Creighton University, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions

 Students:

"How have Jesuit/Ignatian Values learned at Creighton impacted your life and/or do you believe exposure to such values will make you a better  health care provider (explain)?"

"I believe the Jesuit/Ignatian values will make me a better  health care provider because they have instilled in me the desire to always strive for more, Magis, and to do it for the the greater glory of God, ad Majorem dei Gloriam. I want to do everything I can to help my clients; to go the extra mile to make sure they get the interventions and care that he or she needs. I believe that through doing this I am serving God, doing what He would want me to do. I feel that in many ways the Jesuit values are synonymous with the values of practicing occupational therapy." Lisa Bagby, Doctor of OT Class of 2010.

 "Faith should be the most important aspect in individual's lives. Attending a University in which faith is brought up almost daily encourages young adults to think about their faith and hopefully facilitate its growth. I appreciate Creighton University's mission to bring God into the classroom which has been a very positive experience while attending this school." Kylie Hays, Doctor of OT Class of 2009, Class President.

“I believe exposure to a faith-oriented medical education will help me in the field of occupational therapy.  Occupational therapists have the potential to be very influential in patients' lives and I think that it is important for students to receive education on spiritual issues before they enter a profession where it is very possible that such issues will come up.   I have enjoyed having the freedom to discuss my values and spirituality within the classroom as I am sure that I may face patients that need more than just physical treatment and intervention.  I believe exposure to the Ignatian values in the classroom will make me a more caring, compassionate and aware practitioner out of the classroom.” Michelle Rudolf, Doctor of OT Class of 2010. 

 "My experience at Creighton has been an exceptional one because it has united two essential aspects of my life: my professional education and spiritual beliefs.  As a Muslim, remembering God through reflection, prayer, charity, helping others, and being a better person, is a vibrant part of everyday life.  This core part of my identity has been enhanced through Creighton’s energetic and encouraging staff, self-reflecting curriculum, and lively atmosphere.  I found Creighton's Ignation Values to be very similar to Islamic values, reinforcing my previously-held values as well as helping me grow on many levels." Azza Adhami, Pharm. D. Class of 2009. 

“Creighton teaches us to treat the whole person; mind, body and spirit. We are taught to not treat our patients as a disease or a condition, but to look at their life and situation to decipher the best course of treatment. Learning facts and figures is not enough to be a good health care professional, you need the ability to see the whole person and make that connection to let them know we are there for their best interest.” Amanda Drey, Doctor of PT Class of 2009.

“The Jesuit values promote a patient care model that goes above and beyond your standard care. They require that you take all factors into account when considering the treatment of a patient. My exposure to these values has helped me reflect on my profession and patient care in a different light.” Paul Morales, Pharm. D. Class of 2010.

“I feel that the Jesuit values have helped me become a well rounded person.  Academics are not the only thing stressed, but also service to others and care for the person.  I feel these values will make me a better healthcare professional because that is what we do; we care for and serve others.  We have also learned the importance of reflection, and through this I have learned much about myself and others through my experiences.” Stacy Pladera, Doctor of PT Class of 2010.

"The Jesuit Values have taught me to go above and beyond what is required and to continue to strive for excellence in all aspect of my professional and personal life.” Denise Emmert, Pharm. D. Class of 2010.

“Exposure to the Ignatian values at Creighton will definitely allow me to be a better health care provider. My education at Creighton has given me a firm foundation in learning to treat the “whole person” instead of just the disease, as well as teaching me the value of providing service to those in need. I feel that the Ignatian values have been present throughout all of my classes here at Creighton, and this recurrence will allow these values to remain strongly influential to my professional actions.” Jemma Hatab,Doctor of PT Class of 2010.

“I believe the Ignatian values that Creighton incorporates into their curriculum will definitely make me a better health care provider.  One of the most important of the Ignatian values to me is Cura Personalis or Care for the Whole Person.  This value is something that I have seen in my classes from day one and is wholly embraced by everyone at Creighton.  We are taught to treat not just the disease, but the whole person if possible.” Ann Foede, Pharm. D. Class of 2010.

“I feel blessed to have the Ignatian values as a part of my professional education because they are fundamental to providing good care.  I know I am a better health care provider today now that I have an understanding of God’s will for the health care community.” Matthew Rogers, Doctor of PT Class of 2009.

“I don't think I can pick out just one Jesuit/Ignatian value as all of them are very important to exemplify in everyday life, especially the healthcare world. I do believe, however, that these values have provided me a foundation toward delivering appropriate care for my future clients in the healthcare system making sure that all of their needs are soundfully met in mind, body, and spirit.” Alissa Angel, Doctor of OT Class of 2008.

Faculty:

"How do you incorporate Jesuit/Ignatian values into your instruction and/or live the University's mission?"

“I strive daily to promote cura personalis or the care of the whole person.  My students are taught to examine all of the needs of their patients, and not just the medication needs.  Accordingly, I strive to examine all the needs of my students in the educational process, so that they don’t leave this place with a void that could have been filled.  This allows them to strive for their best and be as successful as possible up to and beyond graduation.” Keith Christensen, Pharm. D. BCPS Assistant Professor Of Pharmacy Practice.

"I like to joke that working at Creighton and being in the occupational therapy department isn't a "job", it's a "lifestyle".  It is hard to separate the values and mission of Creighton from your life, since we exemplify those Jesuit and Ignatian values through our work, our interactions, and our ideas.  These values provide a focus and grounding for one's energy and efforts...we do try to "live" the mission.” Al Bracciano, Ed. D.,OTR, FAOTA, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy.

