.

Alterum Alterius Auxilio Eget,

Ryan J. Hines #66 – Worthy Chief

Counselor

Brothers of Phi Delta Chi after the school’s awards ceremony.

G.O.L.D. P a g e | 4

Spooky Good Times By Ryan Hines, WCC, Class of 2016

Brother, Eric Barbye Brother, Krish Shah Brother, Liz Eddy

On Friday October 25th we hosted our First Annual Phi Delta Chi Halloween Bash at Monkey

Barrel in Salisbury, Maryland. The event was an outstanding success and a great way for students to

unwind after the rigors of yet another bi-weekly assessment. Specifically, we are excited to have

established our first trademark event, to be hosted annually, that is unique to Gamma Omicron. The

event raised over $200 for our chapter in only its inaugural run. With another year of preparations and

testimony of other students about how much fun it was the year before, the event should be even

bigger and better this coming year. Come join us!

G.O.L.D. P a g e | 5

Gamma Omicron Travels to Omaha!

By Eric Barbye, PharmD, Class of 2014

In August 2013, Brother Nithin Stephen and I represented the Gamma Omicron Chapter at the

69th Grand Council in Omaha, Nebraska. Our first thought when planning this trip was, “What are we

going to do in OMAHA?!” Well, Omaha, you delivered. And we made memories that will surely last a

lifetime.

First, we got down to business. We brought boxes of t-shirts to sell at the Chapter Showcase,

and they were a big hit! (Special shout-out to those of you who bought one! AAAE!) This also gave us a

chance to meet Brothers from all across the country. I was able to reconnect with Brothers – some of

whom I hadn’t seen for over a year since the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference in Johnson City,

Tennessee. We were also able to pick up some pretty sweet swag from the other Chapters in

attendance.

The days that followed presented numerous opportunities to become involved in workshops,

committees, and other courses to help build our Chapter. Nithin and I brought back some fresh ideas to

the Eastern Shore that have helped us grow as a newer Chapter. We also were the only Chapter to

receive 90% Achievement through the Achievement Awards Program, and this was just the motivation

we needed to make sure we worked hard towards 100% Achievement for 2013-2014!

Perhaps most importantly, though, were the times we shared with Brothers outside of the

scheduled Fraternity programming. Nithin and I explored the Omaha Zoo with Brothers from Alpha

Delta and our buddy chapter Alpha Gamma. We spent countless hours at local establishments in

Omaha, including bonding with our other Maryland Brothers from Iota. The Gamma Theta Brothers

showed us some Hawaiian hospitality (Mahalo!), and we even spent some time with the legendary

Ralph Saroyan from Alpha Psi!

G.O.L.D. P a g e | 6

If you’re reading this and haven’t attended a national Phi Dex event, I strongly encourage you to

start planning (and saving!) for next year’s event. I forged lifelong friendships at #PDCGC2013 (Mom,

was that the official hashtag?) and I can’t wait to see you all again!

(P.S.: If you heard the story of Josh Brunet (Alpha Delta) and I going to the wrong airport in D.C.,

it is unfortunately a true story. Lesson learned: Always check your boarding pass!)

Eric, Chef Boyardee, & Nithin “BRO-maha” Hospitality!

G.O.L.D. P a g e | 7

Big and Little travel to Nashville for MARC2014! By Brandy Inkrote, PharmD Candidate, Class of 2015

‘Little’ Dallas Tolbard and ‘Big’ Brandy Inkrote

The weekend right after APhA’s Annual Convention, Dallas Tolbard and I were back on the road

travelling-this time to Nashville, TN for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference. This was my first regional

PhiDex event and I’m glad I was able to experience it.

We flew down on Friday, April 4th and got there in time to help assist with the Gamma Omega

chartering at Lipscomb University. We witnessed as 52 brothers were initiated in about 4 hours! It was

great to meet new Brothers who joined our PhiDex family but it was even better to see Brothers from

other schools that we don’t normally get to see. This was my first time going to Nashville so of course I

took in the sights! It was a relief knowing that despite visiting a new city there was always an eager

Brother who wanted to hang out with you and show you their town.

I attended meetings that helped me better understand how our chapter should be functioning

and was able to share ideas with Brothers from other schools. In the end each chapter may want to win

the Thurston Cup but everyone is helpful in giving hints on how we can all make the most of our own

chapters. AAAE!

Hopefully Gamma Omicron can live up to expectations and be great hosts when it’s our turn to

host MARC 2016!

