2023 Annual Conference & National Student Retreat

ANNUAL CONFERENCE SPEAKERS 

 

Douglas Anderson, PharmD, DPh


Dr. Douglas “Cal” Anderson, Pharm.D., D.Ph., F.C.C.P. is a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacists. In his 35-year career, he has distinguished himself as a clinician, scholar, researcher, scientist, and ethicist. As a clinician, Dr. Anderson’s focus is medication management of common primary care disorders including diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, COPD, and asthma. Dr. Anderson has also served as a member of Institutional Review Boards and research panels ensuring ethical research, and clinical ethics consultation teams. Dr. Anderson completed his B.S. in Pharmacy and Pharm.D. degrees at the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy where he was the first Pharm.D. graduate. He also completed a PGY1 Residency at Saint Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City, and Fellowship in Internal Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Having recently moved to Northern Michigan, Cal has yet to find a home church and is still seeking music ministry opportunities. Cal is an avid fisherman and loves collegiate athletics (especially football and wrestling).

Dawn Battise, PharmD, BCACP

Dawn Battise, PharmD, BCACP is an Associate Professor at Wingate University School of Pharmacy near Charlotte, NC. She enjoys teaching skills lab, chronic disease state management courses, and pharmacology for physical therapists. She had the privilege of serving patients in the family medicine setting for ten years but recently embarked on a new path as Director of the WUSOP Pharmacy Skills Lab. She joined CPFI as a student at Campbell University and has enjoyed fellowshipping with other Christians who happen to be pharmacists ever since that time! In 2023, she is praising God that He has allowed her to participate in the CPFI Annual Meeting for 10 consecutive years. Currently, she is a co-advisor to the Wingate University student chapter and serves as Secretary on the Executive Board. You can often find her playing outside with her husband and two sons. 

Christine R. Birnie, BS  Pharmacy, PhD

Dr. Birnie serves as Dean and Professor at the Wegmans School of Pharmacy at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY.  She joined the school in 2006 as a founding faculty member, was promoted to department chair, pharmaceutical sciences in 2010, and has been serving as the Dean of the school since 2017.  She received her B.S. in pharmacy from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and continued her studies at the same institution, completing a Ph.D. in the area of pharmaceutics. Dr. Birnie worked as a community pharmacist for Rite Aid Pharmacy, and a formulation scientist for Merial, Ltd. before joining the faculty of Palm Beach Atlantic University initially and later St. John Fisher University, where she has spent the last 16 years of her professional career.  Dr. Birnie continues to stay engaged in teaching, research, and service.  She teaches sections of pharmaceutics and compounding in the PharmD curriculum, has developed and teaches annually an elective course entitled Introduction to Medical Missions, and also precepts final-year students in clinical rotations related to international medical missions and local community-engaged learning.  Her scholarship activities include working with students and colleagues on projects related to academic pharmacy, leadership, international outreach, service, and local community engagement.   Dr. Birnie also is actively involved in service, both to the profession and the global community at large. She has led or participated in more than 20 student-based medical mission trips around the world, including such countries as El Salvador, Bolivia, Ecuador, Haiti, Nepal, and India, where she oversees an annual medical mission project. She has served in elected positions and boards for the Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International and the advisory committee for the Global Missions Health Conference.  She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Mary’s Place Refugee Outreach, St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center, and India Connection and was the recipient of a Fulbright Scholar to India in 2013.  

Gregory C. Carlson, PharmD

Greg Carlson retired from over 30 years as a Director of Pharmacy at Pioneer Community Hospital in Stuart, Virginia. Over the course of his 40-plus years in pharmacy, Greg also practiced pharmacy in long-term care and retail pharmacy.  He currently works part-time in an independent pharmacy in Patrick Springs, Virginia. He received his BS Degree in Pharmacy and Pharm. D. Degree from Mercer University, Atlanta, GA. Prior to pharmacy school, he served in the US Army as a pharmacy technician, which included serving a year in Viet Nam in the 24th Evacuation Hospital. He currently is vice-president of Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International. Greg has served with Samaritan’s Purse since 2019 with deployments to the Bahamas, New York Central Park, Haiti, and twice in Ukraine. He has also been on several GHO mission trips, the most recent to Istanbul, Turkey in May 2022. Greg serves our Lord at home as an active member and deacon of Grace Baptist Church. 

