Happily ever after: Alums who gained more than degrees

If you were to script a romantic comedy set within the Wayne State University Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, you might not choose a gross anatomy lab for your opening scene. But a roomful of cadavers is where it all began for Stacey Schepens Niemiec ’03, MOT ’05, PhD ’09 and Matthew “Nemo” Niemiec ’04, MPT ’06.

“Stacey doesn’t believe me but I still remember seeing her on the first day of class,” Nemo said. “I’m not saying it was love at first sight, but I remember the blue of her scrubs and the smell of formaldehyde in the air.”

Selmir Mahmutovic ’15 offers advice to PharmD students

“When my brother passed away in 2014, the college generously provided financial support to help ease my burden,” alumnus Selmir Mahmutovic said, noting that funds came from both his PharmD program and the Physical Therapy program, where his brother Selim had been a student. “My goal is to give that full amount back over time — eventually I’d like to set up a PT scholarship. I feel that it’s a good way to pay it forward.” He started giving back this past June by making a contribution to the Hanley N. and Young Hee Abramson Endowed Scholarship in honor of the revered professor’s 80th birthday.

Headlines

Circle of support: Wayne State and WSU Applebaum have students’ backs

EACPHS staff members win 2020 Outstanding Academic Advising Team Award

Military experience keeps pathologists’ assistant student strong, calm

Shareable occupational therapy resources created by students now available

Student Pharmacists Diversity Council, FAWN join Kappa Psi voting campaign

Sara Lolar ’95, MS ’05 earns national New Faculty Award for Professional Excellence

Arun Iyer aims to develop nanomedicines to treat MRSA with new NIH funding

In the media

Golf Digest: Physician asst. grad Christine Bonamici '19 on sport's healing power

NPR: Alumnus Ozie Pye IV '97 on Detroit memorial honoring COVID-19 victims

Vox: Prof. Roche's COVID-19 research on bradykinin signaling highlighted

Forbes: Prof. Christine Rabinak's lab reveals why cannabis helps PTSD sufferers

Research Day

This month, the Wayne State University Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences hosted its 17th annual Research Day live on Zoom. James Thomas, PT, PhD, of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Motor Control Lab delivered the keynote lecture and participated in a Q&A session, which was followed by student and faculty research awards. Watch the full event and check out individual student research presentations on YouTube.

Philanthropy corner

On September 17, the WSU Applebaum community came together on Giving Day to contribute almost $23,000 — a threefold increase over last year — to support our college's students, faculty and research. In response, Interim Dean Cathy Lysack said, “The college is fortunate to have such wonderful alumni, faculty, students and staff standing behind our educational mission. Your contributions help our students become dedicated professionals providing much-needed clinical care, and also scientists and scholars who conduct research to better our lives. Your gifts make possible all of that and more, and we are so grateful for your generosity.”

If you feel inspired to make a significant impact at the college to support students, faculty or research, please contact Director of Development Jon Goldstein to discuss how to make a difference.

An anchor in urban health care
As one of the founding colleges of Wayne State University, the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is built on more than 100 years of tradition and innovation in the heart of Detroit. We have grown deep roots in our city, harnessing its powerhouse hospital systems and community service organizations as vibrant, real-world training grounds for our students. And our research at all levels – from undergraduates to veteran faculty members – translates into creative solutions for healthier communities.