MCW Pharmacy School Advanced Physical Assessment Certificate Program

Self-Study Learning Objectives:

Describe the role of the pharmacist in conducting physical assessments. 

Recall the four steps involved in the physical assessment process: inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation. 

Recognize a patient-centered physical assessment care process. 

Summarize appropriate physical assessment techniques for the following topics: vital signs, diabetes, respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological. 

Live Seminar Learning Objectives: 

Diabetes

• Interpret physical assessment results and their implications for patient care.
• Perform a diabetic foot examination. 
• Compose an appropriate care plan for patients based on physical assessment results. 

Vitals

• Identify commonly measured vital signs.
• Describe the process by which vital signs are measured. 
• Perform the process to accurately collect vital signs. 

Cardiology

• Recall anatomy of the heart and associated vasculature.
• Perform examination techniques used in inspection, palpation and auscultation of the cardiovascular system. 
• Communicate findings through proper documentation. 

Respiratory

• Recall anatomy of the thorax and lungs. 
• Perform examination techniques used in inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation of the thorax. 
• Communicate findings through proper documentation.

Neurology

• Recall the 5 components of a neurological exam. 
• Describe the components of a cranial nerve exam. 
• Perform examination techniques for testing coordination and muscle strength.

APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition | Nashville, TN

Thursday, March 20, 2025
12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Pre-Work

The first component of the certificate program is composed pre-work videos providing foundational knowledge of cardiovascular, diabetes, neurobiological, respiratory, and vital diagnostic areas. This portion of the program also includes a final assessment that requires the learner to pass with a score of at least 70%.

Live Program Agenda

Registration, Welcome and Introductions 

Introduction to Physical Assessments 

• Karen MacKinnon, BPharm, RPh | Director of Outreach, Assistant Professor Medical College of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, Program Director

Diabetes Physical Assessment 

• Rachel Kavanaugh, PharmD, BCACP | Associate Professor, Director of Professional Labs – Year 2, Medical College of Wisconsin

Respiratory Physical Assessment

• Rachele Harrison, PharmD | Assistant Professor, Medical College of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy
• Amy Zosel, MD, MSCS | Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine

Vitals Collection 

• Mathew Letizia, PharmD | Assistant Professor, Director of Professional Labs – Year 2, Medical College of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy

Lunch Break 

Advanced Cardiovascular Physical Assessment

• Zachary Hovis, PharmD | Assistant Professor, Medical College of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy

Neurologic Physical Assessment 

• Jillian Theobald, MD, PHD | Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine

Wrap Up and Evaluations

Self-Study Learning Objectives:

Describe the role of the pharmacist in conducting physical assessments. 

Recall the four steps involved in the physical assessment process: inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation. 

Recognize a patient-centered physical assessment care process. 

Summarize appropriate physical assessment techniques for the following topics: vital signs, diabetes, respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological. 

Live Seminar Learning Objectives: 

Diabetes

• Interpret physical assessment results and their implications for patient care.
• Perform a diabetic foot examination. 
• Compose an appropriate care plan for patients based on physical assessment results. 

Vitals

• Identify commonly measured vital signs.
• Describe the process by which vital signs are measured. 
• Perform the process to accurately collect vital signs. 

Cardiology

• Recall anatomy of the heart and associated vasculature.
• Perform examination techniques used in inspection, palpation and auscultation of the cardiovascular system. 
• Communicate findings through proper documentation. 

Respiratory

• Recall anatomy of the thorax and lungs. 
• Perform examination techniques used in inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation of the thorax. 
• Communicate findings through proper documentation.

Neurology

• Recall the 5 components of a neurological exam. 
• Describe the components of a cranial nerve exam. 
• Perform examination techniques for testing coordination and muscle strength.

Monday, July 28, 2025
8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

MCW Milwaukee Campus
8701 Watertown Plank Rd. 
Milwaukee, WI 53226

Registration information will be posted at a later date.

Pre-Work

Participants are required to complete three hours of pre-work. Assignments will be distributed two weeks in advance of the program.

Live Program Agenda

8:30 - 9 a.m.
Registration, Welcome and Introductions
Continental Breakfast

9 a.m.
Introduction to Physical Assessments
Rachel Kavanaugh, PharmD, BCACP | Director of Professional Labs – Year 2, Associate Professor, MCW School of Pharmacy

9:15 a.m.
Diabetes Physical Assessment
Rachel Kavanaugh, PharmD, BCACP | Director of Professional Labs – Year 2,  Associate Professor, MCW School of Pharmacy

10:05 a.m.
Neurologic Exam
Jillian Theobald, MD, PhD | Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, MCW School of Medicine

10:55 a.m.
Vitals Collection
Mathew Letizia, PharmD | Assistant Professor, Director of Professional Labs – Year 1, MCW School of Pharmacy

11:45 a.m.
Lunch Break

12:30 p.m.
Advanced Cardiovascular Physical Assessment
Zachary Hovis, PharmD | Assistant Professor, MCW School of Pharmacy

1:20 p.m.
Respiratory Physical Assessment
Rachele Harrison, PharmD, MEd | Assistant Professor, MCW School of Pharmacy
Amy Zosel, MD, MSCS | Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, MCW School of Medicine

2:10 p.m.
Wrap up and evaluations

Fees and registration information for the upcoming certificate program will be posted in early 2025.