AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEALTH-SYSTEM PHARMACISTS HONORS MEMBERS FOR
PRACTICE EXCELLENCE AND LEADERSHIP

START Center boasts only local pharmacist to be recognized, one of only two from Texas

June 8, 2009 - Theresa Mays, staff pharmacist for South Texas Accelerated Research Therapeutics (START) is among 32 health-system pharmacists to be given the title "Fellow" by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) in recognition of the excellence they have achieved in pharmacy practice. Of the 32, Mays is the only staff pharmacist from San Antonio, and one of only two in Texas to be named this year.  The 2009 Fellows will be honored on Tuesday, June 16, 2009, during the ASHP Summer Meeting in Rosemont, IL.

Theresa Mays is the director of the Investigational Drug Section.  She holds a BS in pharmacy, a Pharm.D..  She also completed a specialized pharmacy residency in oncology, and is a Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist (BCOP) & has been since 1998 (the first year this certification was offered). She has 14 years of experience working with oncology patients and the last eight years has been in Phase 1.

Mays said of the announcement, “I am honored to receive this recognition from my pharmacy colleagues. I am fortunate that my role at START allows me to apply my training in oncology directly to patient care, because one of my most rewarding job functions as a clinical oncology pharmacist is helping make our patients experiences with chemotherapy more tolerable by managing their symptoms.”

Gina Mangold, chief operating officer for START, said of the award, “Dr. Mays is a vital member of our organization, a leader in her field and constantly strives for clinical excellence.  Without her expert knowledge of clinical trial execution, START would not be among the leading Phase I clinical oncology trial sites in the world.” 

START was founded in 2007, and is headed by internationally known drug researcher and oncologist, Dr. Anthony Tolcher.  It is located at the new START Center for Cancer Care in the heart of San Antonio’s medical center.  The mission of START is to accelerate the development of new anticancer drugs with the purpose of improving quality of life and survival for patients with cancer.  START consists of a team of highly trained physicians and staff with extensive experience in Phase I clinical trials research, and who believe that “the cure starts here.”

In just two years, START has grown to offer the largest Phase I clinical trials program in the world, with patients enrolled in more than 40 trials. Although the benefits of research that occurs right here in Bexar County will reach far beyond our borders, the START Center is having an immediate and profound impact by offering new  hope and more time to patients from South Texas who are now able to get world-class, cutting-edge therapy without having to leave home.

The program has recognized 619 Fellows since it began in 1988. The ASHP Practitioner Recognition Program recognizes excellence in practice and promotes public awareness of outstanding pharmacists. Each applicant's credentials are assessed against rigorous criteria that include contributions to the scientific literature, research, education and active involvement and leadership in professional activities. Applicants also must have practiced in health-system pharmacy for at least 10 years.

The 2009 Fellows are:
- Joseph Michael Alessandrini, B.S. Pharm., Pharmaceutical Care Services, Vineland, N.J.;
- Kim W. Benner, Pharm.D., BCPS, Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Birmingham, Ala.;
- Kimberly Binaso, Pharm.D., FASCP, CGP, Managed Healthcare Associates, Florham Park, N.J.;
- Cynthia Brennan, Pharm.D., M.H.A., University of Washington Academic Medical Centers, Seattle;
- Leigh A. Briscoe-Dwyer, Pharm.D., BCPS, North Shore - LIJ Health System, Lake Success, N.Y.;
- Teresa E. Corbo, Pharm.D., BCPS, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, Del.;
- Michael A. Crouch, B.S., Pharm.D., BCPS, South University School of Pharmacy, Savannah, Ga.;
- Dale E. English II, B.S. Pharm., Pharm.D., Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, Rootstown, Ohio;
- Lisa M. Gersema, Pharm.D., United Hospital, St. Paul, Minn.;
- Barbara Giacomelli, B.S., Pharm.D., M.B.A., Shore Memorial Hospital, Somers Point, N.H.;
- Julie Golembiewski, Pharm.D., University of Illinois College of Pharmacy, Chicago;
- Niesha L. Griffith, B.S. Pharm., M.S., The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio;
- Eugene A. Handza, M.H.A.,Veterans Affairs-Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tenn.;
- Cherry Wyant Jackson, B.S. Pharm., Pharm.D., BCPP, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Birmingham, Ala.;
- Thomas James Johnson, Pharm.D., BCPS, Avera McKennan Hospital and South Dakota State University, Sioux Falls, S.D.;
- Christene M. Jolowsky, M.S., University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, Eagan, Minn.;
- Anthony C. Kessels, Pharm.D., BCPS, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis;
- Amber J. Lucas, Pharm.D., BCPS, St. Luke's Hospital of Kansas, Kansas City, Mo.;
- Linda F. McElhiney, B.S., Pharm.D., Clarian Health Partners, Inc., Indianapolis;
- Theresa A. Mays, B.S., Pharm.D., BCOP, South Texas Accelerated Research Therapeutics, San Antonio;
- Robert L. Page II, Pharm.D., MSPH, FCCP, FAHA, BCPS, CGP, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colo.;
- Fred Pane, B.S. Pharm., Premier, Inc., Charlotte, N.C.;
- Steven M. Riddle, B.S. Pharm., BCPS, Harborview Medical Center/University of Washington, Seattle;
- Jill True Robke, Pharm.D., BCPS, Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City, Kansas City, Mo.;
- Maria D. Serpa, Pharm.D., FCSHP, Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, Sacramento, Calif.;
- Stephanie J. Seyse, B.S., Pharm.D., BCPS, Kaleida Health, Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo, N.Y.;
- Timothy Smith, Pharm.D., FABC, Centennial Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn.;
- Lisa S. Stump, M.S., Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Conn.;
- Joyce A. Tipton, B.S. Pharm., M.B.A., Baylor College of Medicine, Houston;
- Paul C. Walker, Pharm.D., The University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Mich.;
- Eric W. Weber, Pharm.D., BCPS, Phoenix VA Health Care System, Phoenix;
- Kimberly T. Zammit, Pharm.D., BCPS, Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo, N.Y.

SOUTH TEXAS ACCELERATED RESEARCH THERAPEUTICS
START has 40 open Phase I trials of some of the most innovative new anticancer agents.  Patients wishing to enroll in a trial, or wish to give their consent for a tumor gift to the tumor bank should call (210) 593-5265.