Medical Management
Resume:
Ranya Alwan, Pharm.D.
Upland, CA 91784
e-mail: *****.*****@**.***
PRESENT POSITION:
Clinical Pharmacist
Ambulatory Care
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Loma Linda
LICENSURE:
Pharmacist, California State Board of Pharmacy
August, 2002
Pharmacist, Nevada State Board of Pharmacy
July, 2003
EDUCATION:
July 2002 - July 2003 Residency in Primary Care Pharmacy Practice
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Sepulveda Division
North Hills, CA
July 2002 - July2003 Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacy
USC School of Pharmacy
Los Angeles, CA
Aug. 1999 - May 2002 Doctor of Pharmacy
University of the Pacific
Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health
Sciences Stockton, CA
Sept. 1996 - June 1999 Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry
University of California
Los Angeles, CA
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
February 2004 - May 2008
June 2009 - Present Clinical Pharmacist, Ambulatory Care
Residency Coordinator (Feb 2004- May 2008)
Residency Advisory Board Chair (Feb 2004- May 2008)
VA Loma Linda Healthcare System, Loma Linda, CA
Responsibilities: Served as clinical pharmacist in
ambulatory care clinics, Residency Coordinator for
pharmacy practice residents, Residency Advisory Board
Chair leading fellow colleagues in residency program
planning and development.
Clinical Duties:
Participated in VA formulary management and promotion
of VA national guidelines
Evaluated appropriateness of drug therapy
Provided patient care on a multi-disciplinary
team
Provided therapeutic counseling and medication
reconciliation
. Supported all areas of ambulatory care pharmacy
. Supported areas of pharmacy staff, pharmacy
resident, pharmacy student education
Teaching:
. Precepted pharmacy practice residents and
students
. Mentored, guided pharmacy practice residents
with drug monographs, Criteria for Use
development, pharmacy published newsletter,
Pharmbeat, and administrative projects.
. Participated in weekly meetings with Residents
and Chief of Pharmacy
. Taught medication education classes to patients
. Participated in Western States Residency
Research Projects
. Served as Residency Coordinator
. Served as Chair of Residency Advisory Board
June 2008 - Present Drug Education Coordinator, Pharmacy
Administration
Kaiser Permanente, Fontana, CA
Responsibilities: Coordinated and managed
pharmaceutical education
for clinic, hospital, and contracted providers.
Coordinated and provided
on-going pharmaceutical education and training for
pharmacy personnel.
Duties:
. Provided performance feedback to providers and
personnel regarding clinical outcomes, cost
effectiveness, and member service in the delivery
of pharmaceutical care.
. Assisted in directing quality and utilization
standards, and partnered with administrators,
providers and pharmacy managers to ensure quality
and cost effective pharmaceutical care according
to Kaiser Permanente standards and applicable
regulatory laws.
. Worked collaboratively with the co-chairs of
Regional Pharmacy and &Therapeutics Committee and
the medical staff to coordinate pharmaceutical
education providers and staff. Attendend formulary
review committee meetings and drug use management
committee meetings.
. Assisted in the development and implementation of
identified pharmacy initiatives. Provided
training, analytical support, and on-going
performance feedback to providers and staff
regarding those initiative outcomes.
. Analyzed prescribing practices for identified
locations and/or the specific area to identify,
develop, implement, and evaluate effective
techniques to favorably influence such prescribing
practices.
. Provided on-going communication to providers and
staff regarding recent innovations in
pharmaceutical practice, drug cost issues,
clinical outcomes issues, etc., via presentations,
newsletter information, formal utilization review
and one-on-one conversations.
. Identified and developed ongoing training
education needs based on clinical pearls and
formulary alternative acceptance levels, resulting
in improved formulary utilization.
. Mentored staff pharmacists with responsibility for
managing cost containment/conversion programs, to
include annual evaluation of performance.
. Ensured implementation region-wide impact
programs.
