Welcome New Pre-Prof. Pathways Director and Reunion Round Up

Introducing the Director of Pre-Professional Pathways

Starting July 1, Dr. Elizabeth Brookins will become the College's first director of pre-professional pathways. In this role, she will provide general oversight of the College's pre-professional pathways and support for students working toward careers in medicine or other professions in the health fields (not pharmacy).

Dr. Brookins has a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from Albany Medical College. Following her PhD, she joined Siena College's Biology Department where she taught a variety of introductory and advanced courses primarily in the area of physiology. In her current capacity as a health professions advisor, she is responsible for advising students pursuing careers in medicine, dentistry and other doctorate granting professions. She also runs Siena's Global Medical Volunteer Program, chairs the Health Professions Recommendation Committee, and continues to teach courses in biology and health professions. Dr. Brookins is very active in the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions member (NAAHP) at both the regional and national level and currently serves as the Northeast region's representative to the National Board of Directors.

Reunion 2018: Thank you!

The ACPHS Albany campus became home again for generations of Panthers during Reunion Weekend 2018. Close to 200 alumni and guests attended the June 1- 3 festivities to reconnect with classmates and celebrate their cherished college experiences.

Highlights included the FONSMZ golf tournament, Casino Night at the Rivers Casino, campus tours and dinner and dancing at the Albany Capital Center. Alums enjoyed socializing and reminiscing at cocktail receptions, brunch and the barbecue.

You can browse our Reunion Weekend photo albums and relive all the fun from the weekend.

Residency and Fellowship Luncheon

In June, ACPHS held the Residency & Fellowship Graduation Luncheon. The event celebrated the completion of pharmacy programs at Albany Medical Center, St. Peters Hospital, Albany Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Capital District Physicians' Health Plan. The residents also completed the ACPHS Teaching and Learning Program, which is a year long program. Congratulations!

John Denio: Living the Good Life

After retiring from ACPHS in June 2015, John Denio was looking forward to some downtime and a trip to Italy. The Alumni Alert recently caught up with him and learned that he did in fact take that trip to Italy, but he didn't stop there.

"We initially did a biking tour in Italy. It was a group of about 17 of us. We were there for 8 days and each day we covered around 20-30 miles," Denio said. "We went through olive orchards, vineyards, visited castles and other really interesting places. It was wonderful."

Since then, Denio has also visited Iceland, Germany, and Cuba.

"My wife's brother is an avid sailor, so he actually charted a boat from Florida to Cuba. But I'm not much of a sailor, so we flew down and met him there. I've never been in a country totally controlled by the government. The population was very poor, but resilient. It was amazing seeing all those old 1950's cars still running."

He's visited his son in Salt Lake City, Utah and daughter in Pasadena, California too, and has plans to travel to Israel next year.

Day to day, Denio prefers to spend as much time outdoors as he can. He says his backyard has never looked better and he finally has a chance to truly enjoy it.

"Yardwork is a great excuse to get outdoors."

Denio and his wife, Margaret, have also participated in a few mini triathlons since his retirement, which consist of 300-500 yard swim, a 5k run, and biking for 12 miles. He also hikes and does yoga. And he has made time for new hobbies as well.

"My wife's family had a small piano in their house, and after we inherited, I figured I'd give it a shot. I've been taking lessons for about a year now," Denio said. "It keeps my mind going, gives me something to think about that's a little more challenging and that I have to work at."

Denio also makes time to visit with former students.

"I've always known this, but now, as I visit with alumni from the College, it is emphasized how much of a privilege it was for me to be at ACPHS at that particular time in history and to be a part of a long span of incredibly talented and dedicated people that make up the history of ACPHS."