Senior Specialist

UHCOP's Fernandez Achieves Certified Geriatric Pharmacist Status from National Commission, Completes ACCP Academy's Teaching and Learning Program 

UH College of Pharmacy Clinical Assistant Professor Julianna M. Fernandez, Pharm.D., BCPS, has been designated as a Certified Geriatrics Pharmacist by the Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy.

According to the commission's website, "The Certified Geriatric Pharmacist has passed a comprehensive examination to demonstrate knowledge and expertise in the use of medicines in older adults. These pharmacists are entitled to put the initials 'CGP' after their name. Almost 2,000 pharmacists have achieved the Certified Geriatric Pharmacist credential."

An alumna of UHCOP, Fernandez has been a UHCOP faculty member and preceptor since late 2012. Fernandez maintains a clinical practice site in geriatrics at Houston Methodist Hospital.

"I chose to pursue the CGP designation to help distinguish myself as a geriatric pharmacist since that is where my practice lies these days," Fernandez said. "It gives me more of a focused specialization than pharmacotherapy, which is a more general certification."

Fernandez also recently completed the yearlong ACCP Academy's Teaching and Learning Certificate Program through the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP). According to the ACCP website, the certificate program "is designed to assist in the recruitment, motivation, and preparation of clinical educators who can inspire students to advance the profession of pharmacy."

"It was fantastic for me since although I had been a pharmacist for many years and had great practice experience, the academic world and the expectations that come from the accrediting bodies was all new to me," Fernandez said. "It really helped to educate me on the expectations in regards to not only the teaching but also the assessment portion of academia. I am immensely grateful for having the opportunity to do it because although it was a lot of work, it really helped fill in the gaps in regards to understanding the expectations and processes in the academic setting."