Teaching:
. Primary Preceptor for pharmacy practice
residents rotating through the Drug Education
Coordinator Program
. Participated in Residency Steering Committee
. Served as Chair of Resident Interview
Subcommittee
July 2003- February 2004 Clinical Pharmacist, Ambulatory Care,
Pharmacy Resident and Student Education
Coordinator
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Sepulveda,
CA
Ambulatory Care Division, Sepulveda
Responsibilities: Served as clinical pharmacist in
ambulatory care
as well as primary residency preceptor and education
coordinator for residents and students.
Clinical Duties:
Participated in VA formulary management and promotion
of VA national guidelines
Evaluated appropriateness of drug therapy
. Supported pharmacist-run anticoagulation clinic
. Supported pharmacist-run hypertension clinic.
. Supported areas of ambulatory care pharmacy.
Teaching:
Served as a resident mentor and supervising preceptor
Revamped residency activities and rotations
Re-implemented hypertension clinic and narcotic-
refill clinic
Participated in Western States Residency Projects
January 2003- January 2004 Clinical Inpatient Pharmacist
Northridge Medical Center, Northridge, CA
Responsibilities: Served as inpatient clinical
pharmacist
. Entered, prepared and verified inpatient orders
. Supervised technicians
. Reviewed appropriateness of drug therapy
. Provided drug information to physicians and
nurses
. Monitored and dosed patients on heparin,
vancomycin, and aminogycosides, per protocol.
July 2002- July 2003 Resident Primary Care Pharmacy Practice
and Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacy
Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare
System,
Sepulveda Division, North Hills CA
and University of Southern California, School of
Pharmacy
Los Angeles, California
Responsibilities: During the one year training
program, time was spent in the following practice
areas: Internal medicine, endocrinology, cardiology,
pulmonary, neurology, dermatology, infectious
disease; pharmacist-managed anticoagulation, smoking
cessation and hypertension clinics; pharmacy benefits
management (PBM) and inpatient infectious disease at
the VA West Los Angeles.
Patient Care:
. Provided patient care in pharmacist-run
anticoagulation clinic and smoking cessation
clinic.
. Provided care for patients requiring
hypertension follow-up
. Created a narcotic-renewal clinic
. Primary clinical pharmacist in HIV/Infectious
Disease Clinic
Teaching:
. Precepted fourth year pharmacy students
. Taught clinical therapeutics to second and third year
USC pharmacy students; developed teaching materials.
. Obtained physical assessment certification through
USC School of Medicine.
. Provided patient education classes
. Provided in-services to house staff
Projects/Administration:
. Completed a DUE and drug monograph
. Developed a protocol in creating a pharmacist-run
narcotic renewal clinic.
. Wrote quarterly pharmacy-focused columns in a church
newsletter.
. Participated in P&T and PBM meetings, PBM consult
service.
June 2002 - Dec. 2002 Staff Pharmacist
Walgreens Pharmacy, Burbank CA
Responsibilities: verified prescriptions, computer
entry, dispensed medications, counseled/educated
patients, communicated with physicians and nurses,
managed insurance issues.
Intern Pharmacist
February 2002 - June 2002 Walgreens Pharmacy, Burbank CA
May 2000 - July 2001 Walgreens Pharmacy, Stockton CA
Responsibilities: dispensed medications; counseled
patients;
communicated with physicians and nurses; utilized
telephone skills; communicated with other pharmacists
in the community; stocked inventory.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
October 2004-present National Pharmacy Month Coordinator
VA Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA
Responsibilities: Increased awareness of pharmacist
services
available to patients. Coordinated diabetic
glucometer/finger stick certification.
June 2003 Volunteer, "Brown Bag Day"
Northridge Medical Center Health Fair, Northridge,
CA
Responsibilities: answered patient's questions
regarding their drug therapy; gave advice on how to
remedy side effects and how therapy can be
optimized;
reviewed indication of each medication as it related
to
each individual's condition.
