Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Austin Gardner ('20)
Meet alumnus and avid researcher Dr. Austin Gardner ('20) from Morristown, Tennessee.
He serves as the Assistant Director of Pharmacy in Finance for Geisinger Health System
in Philadelphia. In addition to being a pharmacist, he has earned a Master of Healthcare
Administration and Master of Science.
What did you research while at Gatton?
AG:
-Specificity and Sensitivity of Drug Interaction Databases to Detect Meaningful QTc
Interactions with Oral Antineoplastics
- Possible Drug-Induced Pancreatitis in a Patient Receiving Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine,
and Prednisone Chemotherapy
- Metabolic Targets of Gnaphalin Mediated Apoptosis in Colon and Pancreatic Cancer
Cell Lines
Why was that research important to you?
AG: Research is incredibly important to impacting the quality of care that drives the
advancement of pharmacy practice. Oncology research is a continual growing area that
still needs more focus to improve outcomes so I wanted to learn from some of the best
researchers in the area.
Who were the primary faculty members you worked with?
AG: Drs. John Bossaer and Victoria Palau.
How was your research experience impactful on your current career?
AG: Having a background in research fast-forwarded my experience in residency. I led a
large two-year research project around the impact and evaluation of clinical pharmacists
practitioner telepharmacy services for pediatric transplant patients that was ultimately
used as a thesis and eventually submitted for publication.
Have you had any publications since graduation?
AG:
-Gardner, A., Falato, C., McKinzie, C., & Kam, C. Evaluation of Telepharmacy Services
for Pediatric Transplant. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. PENDING PUBLICATION.
-Gardner, A., Sato, J., Norsten, G., & Rush, J. Reducing Readmission and Advancing
Transitions of Care Through a Pharmacy Technician Led Discharge Medication Delivery
Program. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. PENDING PUBLICATION.
-Bossaer, J. B., Eskens, D., & Gardner, A. (2022). Sensitivity and specificity of
drug interaction databases to detect interactions with recently approved oral antineoplastics.
Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice, 28(1), 82–86. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078155220984244
Anything else you’d like to mention?
AG: Gatton offered a robust research experience that enabled me to take a step further
during my post graduate experience and lead an entire research team of my own.