Henry Hitner earned a bachelor of science degree in biology from Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and spent several years working in the pharmaceutical industry, first as a research assistant in toxicology for Wyeth Laboratories and then as a research pharmacologist for National Drug Company, both in Philadelphia. During this time he earned a master of education degree in biology from West Chester University. He attended graduate school at Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia, where he earned a PhD in pharmacology. Dr. Hitner then went into academia, where he held numerous faculty positions, first as an instructor of biology and allied health sciences at Montgomery County Community College, followed by 30 years of teaching and research at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). At PCOM he served as professor and vice chair of the neuroscience, physiology, and pharmacology department. Other positions included director of the animal facility and chair of the institutional animal care and utilization committee. Professional memberships included the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society and the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. He was the recipient of the Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching and a Mentor Award from the National Student Association. Henry and his wife Carlotta enjoy traveling, the beach, and time spent with family and their nine grandchildren.
Barbara Nagle earned a master of science and doctorate at Hahnemann Medical College and University in the department of pharmacology. Following postdoctoral training in ocular pharmacology at Will’s Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, she taught pharmacology and physiology to medical students at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) and to nursing students at Widener University. After several years in academia, she moved into the pharmaceutical industry at Glaxo Smith-Kline, Endo Pharmaceuticals, Bio-Pharm Clinical Services, ICON, and InKine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as Director of Clinical Information and later Vice President of Clinical Research, Training and Quality Assurance. She has been part of the research effort to bring products through clinical development to FDA approval such as gastric acid suppressants (antihistamines), beta-blockers, anti-infectives, muscle relaxants, and oral contraceptives. Her most recent affiliation was with Endo Pharmaceuticals in pain management research prior to her current activities as consultant and educator. She has served as International Director of Drug Development Training and Medical Education for BioPharm. Professional memberships include the Sigma Xi Scientific Research and American Medical Writers Association. Barbara is a freelance photographer, traveler, and silk painter.
Michele B. Kaufman, a pharmacist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Lower Manhattan is also a board-certified geriatric and registered pharmacist. She has over 30 years of pharmacy experience, and earned her bachelor of science in pharmacy from the University of Rhode Island (URI) College of Pharmacy, Kingston. She has worked as a product development pharmacist in New Jersey and as a hospital pharmacist at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, before returning to New England (Boston) to obtain a doctor of pharmacy degree at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy/ AHS (Boston). Subsequently, she completed a fellowship in drug information (DI) at the URI DI Center/RWMC in Providence. Dr. Kaufman then became a clinical assistant professor at St. John’s University, Jamaica, New York, specializing in DI/adult medicine (clinical site @ LIJMC). After several years in academia she became a geriatric clinical pharmacist in corporate managed care, where she stayed for over a decade. She then left to pursue medical writing and health-system pharmacy practice. She is an active member of professional organizations, including American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, American Medical Writers Association, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, New York State Council of Health-System Pharmacists, New York City Society of Health-System Pharmacists (NYCSHP), and SWINY. She is a member of the clinical care committee at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center (NYC), and a Lambda Kappa Sigma Professional Pharmacy Society alumni member. She has mentored numerous students throughout her years, and coauthored and published her first book (2019), a health careers book for middle-grade ages and up, Healthcare Heroes: The Medical Careers Guide. She is the past recipient of two prestigious awards from NYCSHP, the Harold Neham Award (2006) for dedication and commitment to pharmacy practice and literature; and the Joel Yellin Award (2011), honoring significant pharmacy practice contribution. When not working, Michele enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, exploring new cultures, and playing musical instruments, mostly the saxophone. She lives in New York City with her spouse, Jo Ellen Fusco, a retired music teacher.
Hannah (Cooke) Ariel received her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She was recruited by the Harvard Affiliated Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, serving as a clinical pharmacist in Cardiology and General Medicine, with an adjunct appointment at Harvard Medical School as a Clinical Assistant Professor, and a full-time pharmacy practice appointment as Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston, Massachusetts. Hannah met and married Moshe Ariel of Brookline, Massachusetts and, together, they are raising their four children, Sarah, Aharon, Ariyeh, and Tova Anna in Saddle Rock, Long Island, New York. Hannah has a great love for her family, in addition for her passion for science and medicine. Hannah is a licensed Pharmacist in New York, Massachusetts, and Florida, and currently holds an adjunct faculty appointment in Chemistry and Biochemistry at Queens College, Queens, New York.
Yael Peimani-Lalehzarzadeh earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from The Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York, where she graduated with honors. She was president of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP), LIU Brooklyn Chapter during the fall of 2014. Dr. Lalehzarzadeh has experience in both retail pharmacy and consulting for nursing homes. She is a devoted wife and mother, and cherishes every moment with her family.