April 2001 Volunteer, Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Screening
Asparagus Festival, Stockton, CA
Responsibilities: screened patients' blood pressures;
reviewed ways to maintain blood pressure within the
acceptable ranges; screened patients' total
cholesterol levels; informed as well as educated
patients' about cholesterol in accordance with the
guidelines.
April 2001 Volunteer, Diabetes Screening
Green Brother's Pharmacy, Stockton, CA
Responsibilities: screened patients' blood glucose
levels via a finger stick. Counseled/educated
patients on importance of medication use and daily
blood sugar screening as well as how to monitor and
achieve good diabetic control.
June 2000, June 2001 Volunteer, Heart Lab
UOP Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, Stockton, CA
Responsibilities: educated grade school children in
the community about the structure and function of the
human heart.
March 2000 Volunteer, TAR Wars
Annunciation School, Stockton, CA
Responsibilities: educated primary school children
about the harmful effects of smoking; increased
awareness about the fallacies set forth by the
tobacco industry.
February 1999 - June 1999 Volunteer, Project S.E.T.
South Central L.A. Evening Tutorial, Los Angles, CA
Responsibilities: tutored minority children of
disadvantaged
backgrounds; counseled the children with their
problems and/ or
concerns; promoted an atmosphere of learning and
encouragement.
January 1999 - June 1999 Volunteer, Medical Intake
Los Angeles Free Clinic, Los Angeles, CA
Responsibilities: delivered patient care to
individuals of low economic status; obtained blood
pressures and vital signs; delivered drug and
disease counseling and information to patients.
September 1997 - June 1999 Research, UCLA Student Research Program
Department of Psychiatry and Biochemistry
UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
Responsibilities: conducted radioimmunoassays of
serum
prolactin, coritsol, and testosterone in Vervet
Monkeys;
analyzed and interpreted data; revised and perfected
lab protocols;
published findings in an undergraduate university
publication;
presented preliminary results in a poster project.
Dec. 1997 - Dec. 1998 Office Assistant, Health Care Promoter, ARC
Glendale Chapter
American Red Cross, Glendale, CA
Responsibilities: maintained office paperwork
influx; supervised incoming file
documentation; participated in health fair events;
assisted in blood drives; serviced and communicated
with the public.
PRESENTATIONS
April 2004 "Agent Orange"
Presented a review to fellow pharmacy staff of
disease linked to exposure to Agent Orange as this
relates to our Veteran Population
May 2003 "Travel Infections: An Undesirable Souvenir"
Presented a comprehensive evaluation of prevention
and treatment of travel infections to pharmacists,
residents, and pharmacy students at Veterans Affairs
West Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles,
California.
January 2003 "Drug utilization review of Quetiapine 25ng
tablets"
Presented the results of an extensive drug
utilization review of over 600 patients prescribed
quetiapine 25mg tablets for non-approved FDA
indications. Findings were presented to P&T committee at
the VA Greater Los Angeles.
August 2002 "Management of Hypertension"
Presented review of hypertension management based on
most recent guidelines as well as most profound
clinical trial publications to clinical pharmacists
and staff at Veterans Affairs Sepulveda Medical
Center, North Hills, California.
February 2002 "Management of Asthma"
Presented a review of asthma management based on
literature and guidelines to fellow pharmacy
students at Veterans Affairs Long Beach Medical
Center, Long Beach, California.
December 2001 "Management of Chronic Heart Failure"
Presented review of chronic heart failure
pathophysiology, etiology, and therapeutic management
based on most recent published clinical trials and
guidelines to clinical pharmacists, residents, and
students at the Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles
Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.
March 2001 " Chromium for Hyperlipidemia" Poster Project
Presented journal and medical literature research
findings to local pharmacists, UOP professors,
students, and staff.
March 2000 "Acupuncture for Asthma" Poster Project
Presented journal and medical literature research
findings to local pharmacists, UOP professors,
students, and staff.
May 1998 "Basal Serum Cortisol in Ververt Monkeys"
Poster Project
Presented laboratory research to UCLA faculty,
staff, and students.
Published findings in undergraduate university
publication.