 Justin W. Cole, PharmD, BCPS

 

Dr. Justin Cole is an Associate Professor and Chair of Pharmacy Practice at the Cedarville University School of Pharmacy. He also serves as director of Cedarville University’s Center for Pharmacy Innovation. Dr. Cole received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Ohio Northern University. Prior to his academic appointment, Dr. Cole worked at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in a number of roles, including as coordinator of clinical and investigational drugs services. Dr. Cole is a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist and continues to practice as the pediatric behavioral health clinical pharmacist at Rocking Horse Community Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center in Springfield, Ohio. His teaching and research interests include pediatrics, neurology/psychiatry, vaccine confidence, pharmacy ethics, and pharmacy leadership.

Fred M. Eckel, BS, MS, SCD (Hon)

 

Fred Eckel is Executive Director Emeritus of the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists and Professor Emeritus at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy. Fred grew up in Philadelphia where he graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science.  He earned his MS degree and residency in hospital pharmacy from The Ohio State University School of Pharmacy and Hospitals. He received an honorary doctor of science degree from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia in May 2009.  Fred is a pharmacist by choice, commitment, and concern.  During his lengthy career, he has worked in community and hospital pharmacy settings.  He served as Director of Pharmacy at the UNC Hospitals from 1968 to 1975.  Fred is a past president of ASHP, NCSHP, and the North Carolina Center for Pharmaceutical Care. Fred is Editor Emeritus of Pharmacy Times and has contributed over 250 articles and editorials to the pharmacy literature.  He is a frequent speaker at pharmacy meetings, having spoken in every U.S. state and on all inhabited continents. Fred’s wife, Peggy, is a nurse; his daughter, Sarah, and son, Stephen, practice pharmacy.  Fred’s faith is important to him. Fred is considered a pharmacy futurist. You may not agree with him, but he will make you think.  Be prepared to be challenged, stimulated, and quickened.

Joy Greene, PharmD 


Dr. Joy Greene is a native of North Carolina who received her Pharm.D. degree from UNC in 1998. Joy opened and managed two independent pharmacies before joining the Academy. She has helped open three new schools of pharmacy and currently serves as the Associate Dean for Experiential Education at High Point University. Joy has been married to her husband, Bryan, for 26 years and they have two children. Joy and her family are members of Green Street Baptist Church in High Point. Joy founded Joytime Ministries in 2012. "Joytime" is a one-minute nationally-syndicated Christian radio feature that airs on ~ 2000 radio stations worldwide. Joy speaks regularly at women's events, and she also leads a weekly, online ladies' Bible Study on Facebook Live and YouTube Live. She published her first devotional last summer and is working on another book to publish later this year. Learn more about Joytime Ministries at www.joytime.org.

Daniel A. Hussar, PhD, FAPhA


Daniel A. Hussar is Dean Emeritus and Remington Professor of Pharmacy Emeritus at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy.  He has served as a member of the Board of Trustees and as Honorary President of the American Pharmacists Association and is a Past President of the Drug Information Association and the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association.  He has served on the Board of Directors of World Vision and the Board of Directors of Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International.  He is a recipient of the Remington Honor Medal of the American Pharmacists Association and the Distinguished Pharmacy Educator Award of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. Dr. Hussar’s primary interests are in the areas of new drugs, drug interactions, patient safety, and issues facing the profession of pharmacy, and he has written and spoken extensively on these subjects.  For many years he has published articles in several professional journals on the new medications that have been marketed in the United States.  He serves as the Author/Editor of The Pharmacist Activist monthly newsletter. 

