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ICAPP health professionals initiative moves into second phase |
| By Kim Cretors |
|
| A collaboration between
UGA’s College of Pharmacy and Albany State University, part
of the University System of Georgia’s Intellectual
Capital Partnership Program, is producing positive results for
both areas of the state in its first two years of existence. Earlier this month the University System released results of Phase One of its ICAPP Health Professionals Initiative, a project matching private sector healthcare providers with system colleges and universities to produce fast-track graduates in the fields of nursing, medical technology and pharmacy. System officials also announced that the initiative has received a “booster shot” of $2.05 million for year one of Phase Two, which will be combined with $1.75 million in cash and in-kind support from 26 private employer partners. ICAPP has allocated $374,832 to UGA’s pharmacy college for fiscal year 2005 to administer its program at Albany State. “The ICAPP Health Professionals Initiative is a great example of how academic training and economic development can effectively meet the needs of Georgia’s citizens,” said UGA President Michael F. Adams when the announcement was made. “I am especially glad that the University of Georgia is a participant in today’s announcement and a major player in an effort to provide more pharmaceutical professionals in southwest Georgia.” Through the Health Professionals Initiative, UGA and Albany State collaborate to educate pharmacists, addressing a statewide shortage of pharmacists that has reached a critical level in southwest Georgia. In addition to creating educational opportunities for area students interested in pharmacy, the collaboration has also earned the promise of jobs in southwest Georgia with ICAPP corporate partners CVS, Eckerd, and the Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. “Albany State University prides itself in being a viable part of the Albany and southwest Georgia communities,” says Albany State President Portia H. Shields. “Being a part of the ICAPP partnership allows the university to provide training facilities for professionals who can have a vital impact on this area. Phase One of the program offered dramatic positive results. It is important to our students and to our community that we continue this success during Phase Two.” UGA’s partnership with Albany State will have produced 81 pharmacists during Phase One and another 50 during Phase Two. Twenty-five are scheduled to graduate in May 2007 and 25 more in May 2008. “We are excited that the new funding will allow us to continue the pharmacy training program in southwest Georgia as well as allow us to consider admitting more students from this area of the state,” says George Francisco, program coordinator and professor in UGA’s pharmacy college. |
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