Malinowski contributes to Japanese educational project

Scott Malinowski (left) visits with a clinical pharmacist at Okayama University Hospital.

cott Malinowski, University of Mississippi clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice, visited the Okayama University School of Pharmacy in December as part of an exchange project designed to foster research collaboration and idea sharing between American and Japanese pharmacy faculty.

“The main benefit of sharing ideas with pharmacists in other cultures and countries is that it creates the potential to influence change and progress regarding the practice of pharmacy and patient care in a different part of the world,” Malinowski said. “It also is an incredible opportunity to forge new collaborations, experience different cultures and develop new friendships.”

Malinowski was selected for the exchange project because of the diversity and nature of his work experiences and responsibilities.

“In Japan, pharmacy leaders are trying to advance and expand the role of the pharmacist, using the progressiveness of American pharmacy as a model,” he said. “The candidate needed to be someone who trained in, and worked in, a progressive pharmacy setting.”

Malinowski’s visit allowed him to meet with faculty, undergraduate students and graduate research students at the Japanese pharmacy school. He also toured Okayama University Hospital, where he interacted with pharmacists and staff, learned about their central pharmacy’s medication preparation and distribution systems, and visited the outpatient pharmacy.

During his visit, Malinowski presented the lecture “Interprofessional Collaboration: Working as a Team” to describe the benefits of interacting with other health care professionals.

Leigh Ann Ross, the UM School of Pharmacy’s associate dean for clinical affairs and chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice, said she was thrilled that Malinowski was able to share his experience in Japan.

“Global engagement is vitally important to advancing pharmacy practice and to fostering innovations in health care delivery,” Ross said. “Partnerships and exchanges with international colleagues also allow us to share ideas that will elevate the education of our health care workforce and research enterprises.”

Malinowski’s visit to Japan was the result of an exchange program established several years ago under the leadership of the Department of Pharmacy Practice’s former chair, Joseph Byrd. The program has enabled several of the department’s faculty members to travel to different areas of Japan to share their practice and education innovations, Ross said.

“We also have hosted pharmacists and educators from Japan, many of whom remain in contact [with us] as our colleagues and friends,” she said.

The exchange allowed Malinowski to make several meaningful connections.

“I made many new contacts and was surprised to learn that we share many clinical and research areas of interest, particularly in regards to incorporating active learning techniques, expanding the role of the pharmacist and preparing pharmacy students to be confident and competent pharmacists,” he said.