Jonathan (Jay) Jackson,  PharmD

Jay Jackson, Pharm.D., is the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Palm Beach Atlantic University’s Lloyd L. Gregory School of Pharmacy where he formerly attended and received his Pharm. D. degree. Jay also completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at the West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center. In addition to overseeing student services, he teaches heavily in the school’s curriculum with a focus on pharmacogenomics, cardiovascular pharmacotherapy, and nutrition support. Jay has a passion for local and international medical missions, having led several trips locally and to the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. Jay is happily married to his wonderful wife of 12 years and blessed with five children. He also serves as a pastor of a local house church network.

Kelly W. Jones, PharmD, BCPS

Kelly W. Jones, Pharm.D., BCPS is a graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) where he received both his B.S. in Pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees.  He also completed a Pharm. D. Fellowship in Family Medicine from MUSC.  After graduation, he joined the faculty at the McLeod Family Medicine Residency Program in Florence, South Carolina, and worked with them for 28 years.  In 2016, he broke away from academics to help develop a new independent pharmacy located in Florence simply called THE Pharmacy.  Who says a teacher can’t practice?  In 1993, he was awarded Board Certification in Pharmacotherapy and since has renewed that certification three times.  In June of this year, the South Carolina Pharmacy Association awarded him, Pharmacist of the Year for the State of South Carolina.  Dr. Jones was born in Fountain Inn, South Carolina, married to Lisa, and has 6 wonderful children Amanda, West, Carol, Mason, Hamilton, and Jackson.  To these he can add 7 grandchildren; Mae, Kellett, Lily, Sammy, Morgan, Henry, and George.  He currently resides in Hartsville, South Carolina.  His hobbies include family and writing music

Jessica Tegan Langdon, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, NCTTP

Dr. Jessica Tegan Langdon is a clinical pharmacist practicing at the Internal Medicine/Department of Medicine Clinic since 2020 and previously at the Robinson Health Clinic starting in 2016, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  She earned a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree and a Masters degree in Business Administration from South University.  Upon graduation, she completed a PGY-1 pharmacy residency program at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She was the first CPFI NSC National Student Retreat Coordinator and upon graduation has been a member of the CPFI Annual Meeting Committee. She has been the co-chair of the CPFI Student Chapter Advisory Committee since 2016.  She also volunteers as the administrative support team member for her Samaritan's Purse - Operation Christmas Child area team since 2019. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, going on adventures in new areas, and working on various arts/crafts.

Emily Laswell, PharmD, BCPS

 

Dr. Emily Laswell completed her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Ohio Northern University in May 2012. Following her graduation, Dr. Laswell completed a post-graduate pharmacy practice residency at Grandview Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio. During her residency, she also obtained a teaching certificate from the Raabe College of Pharmacy at Ohio Northern University. Dr. Laswell is currently an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Cedarville University and practices at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, where she works with an internal medicine team focusing on the care of patients with stroke and neurologic diseases. In addition to her clinical practice site, Dr. Laswell is currently serving as Faculty President, as well as coordinator for Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) for the School of Pharmacy at Cedarville University. 

 Nathanael Smith, PharmD, BCPS

 

Nate Smith is a 2017 graduate of Cedarville University School of Pharmacy (CUSOP) and completed a PGY-1 residency at St. Mary's Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia. After residency, the Lord brought Nate and his wife Ashley back to CUSOP where he is an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice. He practices in cardiology at Kettering Health Dayton and teaches cardiology and advanced bioethics at CUSOP. Nate has a passion for training Christians who happen to be pharmacists (or student pharmacists) how to biblically navigate the tumultuous time that we currently practice. 

