American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Awards Viso-Gurovich Honorary Membership

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 17 Jun 2009 - 8:00 PDT

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The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) has named Fela Viso-Gurovich, Ph.D., an honorary member of the Society for her pioneering work in the development of hospital pharmacy in Mexico. Dr. Viso-Gurovich received the honor during ASHP's Summer Meeting in Rosemont, Ill.

Dr. Viso-Gurovich is a professor at the University of the State of Hidalgo in Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico. In 1998, she, along with a group of students, began the first pharmaceutical services in a pediatric hospital in Mexico. She was the driving force in the creation of the Mexican Association of Hospital Pharmacists (MAHP) and served as it first president; currently, she directs international affairs for MAHP. At the University of the State of Hidalgo, she teaches pharmacotherapy, ethics, and pharmaceutical legislation. Her research interests are in pharmacoepidemiology, postmarketing surveillance, and drug utilization.

"Dr. Viso-Gurovich's work at the University of the State of Hidalgo and with the MAHP has transformed the practice of pharmacy in Mexico," said ASHP President Kevin J. Colgan, M.A., FASHP. "We are pleased to recognize her groundbreaking efforts with this award."

For six years, Dr. Viso-Gurovich served as director of Mexico's national pharmacopeia, which is an activity of the federal government. She is also one of the founders of the North American Compact for the Advancement of Hospital Pharmacy, a collaboration of MAHP, ASHP, and the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists. In 2007, the North American Compact and the Ministry of Health of the State of Hidalgo conducted an invitational conference in Pachuca for public health and university officials throughout Mexico on the future of hospital pharmacy in the country. That conference, which drew lessons from the development of hospital pharmacy in Canada and the United States, led to federal government support for hospital implementation of pharmacy services under the direction of a qualified pharmacist.

Dr. Viso-Gurovich earned her pharmacy degree and her Ph.D. in biochemistry from the National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City, and studied pharmacology as a postdoctoral student at Cambridge University in England.

Source
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists