Neonatal Pharmacology Lecture Pack

Bobby Bellflower is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner with extensive experience in clinical practice, education, and administration. Her undergraduate nursing degree is from University of Memphis, and her masters and doctorate is from University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC). Currently, she is the Director of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs at UTHSC in Memphis, TN and does her clinical practice at Regional One Health, Level IIIc NICU. In the past, she served as director of the NNP program at UTHSC and, most recently (2010-2016), was the manager of the NNP Service at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis. Her research interests include prevention of NEC in neonates, evidence-based practice for APRNs and bedside nurses, and QIs.

Jim Thigpen has been a pediatric clinical pharmacist for 30 years and is currently an associate professor of pharmacy at East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy. When he began his training at MUSC in Charleston, SC, they were investigating Survanta and he has been witness to and a participant in the evolving world of neonatology since. He has spoken at several neonatal nursing conferences over the years and enjoys helping other practitioners learn about and apply pharmacotherapy in this special population.

Amy Holmes has practiced as a pharmacist for 21 years with the last 9 years being focused in neonatal critical care at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center in Winston Salem, NC. She holds degrees in pharmacy from University of North Carolina (BS) as well as the University of Maryland at Baltimore (PharmD). Amy serves as the Residency Program Director for the acute care PGY1 program at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center. She is active in state and national pharmacy organizations including the Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group (PPAG) and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).

I have been working in the neonatal area for about 40 years. I received my BSN from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I began working in the NICU right after graduation at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, MI. I then moved to Detroit and worked at Henry Ford Hospital for 7 years as an RN, Perinatal Educator, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and NNP. I completed my MSN at Wayne State University. I was the first NNP in Michigan, and after leaving Henry Ford, I started working at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Ann Arbor. We moved to Arizona in 1985. I worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center in Phoenix and Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa (including time at other Banner facilities at Baywood, Mesa Lutheran, and Thunderbird). I completed my PhD at the University of Arizona in Tucson in 2005, and moved to Omaha, NE to begin teaching in the NNP program at Creighton University. I have continued to work most weekends in the NICUs at Methodist Women’s Hospital, Creighton University Medical Center, Lakeside Hospital, and Bergan Mercy Medical Center (CHI Health). I love both teaching and the clinical aspects of the NNP role. I love working with students and helping them “get” the connection between physiology and the disease. I also get a “kick” out of attending deliveries, bagging infants, and intubating them!! I love that adrenaline rush! I also enjoy biking, reading a good novel, and enjoy roller blading (until I broke my leg 4 years ago). I have been pretty cautious with my roller skating since then. I have two sons – one in college and one who recently graduated from college and is working in downtown San Francisco. My husband and I love to travel (when I get time off) and have done some kayaking on the beautiful Nebraska lakes.

Ying-Tang Ng is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at Husson University School of Pharmacy in Bangor, Maine. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Wingate University School of Pharmacy in Wingate, NC. Post graduation, Dr. Ng completed her pharmacy practice residency at Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, FL and pediatric specialty residency at Texas Tech University School of Pharmacy in Amarillo, TX. Prior to joining Husson University, Dr. Ng practiced at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC as a clinical pharmacist and at Children’s Hospital of Michigan (CHM) in Detroit, MI as a clinical pharmacy specialist in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). At CHM, Dr. Ng also served as the Post-Graduate-Year (PGY-1) residency coordinator for 1st-year residents. Dr. Ng is a Board Certified Pediatric Pharmacotherapy Specialist. She is currently an active member of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) and the Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group (PPAG).

John Brock Harris, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy, joined Wingate University School of Pharmacy in November 2012. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering concentrating in Biosciences from North Carolina State University in 2002. After completing undergraduate work, he received his Doctorate of Pharmacy from The University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill School of Pharmacy in 2007. He completed his first year post-graduate education at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, North Carolina followed by second year post-graduate education specializing in pediatrics at Monroe Carell, Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Harris became Board Certified in Pharmacotherapy while completing his pediatric post-graduate work in 2009 and Board Certified in Pediatric Pharmacotherapy in 2016. Dr. Harris is an inpatient clinical practice faculty member in pediatrics at Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina where he has practiced for nearly 10 years.