Meeting & Agendas

Meeting called to order by the chair, Terry Guilbert. Members introduced themselves. A guest, Richard Espinosa, Department Chair for Allied Health Science at Austin Community College was introduced to the members as Interim Department Chair for the Pharmacy Technician Program.

Next meeting dates are scheduled for February 20, 2009 and July 17, 2009 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Terry Guilbert adjourns meeting.

Committee members reviewed last meeting minutes from April 29, 2008. The committee members voted to accept the minutes with no corrections.

Zach Corbell, Department Chair, announces that at student orientation, students will be given computer based training. Since pharmacy courses are offered online, he feels that students should be given an introduction of what to expect, especially for those who are not familiar with distance learning courses. He also feels that those students doing live courses should have some basic computer training as well.

Information about the Baxter TPN Compounder is introduced to the committee members. It is mentioned that this equipment will cost $100,000.00 and the training system for equipment dispensing is $15,000.00. It is suggested that if this equipment is purchased both the nursing and pharmacy programs would be able to utilize this equipment. Eileen Klein mentions that she will send Zach Corbell a picture of the equipment. This equipment is for training in medication dispensing. Committee members suggest that there may be other modes of training students in medication dispensing. It is suggested that field trips may be an option to consider before making such a purchase.

It is announced that Zach Corbell, Department Chair, submitted his resignation and will leave at the end of the summer session. Zach Corbell announces that Richard Espinosa will be the Interim Chair for the fall. Jason Sparks mentions that he may be leaving at the end of summer session. Zach Corbell assures the members that with Lisa McCartney and Richard Espinosa working in the pharmacy program, he feels that the program will be in good hands.

Program enrollment and graduate update- Jason Sparks reports on the program graduation status. For spring, 10 students graduated and for summer, 8 students will be graduating. He also reports that enrollment numbers were up 20 percent for fall and spring. Experiential training site update- Jason Sparks says that he is looking to get new hospitals on board for experiential training sites. He may have possible contact at the Austin Travis MHMR, Scott & White, Emory, Heart Hospital and Westlake Hospital. There are concerns about several of the present sites. Jason Sparks will provide a follow up on sites at next meeting.

Zach Corbell distributes the updated Pharmacy Technician Application process criteria as of 4/4/08. The members review the criteria and after few minor corrections, Renee Acosta, motions to accept the criteria with corrections.
4-4-08 Application Process - http://www.austincc.edu/health/minutes/phra/4-4-08_application_process.pdf By unanimous vote, motion is passed to accept admission criteria.

Mission Statement Review- Zach Corbell distributes the Program Mission Statement as stated in the fall 2008 student handbook. Renee Acosta mentions that in spring 2009, members should be prepared to review the mission statement. She wants everyone to be ready to discuss the strategic plan of where the program is going and the goals as it relates to college master plan. Committee members agree to be prepared to discuss the mission statement at next meeting. Program Competition- Zach Corbell mentions that he does feel that there may be some problems in finding practicum placement for students in the future. He feels that competition from other universities may be contributing to the shortage of sites. Zach Corbell will review current affiliations and try to see if he can update the committee on the status of those affiliation agreements at the next meeting.
2008 Fall Mission Statement - http://www.austincc.edu/health/minutes/phra/PHRA_Mission_Statement_Fall_2008.doc

Richard Espinosa expressed the need to stress to students that they need to commit to the program and graduate in the allotted time. He also expressed the benefit of having a cohort of students entering and completing the program in a timely manner. Richard Espinosa also suggested that students become trainees by the first week of classes in order to prevent students from not completing the program (practicum) because their registration has expired.