DEVOTION & WORSHIP LEADERS

Jeffrey A. Bates, PharmD


In April 2021, Dr. Jeffrey Bates was appointed Dean of Cedarville University’s School of Pharmacy after serving as Associate Dean for five years.  He works tirelessly with the School’s executive committee to see that the School aligns students’ God-given passions with their God-given abilities ensuring they become exceptional Kingdom ambassadors, ministering, and adorning the Gospel through the profession of pharmacy.  Nearly 30 years after graduating from Pharmacy school, Dr. Bates’ career has centered on pouring into more than 2,300 Pharmacists, modeling excellent care, and striving to exceed expectations. In the years prior to joining Cedarville, Dr. Bates served at Ferris State University’s College of Pharmacy as Assistant Dean and Director of Student Success.  While at Ferris, he founded the Ferris Pharmacy Care Clinic in 2013.  Located inside Ferris College of Pharmacy, students continue to regularly hone their clinical skills, assuring comprehensive care to underserved patients in and around Mecosta County.  Further, he shared clinical responsibilities in an Interdisciplinary Diabetes Clinic, facilitating experiential and inter-professional learning for pharmacy, optometry, and nursing students. Dr. Bates is privileged to have been an invited lecturer many times on both state and national platforms.  Dr. Bates has helped lead several non-profit organizations, serving on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Pharmacists Association, Hope House Free Medical Clinic, Cran Hill Ministries, and the Christian Pharmacy Fellowship International.  He has served as a deacon at Grace Baptist Church in Cedarville as well as led committees in the American Academy of Colleges of Pharmacy and at the Michigan Pharmacist’s Association.  He is currently actively involved in the Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International Board of Directors and chairs its Educational Affairs Committee. He and his wife Sheryl are originally from the west-central Michigan area but are now privileged to call Cedarville, Ohio home.  They have three children and are strong advocates for, and supporters of, foster care and adoption.

Fred M. Eckel, BS, MS, SCD (Hon)

 

Fred Eckel is Executive Director Emeritus of the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists and Professor Emeritus at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy. Fred grew up in Philadelphia where he graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science.  He earned his MS degree and residency in hospital pharmacy from The Ohio State University School of Pharmacy and Hospitals. He received an honorary doctor of science degree from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia in May 2009.  Fred is a pharmacist by choice, commitment, and concern.  During his lengthy career, he has worked in community and hospital pharmacy settings.  He served as Director of Pharmacy at the UNC Hospitals from 1968 to 1975.  Fred is a past president of ASHP, NCSHP, and the North Carolina Center for Pharmaceutical Care. Fred is Editor Emeritus of Pharmacy Times and has contributed over 250 articles and editorials to the pharmacy literature.  He is a frequent speaker at pharmacy meetings, having spoken in every U.S. state and on all inhabited continents. Fred’s wife, Peggy, is a nurse; his daughter, Sarah, and son, Stephen, practice pharmacy.  Fred’s faith is important to him. Fred is considered a pharmacy futurist. You may not agree with him, but he will make you think.  Be prepared to be challenged, stimulated, and quickened.

Joy Greene, PharmD 


Dr. Joy Greene is a native of North Carolina who received her Pharm.D. degree from UNC in 1998. Joy opened and managed two independent pharmacies before joining the Academy. She has helped open three new schools of pharmacy and currently serves as the Associate Dean for Experiential Education at High Point University. Joy has been married to her husband, Bryan, for 26 years and they have two children. Joy and her family are members of Green Street Baptist Church in High Point. Joy founded Joytime Ministries in 2012. "Joytime" is a one-minute nationally-syndicated Christian radio feature that airs on ~ 2000 radio stations worldwide. Joy speaks regularly at women's events, and she also leads a weekly, online ladies' Bible Study on Facebook Live and YouTube Live. She published her first devotional last summer and is working on another book to publish later this year. Learn more about Joytime Ministries at www.joytime.org.

Jennifer Sands, BS Pharmacy

Jennifer’s husband Jim was killed in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.  Since then, Jennifer has undergone a dramatic spiritual transformation from tragedy to victory in Christ:  from an unbelieving, devastated widow to a Christian Author, Speaker, and Bible teacher.  A New Jersey native, Jennifer’s story has been featured on The 700 Club, Moody Bible Radio, Homelife Magazine, Fox News, and many other media outlets. She’s the author of 3 books: A Tempered FaithA Teachable Faith, and A Treasured Faith; and she regularly addresses many audiences with her Biblically-centered messages.  Jennifer is also a 1989 graduate of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. She worked in the same independent retail pharmacy for 30 years before retiring from pharmacy in 2019.  For more information on her ministry, visit www.jennifersands.com. Jennifer looks forward to the fellowship time with her CPFI family! 

