The University of Southern Nevada will be closed from Dec. 19 to Jan. 3, 2010. It will reopen at 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.

University of Southern Nevada is offering its Continuing Professional Education Program, “Infectious Disease Primer,” to Utah pharmacists on Saturday, Jan. 30. The program will be offered at USN’s South Jordan campus at 10920 S. River Front Parkway from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. and at Utah State University at 5005 Old Main Hill, Room 201/203 in Logan from 3 to 8 p.m.

Speakers for the program include Dr. Meghan Jeffres, Pharm.D. BCPS,  assistant professor of pharmacy practice at University of Southern Nevada, College of Pharmacy and Jim Ruble, Pharm.D., JD pharmacy manager at University Healthcare. It’s open to all registered pharmacists interested in improving their confidence in recognizing pathogens for common infections and selecting appropriate antibiotic therapy. In addition, pharmacists interested in learning about changing trends in drug patents are also encouraged to attend.

For more information, including accreditation, credit hours and cost, or to register online visit the event registration site.

Barbara Wood, USN’s director of university of relations, is in Washington, D.C. representing Nevada at a dinner tonight honoring Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The event is presented by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, a broad-based influential network of 400 businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic and community leaders in all 50 states who support a smart power approach of elevating diplomacy and development alongside defense in order to build a better, safer world.

NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell will serve as Master of Ceremonies at tonight’s event, and the dinner will be co-chaired by James Bell, Corporate President and CFO of the Boeing Company and Richard Stearns, the President of World Vision.

Congratulations to Dr. Okeleke Nzeogwu, MBA program director, and USN’s MBA students, faculty and staff! Following a comprehensive program evaluation and site visit, during a meeting held on Nov. 12 the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) granted accreditation to USN’s MBA program. At the same meeting the IABCE Board of Commissioners also endorsed a set of commendations of the site-visit team pertaining to the university’s commitment to continuous improvement and program innovation; its commitment to the continuous growth and development of the faculty; and its culture of transparency and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Based in Olathe, Kan., IACBE is the premier professional accreditor for business programs in student-centered colleges and universities throughout the world. The IACBE exists to promote, develop, and recognize excellence in business education. Its philosophy of accreditation is centered on student learning and operational outcomes.

IACBE accreditation means that now all of USN’s individual academic programs are accredited. The College of Pharmacy’s Doctor of Pharmacy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education; the College of Nursing’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and the College of Dental Medicine’s Advanced Education in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics/MBA residency program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Education. The University of Southern Nevada is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

The University of Southern Nevada would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

The university’s Henderson, Nev. and South Jordan, Utah campuses will be closed from Wednesday, Nov. 25 through Friday, Nov. 27 in observance of the holiday. USN will reopen at 8 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 30.

USN is now accepting reservations for it’s Second Annual “A Taste of the Arts” event. This year’s event will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010 at the spectacular roof top Veloce Cibo at The M Resort, this year’s presenting sponsor. Featured artists are Debra Aarens (pastels), Sarah Grear (ceramic art) and Terry Ritter (acrylic and oil paintings of Las Vegas). Guests will experience the art of wine blending and enjoy delicious hors d’ ouerves. Tickets are $85 per person or $160 for two, with proceeds benefiting USN’s community outreach programs. Make your reservation today by calling 702-968-2055 or email bwood@usn.edu.

USN Taste of the Arts on Facebook

Want the opportunity to shop and get valuable health resource information at the same time?

University of Southern Nevada will host its Holiday Health Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12 at The Boulevard Mall located at 3528 S. Maryland Pkwy in Las Vegas.

USN pharmacy and nursing students, along with more than 24 health-focused organizations, will provide free health screenings and information to educate the community on how to lead healthier lives. Areas will include, but not limited to, arthritis, diabetes, immunization, weight loss, nutrition, cholesterol, heartburn and respiratory illnesses, and high blood pressure, as well as information on Medicare, SHIP and other health insurance-related matters. Additionally, the Southern Nevada Health District will join the health festival to offer H1N1 information.

