The Division of Pharmacy Professional Development has announced details for the February 3-10, 2016 Pharmacy Continuing Education (CE) Study/Travel Program to be held in Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands. This annual continuing education program for pharmacists was started by Professor Al Hanson in 1985 and first held in the Bahamas. In its early years, the locations for this program alternated between Mexico, Jamaica, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the Hawaiian Islands. Since 2000, the program has been held exclusively in Hawaii with a three-year rotation between Maui, the Big Island of Hawaii, and Kauai. The February 2016 program in Kauai will represent the 32nd consecutive year of this annual program.

The CE Study/Travel Program attracts pharmacists from throughout the U.S. and includes pharmacists from many different practice settings. The CE programs are conducted from 8:00 a.m. to Noon on four days providing an opportunity to earn a total of 16 hours of continuing education credit. This schedule provides ample time for attendees (and their families) to enjoy the many attractions of the island destination on their own and/or with other group members. As a testimony to the quality of the program, in any given year at least 50% of the attendees are veterans of a prior Pharmacy CE Study/Travel Program. And there are a few individuals who have attended at least 25 of the annual programs – wow, just like family!!!

The CE focus of the February 3-10, 2016 program will be include 8 hours of instruction on the topics of Asthma, COPD, and Pulmonary Drug Delivery in Pediatrics. Professor Karen J. Kopacek, faculty member and Associate Dean for Student Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy will serve as the instructor for this portion of the program. The remaining 8 hours of instruction will focus on Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Fibromyalgia, and Patient Counseling in Patients with Psychiatric Disorders. Professor Glen L. Stimmel, Interim Dean and John Stauffer Dean’s Chair in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Professor of Clinical Pharmacy & Psychiatry at the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy and Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles, Calif. will serve as the instructor for this portion of the program. Both Professors Kopacek and Stimmel have served as faculty for the Pharmacy CE Study/Travel Program on past occasions.

The CE will be great!! The setting is outstanding!! Register now to take advantage of this unique opportunity to earn important CE credits in a casual learning atmosphere with the added bonus of ample free-time to enjoy the Island of Kauai.