“My primary area of scholarship is in disease prevention, especially as it relates to lifestyle interventions.  Training pharmacy students to talk with patients about lifestyle strategies that can augment, or in some cases replace, current medication regimens allows the students to look at treating the whole patient and not just one aspect of the patients’ care.  The Jesuit/Ignatian value of Cura Personalis says that we should care for the whole person.  We train pharmacists to address many of the patient’s needs and not just their medications because we feel this will provide the patient with the best potential outcomes when managing their medical issues.” Tom Lenz, Pharm. D., M. A., Director of Pharmacy Distance Pathway, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice.

“I believe that we should all be men and women for and with others. That is why I do the OT ILAC Program and incorporate service activities into my courses. I work with OISSE to promote activities and community partnerships that provide learning activities for my students and opportunities to provide services community members might not receive otherwise. Service is a part of who I am and I cannot deny its power as a pedagogy for teaching students skills for interacting with diverse individuals and enacting the Jesuit values.” Joy Doll, OTD, OTR/L, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy.

"Why do you choose to teach at Creighton University?"

"The corporate culture conveys “care for others”, which is compatible with my personal values; many of the Ignatian values are indeed compatible with my personal values. There are very few corporate environments that promote such beliefs."  Dr. Catherine Opere, B. Pharm., M.B.A., Ph.D, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Sciences.

"Because, in an evolving way, both for Creighton and for myself, this environment enables me to be my most complete self in communion with others, i.e. “finding God in all things”, and each of the other Ignatian Values as well." Dr. Linda Ohri, Pharm. D., MPH, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice. 

"Many years ago as an undergraduate student at Creighton, I experienced a tremendous amount of growth, both personally and professionally.  The Ignatian values resonate with who I am as a person, and I really wanted to be back in an environment that was supportive and nurturing.  Creighton also has an excellent academic reputation, which is important in the health professions.  This is why I chose to teach at Creighton.  It is a great place to live, learn and become!" Dr. Brenda Coppard, Ph. D., OTR/L, FAOTA, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, Chair.

"I choose to teach at Creighton because of the freedom to be who I am. I am encouraged to explore for myself and with my students the importance of Spirituality and the role it plays in my profession of Pharmacy. It allows me to show my care and concern for my students in their studies and personal journeys." (Cura Personalis) Dr. Jennifer Tilleman, Pharm. D., Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice.

"I didn't know the reason had a "name" when I first started teaching at Creighton, but now the reason I choose to stay at Creighton is Cura Personalis...having concern and care for the whole person has always been part of my teaching philosophy. Teaching at Creighton has helped me to learn more about it."  Dr. Aimee Limpach, Ph. D., Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Sciences.

"I choose to teach at Creighton because Creighton emphasizes teaching not only the professional didactic content (for health care professionals) but also forming the entire person." Cura Personalis. Dr. Somnath Singh, Ph. D., Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Sciences.

"I can speak freely of my belief in God, I can say to a student and a class that I will pray for them prior to a test and really do it! I chose to work here because teaching is supported by a belief in God! I work with faculty who are committed to serve their students in an educational process and to serve patients, indirectly, through their teaching." Dr. Ken Keefner, R. Ph.,Ph. D., Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences.

"Being a non-Catholic, I was not aware of the (Ignatian) Values until asked about them at my interview. The faculty member who was interviewing me at the time described them to me, and the value of Cura Personalis really stuck with me as I feel that I have always practiced under this belief. Having an institution that supports this meant a lot and gave me an idea of how I would be treated as a faculty member here." Dr. Emily Sexson, Pharm. D., RP; Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice.

"I choose to teach at Creighton because I have the opportunity here to be myself. I can share my spiritual beliefs and values with students either in private or a public classroom without getting in trouble for mixing "church and state." We are encouraged to instill our Ignatian Values into our students and that makes me want to come to work each day!" Dr. Maryann Skrabal, ,Pharm. D., CDE, Assistant Director, Office of Experiential Education, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice.

"The focus of Creighton's School of Pharmacy and Health Professions is the student. The outward or obvious sign of that is the care that is taken by the Admissions Office and the Office of Academic and Student Affairs to determine individual student needs. The hidden or less evident sign is the time and energy that the majority of faculty members expend in classroom, laboratory, and service activities.  There is a spirit of Magis in most faculty members to provide not only an education, but a vision of change for the better in health care for all patients."  Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice.

"Ignatian Values are one way that we can talk about the important things that we experience in life. Many faith traditions and cultures espouse the same values, but use different terms to describe them. The Ignatian Values give us a common ground to discuss these values. " Dr. Jennifer Tilleman, Pharm. D., Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice.

"Core Ignatian Values are not just Catholic. Analysis of the values reveal that they are human. Justice, finding good (God) in all things, reflection on purpose are all part of defining oneself. The Creighton experience just focuses those charisms as being more evident since they are foundational to the Jesuit Society. Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice.

"As human, I believe we have an obligation to hold on to concepts of right and wrong. Ignatian Values are simply one way to inspect and practice what we see is right and wrong." Dr. Robert Garis, Ph. D. Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences.

"I'm not "Catholic", but deeply spiritual and religious.  You (the student) have a chosen a profession in health care which ties directly to Ignatian Values. As a health care professional you need to think about caring for the entire person, as well as do everthing within your power to assist them. That is exactly what you'll get out of our curriculum at Creighton -- we live those values and try to instill them into our students everyday!" Dr. Maryann Skrabal, ,Pharm. D., CDE, Assistant Director, Office of Experiential Education, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice.

"These values represent the best of the human condition -- a belief in God and the interaction of men and women for one another to serve and care for others in numerous avenues of their need.  Underscoring all is God's working through each of us to care for those in greatest need and perform God's work here on earth. Dr. Ken Keefner, R. Ph.,Ph. D., Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences.

Staff:

"What do you find most meaningful about your employment in SPAHP?"