“Our health festivals are a great way for our pharmacy and nursing students and orthodontic residents to provide valuable services to the community, providing practical experience for them and a great opportunity for the general public to check up on their health and learn how to prevent illnesses,” said USN’s Director of University Relations Barbara Wood. “This is also a wonderful way for our students and residents to showcase the quality education and training they’re receiving at USN.”

For more information call 702-968-2055 or email bwood@usn.edu.

The University of Southern Nevada would like to extend a very special thank you to everyone who participated in and supported the university’s 1oth Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament. The event, held on Monday, Nov. 16 at the ultra-exclusive Cascata Golf Club in Boulder City, was by far the institution’s most successful.

According to Barbara Wood, USN’s director of university relations and tournament organizer, 88 golfers played in the tournament, which was the golf course’s largest in 2009. The tournament, along with silent and live auctions, raffles and other fundraising activities, raised more $91,000 with net proceeds of more than $50,000 benefiting student scholarships and services.

“The weather was absolutely perfect,” said Barbara Wood. “The golfers had a great time playing the spectacular mountain course. The food was incredibly delicious and the auction, led by national auctioneer Christian Kolberg, was both entertaining and effective. KLAS-TV’s morning news anchor, Dave McCann, presented an outstanding awards program.”

This year’s tournament included some high-profile players, including Bob Miller, former Nevada Governor; Brian Greenspun, chairman and CEO of the Greenspun Corporation and editor of the Las Vegas Sun;  Michael Montandon, former North Las Vegas Mayor and current gubernatorial candidate and numerous members of USN’s Board of Trustees.

Among the 23 teams, the winners were:

1st Place – The Buckeye Boys, led by Dr. Justin Kullgren, assistant professor of pharmacy practice at USN’s College of Pharmacy.
2nd Place - Featuring players from River Park Ten, Layton Construction Company and MHTN Architects.
3rd Place – A team led by USN’s President, Dr. Harry Rosenberg.
Longest Drive – Brian Greenspun
Closest to the Pin – Sam Mineo

The presenting sponsor was AHVA Properties, LLC; breakfast sponsors were River Park, MHTN Architects and Layton Construction; lunch sponsor was Harsch Investment Properties; awards sponsor was Steinberg Diagnostic Imaging; drink cart sponsor was Vons/Safeway, Inc.; golf cart sponsor was CVS; caddie bib sponsors were CMS Cleaning and AVI-SPL AV Company; general sponsor was Wells Fargo Bank; media sponsor was In Business Las Vegas; hole-in-one sponsors were Carter PowerSports, Telesphere and Jim Marsh; tee sponsor was Protection One; and flag sponsors were Rancho Securities, The Private Bank – Nevada State Bank and Baxter HealthCare.

“We are extremely grateful to all of our tournament sponsors and to all of the companies and individuals that donated items for our live and silent auctions and raffle,” said Wood. “The success of our tournament would not be realized without their generosity.”

University of Southern Nevada College of Pharmacy alumni, faculty, Board of Trustees members, preceptors and friends are invited to attend a special reception during the 44th Annual American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Midyear Clinical Meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at The Venetian Las Vegas. No registration or RSVP required, so join us!

The marketing communications plan prepared by University of Southern Nevada Marketing and The Ferraro Group for the launch the orthodontic clinic at the College of Dental Medicine was recognized last night at the 13th Annual Pinnacle Awards, presented by the Las Vegas chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Each year, the Pinnacle Awards recognizes the best and brightest in public relations strategies and tactics.

Jason Roth, USN’s marketing director, along with Holly Lobelson-Silvestri and Susan Dons of The Ferraro Group, accepted the award in the very competitive Marketing Communications category at a dinner event held at the Springs Preserve.

From left to right, Jason Roth, USN's marketing director, Holly Lobelson-Silvestri and Susan Dons of The Ferraro Group.