Alumni Insights: Coronavirus Vaccines, Part 2: It’s Decision Time

Globally recognized vaccine expert John D. Grabenstein got his professional start with Duquesne School of Pharmacy's Class of 1980. During our next #DuqAlumniInsights, moderated by Dr. J. Douglas Bricker, GP'81, from the School of Pharmacy, John returns to the Duquesne webinar stage to bring us up to date on what’s happened with coronavirus vaccines since his August appearance and how these vaccines fit into our lives. He goes light on the science so he can focus on how human nature affects people’s desires to seek or avoid vaccination, including religious issues.

John Grabenstein, R.Ph., Ph.D., is a global vaccinologist, pharmacist, and public-health leader, specializing in adult vaccines, implementation, and vaccine history. He has written more than 300 articles and 11 books. Today, he operates Vaccine Dynamics, a multifaceted consulting service. He is also editor for the Immunization Action Coalition.

If you would like to share your expertise with your fellow alumni, fill out an application at www.myduquesne.duq.edu/webinarpresenter to be considered.

Speakers:

John D. Grabenstein, R.Ph., Ph.D., P'80, @ Vaccine Dynamics
In addition to the above, John is the 2020 Remington Honor Medalist, American pharmacy’s highest honor for distinguished service. He has also received a master’s degree in education from Boston University and a doctorate in epidemiology at the University of North Carolina. He has experience in over 50 countries, and has served on committees advising HHS, DoD, and the Dept. of Commerce. As Global Exec. Dir. of Medical Affairs for Merck Vaccines, he led scientific-exchange activities for a global enterprise annually distributing > 180 million doses of 13 vaccines, to help reduce the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases. His advocacy helped strengthen adult immunization programs on six continents. As a U.S. Army Colonel, he directed DoD vaccination programs for 9 million troops, retirees, and family members across four continents and dozens of ships at sea. He organized “Immunization University” to train clinicians across health disciplines across continents.

J. Douglas Bricker, GP'81 Professor, School of Pharmacy @ Duquesne University
J. Douglas Bricker was appointed the seventh Dean of the School of Pharmacy in 2006 and served in that capacity until 2020. His previous appointments in the School of Pharmacy included Associate Dean and Chair of the Department of Pharmacology-Toxicology. He received a B.A. in Biology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and a Ph.D. in Pharmacology/Toxicology from Duquesne. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Toxicology (DABT) and a member of the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology. He is the co-author of the textbook, Principles of Clinical Toxicology. He served as the National President of the Rho Chi Society from 1999-2001 and is currently the National Historian. He is the current faculty advisor for Phi Lambda Sigma, the national Pharmacy Leadership Society. He has been involved in developing and implementing courses in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and toxicology and has won ten "Teacher of the Year" and "Teaching Excellence" awards.