G.O.L.D. P a g e | 8

Faculty Spotlight By Keesha Fazenbaker, WC, Class of 2016

Phi Dex gained a phenomenal new Brother, and we are so proud to have the opportunity to

welcome her into the Gamma Omicron family. It is with great pleasure that we announce her recent

accomplishments in a formal article, shown below. Dr. Patrice Jackson-Ayotunde, PhD has recently

received numerous prestigious awards and we must say, she is very deserving of every bit of

recognition—we have personally seen her dedication to research. We have also been privileged to

witness her true passion for advancing the science of pharmacy, as

displayed in the classroom as well as in her willingness to develop

students’ interest and strength in knowledge by making herself

available for questions or reviewing material if further understanding is

sought. Congratulations and well done, Brother!

Patrice Jackson-Ayotunde, an assistant professor of pharmaceutical

sciences at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of

Pharmacy and Health Profession, received the 2013 Invention of the

Year Award from the Office of Technology Commercialization at the

University of Maryland at College Park. Dr. Jackson-Ayotunde, who shares the award with one of her

former graduate students, Dr. Tawes Harper, PharmD, was honored for their research on a new class of

compounds to treat epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a chronic syndrome that is characterized by brief spontaneous recurrent seizures. It is known

that about 1 in every 26 Americans will be diagnosed with epilepsy at some point in their lifetime. Despite

the optimal use of available antiepileptic drugs, 25-40% of patients are still considered to be refractory to

existing therapies. That leaves a significant portion of the population without adequate treatment and a

great need for the development of new treatments to help these patients. That’s what motivates Jackson-

Ayotunde to be an educator-researcher.

The College Park campus’ Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) sponsors the annual Invention of

the Year Awards program, now in its 27th year. In 2013, it received 154 nominations and from that group,

11 were chosen as finalists based on their impact on science, society and market potential.

G.O.L.D. P a g e | 9

Earlier this year, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy named Dr. Jackson-Ayotunde a “New

Investigator Award” winner, which included a $10,000 grant to help underwrite her ongoing epilepsy

research work. And in the April of this year Dr. Jackson-Ayotunde was nominated by her peers and

selected to receive the UMES Promising Scholar Award. She was presented with the award during the 5th

Annual UMES Regional Research Symposium by Drs. Dennis Killian (Interim Dean, SOP) and Keane-Dawes

(Dean, Graduate School).

Dr. Jackson-Ayotunde is a graduate of LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis, Tennessee. She earned a

master’s degree in organic chemistry from Tennessee State University and a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical

sciences at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

G.O.L.D. P a g e | 10

Academic Awards By Ryan Hines, WCC, Class of 2016

The Brothers of Phi Delta Chi were bestowed numerous awards this year at the annual school-

wide Awards Ceremony. Two of the three graduates to earn Summa Cum Laude were from PDC! Third

year Brother, Avraham Failaev, was named Valedictorian of the graduating class, and Brother Keith

Larson was also awarded Summa Cum Laude. First year Brother Ryan Hines was awarded the high GPA

of the first year class. Second year Brothers Mark Church, Ross Jones and Rachael McWilliams were

accepted into the inaugural class of the honor society Rho Chi. We strive for excellence at Gamma

Omicron!

Phi Delta Chi brothers in the inaugural class of Rho Chi. Back row from left to right – Keith Larson(P3), Ryan Wagener(P2), Mark Church(P2), Deangelo Price(Graduate). Front row from left to right – Ross Jones (P2), Rachael McWilliams (P2), Avraham Failaev

(P3).

G.O.L.D. P a g e | 11

Therapeutic Suggestions and Positive Outcomes By Keesha Fazenbaker, WC, Class of 2016

Jumping on board as Worthy Correspondent, I have agreed to become a part of the direct care

team for Gamma Omicron. There are a few important observations I’ve made about the condition of our

chapter: young in age, appearing scattered or distracted at times, and sometimes experiencing difficulty

in completing tasks. The chief complaint of Gamma Omicron is that there is a lack of time and energy

within the rigorous schedule of a year-round pharmacy school curriculum.

After analyzing great progress within the previous year and noticing advancements in areas such

as fundraising, finances, service and philanthropy, and recruitment, my therapeutic suggestion is to

continue the current regimen! With a top-line executive board eager to implement changes, many new

Brothers with fresh ideas for the upcoming year, and a large interest in the general student body to

become a Brother of Phi Delta Chi, Gamma Omicron is sure to emerge as a stronger and more focused

chapter. By establishing better means of communication, delegating tasks to evenly spread the

workload across Brothers, and more efficiently creating a schedule of events, the chapter will certainly

decrease the risk of becoming distracted or experiencing a loss of flexibility within the schedule.

I have been so privileged to oversee the growth of something that has become so dear to my

heart. I have invested many efforts to positively change Gamma Omicron, not realizing that in this

process it changes myself as well. I have learned so much about leadership and commitment in just my

few months of service. Here at Gamma Omicron, we all have been able to strengthen our skills as

leaders and professionals in pharmacy, all while strengthening the bond of Brotherhood. Until next year,

AAAE!