Sarah Melton, professor of pharmacy practice at the Gatton College of Pharmacy, was one of three ETSU faculty members honored with the Distinguished Faulty Award. The award is the highest honor an ETSU professor can receive and includes a $5,000 prize funded by the ETSU Foundation and a medallion.
“When we don’t just focus on ourselves, we’re able to make a much better difference in the world,” said Melton.
Melton received the Distinguished Faculty Award in Service for enacting change within her community and among her students. She is dedicated to caring for patients with mental illness and addiction disease through her training as a board-certified psychiatric pharmacist and ambulatory care pharmacist, while tirelessly working to destigmatize these issues.
“When I was in pharmacy school, I did a rotation with adolescents who had mental health issues and had a wonderful psychiatrist I got to work with,” said Melton, “and I just knew then that psychiatry is what I wanted to do, and I knew I could make a big difference.”
Outside of teaching classes in neuropsychology, therapeutics and an addiction elective, Melton serves as faculty advisor for the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists Generation Rx Committee and the student chapter of the College of Neurologic and Psychiatric Pharmacy.
She works with three different clinics at ETSU: the HIV Center of Excellence, the Johnson City Community Health Center and ETSU Health Internal Medicine. Melton also volunteers at One Care of Southwest Virginia which works to decrease substance use disorder.
“Part of what I do is work in Virginia and Tennessee, as well, with legislators to help construct good bills that have to do with prescription drug misuse or appropriate use of medications,” said Melton.
Not only is Melton passionate about teaching excellence and service, but also for educating and guiding the public with her expertise.
A project Melton has been involved with is Operation Substance Use Disorder which includes naloxone education. By working with legislators, Melton has made naloxone, a life-saving drug for overdose emergencies, easily accessible at pharmacies. She trains ETSU medical and pharmacy students along with community members on the use of naloxone and how to respond to an overdose.
“Where I feel most accomplished is when I am with students and I see them get excited about learning and I see them get excited about service,” said Melton. “They know that they’re making a difference then I know I’ve done my job: to motivate them, to mentor them.”
Several of Melton’s students have followed in her path as psychiatric pharmacists in medically underserved areas, carrying on the torch of education and excellence in their fields.
Melton encourages students to find mentors who will guide them towards success and to take advantage of the opportunities ETSU offers.
“ETSU is an amazing place, especially the College of Pharmacy,” said Melton. “I have had so much support for myself and for the students to get out there and do whatever we wanted to do.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.