• Home
• UMB
• E-Mail
• Blackboard
• Mediasite
• Room Schedule
• SURFS
• Directory
• Portal
• Library

• Students
• Faculty and Staff

• About the School
• Departments
• Calendars and Events
• Research
• Centers and Programs
• Administrative Offices/Services

• Prospective Students
• Current Students
• Fellows and Residents
• Preceptors
• Faculty
• Staff
• Alumni

Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science

Metabolic Syndrome & Smoking

Metabolic Syndrome is the complex interaction of obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. This medical syndrome causes an increase in mortality and results in more debilitating illness than one disease alone. Under board-approved collaborative practice agreements with People's Community Health Centers, Inc. (People’s), Charmaine Rochester, PharmD, assistant professor, addresses the most serious and preventable risk factors associated with the disease for at-risk patients. She guides a group of 30 men at Baltimore’s Helping Up Mission in an examination of genetic, lifestyle and behavioral factors. This “Happy Hearts” program aims to reduce or modify patient risk factors and motivate them into adherence to their medical treatment.

Smoking is a significant risk for patients with metabolic syndrome. The outcome of Rochester’s smoking cessation intervention was evaluated and the research presented in conjunction with her student pharmacists. The significant positive outcomes are the basis for expanded services to at-risk men at the Helping Up Mission.