Press Releases

(Alexandria, VA) - The American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (ASCPT) has selected Patricia W. Slattum, PharmD, PhD, CGP, of Virginia Commonwealth University, to receive its 2008 William B. Abrams Award in Geriatric Clinical Pharmacology. The award will be presented on Wednesday, April 2, 2008, during the opening ceremony of the Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida.

The William B. Abrams Award in Geriatric Clinical Pharmacology honors young investigators in the field of geriatric clinical pharmacology who are making outstanding contributions to the field. The award was established by William B. Abrams, MD, with support from the Merck Company Foundation. Dr. Abrams was president of ASCPT from 1975 to 1976 and led an illustrious career in the pharmaceutical industry, primarily at Merck Research Laboratories.

Dr. Slattum received her BS, PharmD, and PhD from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. She is a Certified Geriatric Pharmacist and has received additional training in the management of Alzheimer's disease as well as mood and memory disorders. She is currently the Associate Professor of Pharmacy at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr. Slattum has greatly contributed to the field of geriatric clinical pharmacology through her outstanding teaching, her high-level research, and volunteer service in the geriatric community. Dr. Slattum's exceptional abilities as a teacher in gerontology were acknowledged in 2005 when the Virginia Association on Aging awarded her their Outstanding Gerontology Educator Award. She has received numerous grants for research issues affecting the elderly such as "Anticholinergic drug use in hospitalized patients with dementia" and "Age related differences in the sensitivity and development of acute tolerance to ethanol." Additionally, her research has appeared in a number of peer-reviewed journals including The American Journal of Geriatric Pharmacotherapy, The Consultant Pharmacist, and Journal of Analytical Toxicology. Dr. Slattum was involved in the development of a novel pharmacy practice model for pharmacy services for older adults in the community, which received both state and national recognition. This model led the Virginia Pharmacists Association to award Dr. Slattum with the 2005 Innovative Pharmacy Practice Award. She also dedicates her time to the community as a member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Richmond Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association and through other volunteer activities that impact the concerns faced by the elderly.

Dr. Slattum was Chair of ASCPT's Geriatric Clinical Pharmacology Scientific Section from 2003 to 2005. She serves as a member of ASCPT's Coordinating Committee on Scientific Sections, is participating in the Society's mentoring program as a mentor, and has served on numerous committees throughout her membership.

ASCPT is the leading forum for the exchange, development, and integration of translational science into the drug development continuum from discovery to safe and effective medication use. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, ASCPT was founded in 1900 and has more than 2,100 members worldwide.