2019 ACCP Clinical Pharmacy Challenge Championship Team (left to right): Joel Marrs (faculty advisor), Kyle Coronato, Armen Fstkchian, and Mary Reilly.

The three-member team from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences captured the 2019 ACCP Clinical Pharmacy Challenge title, prevailing over the team from the Butler University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences. From an initial field of 120 teams, these two teams advanced through four online rounds of competition as well as live quarterfinal and semifinal matches to face each other in the final round held on Monday, October 28, at the 40th Anniversary ACCP Annual Meeting in New York City.

The Clinical Pharmacy Challenge, now in its 10th year, affords teams of three pharmacy students the opportunity to compete in a “quiz bowl”–type competition. Each round of competition has three segments: Trivia/Lightning, Clinical Case, and Jeopardy-style. Items are written and reviewed by an expert panel of ACCP members.

A large and enthusiastic crowd of ACCP Annual Meeting attendees gathered to cheer on both teams in the final round match. Representing Team Colorado were Kyle Coronato (team leader), Armen Fstkchian, and Mary Reilly. Team Butler was represented by David Kaylor (team leader), Drew Johnson, and Josh Murdock. The two teams faced strong opponents throughout the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, with close matches. During the final match, both teams demonstrated an impressive knowledge base and had strong moments in the Trivia/Lightning and Clinical Case segments. The final section of the match was the Jeopardy-style round, where teams were presented with 15 items (three items of 100, 200, or 300 points) in each of the following categories: Cardiovascular Disorders, Endocrinology, Hematology/Oncology, Infectious Diseases, and Potpourri. The teams employed strategic choices as they navigated the Jeopardy grid, selecting the item categories they believed would match their own unique strengths. Team Colorado maintained an early lead and emerged victorious at the end of the round.

Please join ACCP in congratulating the teams from both universities on their outstanding academic achievement. To view a complete listing of the teams that participated and progressed through each round of this year’s competition, please visit www.accp.com/stunet.