  STUDENT RETREAT SPEAKERS

Keith W. Allhands, BS  Pharmacy

 

Keith Allhands is a pharmacist living in southeast Indiana.  He started out his career working in the first computerized independent pharmacy in the state of Indiana located in New Castle while working part-time at the local hospital. Moving southeast, he retired after 39 years at Dearborn County Hospital working his way from staff pharmacist to assistant director of pharmacy services.  Keith is a Purdue University graduate.  Professional organizations include Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International (CPFI), the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP), the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (ASHP), the Indiana Pharmacists Alliance (IPA), and Christian Medical and Dental Associations (CMDA).  He is working in his community being a board member and clinic director for the Volunteers in Medicine of Dearborn, Ohio, and Switzerland Counties, a free medical clinic in Aurora, IN.  Keith volunteers as a pharmacist interpreter and a board member of the Hook’s Drug Store Museum located at the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis, a board member of the Dearborn County Federal Credit Union, and a member of the Dillsboro Community C.A.R.E. (Community Action Response Engage) team.  Keith is a supply pastor for various churches for pastors needing vacation/sick time or churches between full-time pastors.  He volunteers on short-term medical brigades.  He is married to his bride, Linda, has three beautiful daughters, and four engaging grandchildren.

Erin Ballentine, MBA, PharmD

Erin Ballentine is from Frederick, Maryland.  In 2019, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Cedarville University.  After completing her Bachelors, Erin remained at Cedarville University to earn her Masters of Business Administration concentrated in Healthcare Administration and her Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2022.  Erin is currently in her first year of the two-year Health System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership Residency program at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.  Additionally, she is completing a Master of Science degree in Health Care Management through the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. 

Sarah Marie Freeman, PharmD

Dr. Sarah Freeman is a recent graduate of Wingate University School of Pharmacy. She is currently completing her Community Pharmacy Fellowship through NCPA/CPESN at TrueCare Pharmacy in Concord, North Carolina. Sarah has a passion for Independent Community Pharmacy and helping her patients understand their health while helping them along their health journey. Sarah enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and church family. Some of her hobbies include traveling, hiking, cooking, painting, woodworking, and meeting new people. Sarah has been an active member of CPFI since 2018 as a student and has now transitioned to a professional member. She has enjoyed serving on her local CPFI chapter and National Student Chapter leadership boards, attending CPFI events and growing with a group of Christians that just happen to be Pharmacists.  

P. Brittiany Vickery, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP, CPP

 

Dr. Brittany Vickery is a Christ follower, wife, mother, and pharmacist. She is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy at Wingate University School of Pharmacy, Hendersonville Health Sciences Center in Hendersonville, North Carolina where she teaches experientially and didactically.  After graduating from Wingate University School of Pharmacy in 2012, she completed her Pharmacy Practice Residency at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee in 2013. She became Board Certified in Pharmacotherapy in 2014, and Board Certified in Psychiatric Pharmacy in 2016. She maintains an inpatient practice site at AdventHealth Hendersonville where she serves as a preceptor for third and fourth-year pharmacy students. She enjoys building relationships with students and supporting them in achieving their personal and professional goals. She is a co-adviser for the school’s CPFI chapter and is privileged to lead Bible studies with the chapter, and host fellowship events. She serves as a volunteer at The Free Clinic in Hendersonville. Dr. Vickery hails from Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and currently resides in Hendersonville, North Carolina. She is a member of Calvary Fellowship in Mills River, NC. She enjoys serving in her church’s children’s ministry, reading the Bible and theology books, spending quality time with family and friends, taking walks with her family and dog, hiking, doing DIY craft projects, and enjoying the beautiful Western Carolina outdoors