LECTURES:
February 2004 - present "Anticoagulation Therapy Patient Education"
A review of coumadin and its significance as drug
therapy in conditions that require anticoagulation
therapy. Drug interactions, food interactions,
precautions, side effects, and indications are
addressed, in addition to the importance of lab
monitoring while on this agent. Lecture given
biweekly to veterans at the VA Loma Linda.
February 2004 - present "Diabetes Therapy Patient Education"
A review of hypoglycemic medications and their
importance relative to maintaining control of
diabetes. Drug interactions, side effects, and
indications are addressed. Lecture given monthly to
veterans at the VA Loma Linda.
July 2002 - February 2004 "Healthy Heart"
A review of cholesterol-lowering agents and their
importance relative to a healthy lifestyle. Drug
interactions, side effects, and indications are
addressed. Lecture given monthly to veterans at the
VA Sepulveda.
July 2002- February 2004 "Blood Pressure Education"
A review of blood pressure medications and their
importance relative to a healthy lifestyle. Drug
interactions, side effects, and indications are
addressed. Lecture given monthly to veterans at the
VA Sepulveda.
RESEARCH (IRB APPROVED):
May 2004 -Effects of Niacin on Blood Sugar levels in the
Veteran Population
May 2005 -Vascular interventions in Veterans with
uncontrolled lipid levels
May 2006 -Evaluating the accuracy of Warfarin prescription
labels
May 2007 -Comparing accuracy of computerized medication records versus
Veteran patient
verbalized dose (medication reconciliation)
May 2008 -Comparing HbA1c in veteran patients on Insulin NPH + Aspart
versus
Insulin Glargine + Insulin Aspart
PUBLICATIONS:
July 2010 Kawahara B, Jacob S, Alwan R.
Evaluation of the value of a pharmacy service
publication (PharmBeat) for Patients
AACP Abstract and Poster
2010 AACP Annual Meeting and Seminars in Seattle
June 2009 Alwan, R.
Clinical Practice Capsule
Evidence-Based Non Pharmacological Recommendations
and Interventions for Diabetes.
California Pharmacist. Summer 2009 Vol LVI, No. 3: 34-
36
Feb 2008 Jacob S, Jacobson A, Alwan R, Miller C.
Evaluation of warfarin prescription labels.
J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2008 Feb;25(1):114.
July 2004- Ongoing Kawahara B, Alwan R, Wong K: Editors
Pharmbeat Pharmacy Newsletter
May 2002 Alwan, R. America's most respected drug dealer: A
guide to the
profession of pharmacy. Outreach Maronite Eparchy
Newsletter,
vol. 6 no. 3
March 2003 Alwan, R. Ask your pharmacist: Over-the-counter
products
and your health. Outreach Maronite Eparchy
Newsletter,
vol. 7 no. 2
May 2003 Alwan, R. Ask your pharmacist: Traveler's diarrhea, the
unwanted souvenir. Outreach Maronite Eparchy
Newsletter vol. 7, no3.
ABSTRACT:
May 2003 Alwan, R. Development and implementation of a
pharmacist-run
narcotic-refill clinic at the Veterans Administration
Sepulveda Medical Center. Western States Conference,
Pacific Grove, California.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
-present California Pharmacists Association
1999-present American Pharmaceutical Association/Academy of Students
Pharmacy
2000-present American College of Clinical Pharmacy
2000-present Phi Delta Chi Professional Pharmacy Fraternity
2001-present California Society of Hospital Pharmacists
2001-present American Society of Hospital Pharmacists
HONORS AND AWARDS:
1 Deans List- UOP School of Pharmacy, for superior academic achievement
1998 Vice Provost's Award- UCLA, for excellence in undergraduate
research
1994-1996 Alpha Gamma Sigma- National Honor Society
1996 National Dean's List
CERTIFICATIONS:
ACLS
Physical Assessment
LANGUAGES:
Fluent in Arabic.
REFERENCES:
Available upon request.
Contact this candidate