News & Media
URI College of Pharmacy, Providence VA create research partnership - (November 30, 2023) Formal agreement creates a URI research hub in the capital city, and bolsters research efforts- R.I. pharmacists looking for a bigger role in care - (February 16, 2024) THE PRESCRIPTION? Dean of the University of Rhode Island’s College of Pharmacy, says pharmacists are underutilized in the health care system and should be allowed to play a bigger part. (subscription required to access article)
- Pharmacy dean at URI focuses on research, a new vision for the industry – The Boston Globe - (December 11, 2023) Kerry LaPlante will lead the effort to advance health care for veterans. (subscription required to access article)
URI pharmacy Dean Kerry LaPlante wins Providence Business News’ 2024 leaders’ award - (July 10, 2024) University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy Dean Kerry LaPlante has been named recipient of the 2024 PBN Leaders and Achievers award by Providence Business News, the publication announced this week. The annual program recognizes honorees with long-standing commitment to the Rhode Island business community and a sustained demonstration of leading others, community service and mentoring.
As antimicrobial resistance quickly becomes the next pandemic, pharmacists must step up - (September 1, 2022) This summer, Daniel P. McQuillen, MD, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, said that with rates of antimicrobial-resistant infections rising quickly, systemic changes are urgently needed to protect public health.
“This is no longer a future crisis, but one that is at America's doorstep and needs to be addressed now,” he said. “Whenever there are high levels of hospitalizations, rates of antimicrobial-resistant infections and deaths will likely further increase unless we take steps to prevent them.”- PharmDs ‘have done more with less’ during COVID-19 - (August 24, 2022) Infectious disease pharmacists provide a broad spectrum of services for patients, but like other health care professionals, they have faced changes since the emergence of COVID-19, and their role has expanded.
- MAD-ID: Dedicated to Antimicrobial Stewardship - (May 6, 2022) The last 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic has put everyone in the medical field in acute crisis mode. It has forced everyone to pay great attention to a singular issue, while other important public health subjects were largely put aside.
- The Ins and Outs of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Administration - (May 4, 2022) Fecal microbiota transplantation is proving to be an effective treatment for many patients with specific disorders associated with dysbiosis.
- Pharmacists From Around The Country Honored For Their Excellence in Innovation - (February 22, 2022) “Upsher-Smith is proud to partner with the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations to recognize deserving pharmacists from across the country who have managed to shine brightly for their patients, even in the shadow of a global pandemic,” said Rusty Field, President and CEO of Upsher-Smith. “These men and women have worked tirelessly to improve patient care in their communities and it is an honor to recognize them for their exemplary service.”
Experts weigh in on ways to combat growing antibiotic resistance amid COVID-19 - (November 19, 2021) The COVID-19 pandemic has hindered progress in antibiotic stewardship and hospital infections, and antibiotic resistance in the human population is a growing threat. 
Meet Our 2021 Stand Up to Superbugs Ambassadors - (February 26, 2021) Individuals meet virtually with policymakers to encourage increased funding for fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria
CVS will start to offer COVID-19 vaccinations next week in Rhode Island, Massachusetts - (February 2, 2021) CVS Pharmacy announced on Tuesday that it will begin to offer COVID-19 vaccinations at some limited locations, including in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.- URI College of Pharmacy trains pharmacists, technicians to deliver COVID-19 vaccine - (January 11, 2020) With the production of the COVID-19 vaccine, the end of the pandemic is on the horizon. While there’s still a long way to go, University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy faculty and staff members continue their efforts to hasten the end of the deadly pandemic, training pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to administer the vaccine.
- University of Rhode Island experts available to discuss paths to vaccine - (November 25, 2020) With news of one or more effective COVID-19 vaccines on the horizon and the recent announcement that Rhode Island will serve as a pilot site for Pfizer’s vaccine rollout, the following University of Rhode Island experts are available to discuss the path to a vaccine – or how a vaccine is developed, delivered and distributed
Meet Our 2019 Stand Up To Superbugs Ambassadors - (March 5, 2019) A team of people from around the country will travel to Washington from March 5 to 7 as part of the Stand Up to Superbugs movement to meet with members of Congress and policymakers. These individuals are part of The Pew Charitable Trusts’ network of survivors, farmers, doctors, researchers, and others with a personal connection to the issue of antibiotic resistance. They are sharing their unique experiences and perspectives to help raise awareness about the growing public health and national security threat posed by drug-resistant bacteria. Together, our ambassadors are working to ensure the responsible use of antibiotics in veterinary and human medicine, spur a robust pipeline of new drugs, and increase funding across the federal government to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. - Antibiotic Resistance is a Global Health Crisis: URI’s LaPlante on Raising Awareness in RI - (February 16, 2019) University of Rhode Island Professor of Pharmacy Kerry LaPlante joined GoLocalProv News Editor Kate Nagle on LIVE at the Rhode Island State House to talk about the state’s “antimicrobial stewardship” program — and why antibiotic resistance is a public health concern.
- President Kerry LaPlante Represents SIDP at Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria - (January 30, 2019) SIDP president Kerry LaPlante spoke to the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PAC CARB) urging the council to prioritize promoting the development of new antibiotics and protect existing ones. She also advocated for the inclusion of an infectious diseases pharmacist on the Advisory Council.