Alumnae Parents/Pharmacists, Richard & Nicole Mistichelli, Visit Future Medical Professionals Club

A large crowd of Mount Saint Mary Academy students turned out on the afternoon of November 19 to hear Mr. Richard Mistichelli and Mrs. Nicole Mistichelli, accomplished pharmacists, impart their knowledge about the career field and demonstrate various pharmaceutical techniques. This opportunity was offered by the Mount’s Future Medical Professionals Club, which is advised by Dr. Michael Bernard, Science Teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Mistichelli are the parents of Alexa Mistichelli '20 and Dena Mistichelli '23.

 

The Mistichellis are both Bachelor of Science and Registered Pharmacists (B.S., RPh) and they graduated in 1998 from Rutgers University College of Pharmacy. Mrs. Mistichelli said, "Rich and I, along with our family, are owners of four independent pharmacies (Liss Pharmacy and Heller Pharmacy of Newark, Levy Drugs in Lyndhurst, and Little Silver Family Pharmacy in Little Silver). Rich is also Pharmacist in Charge at Liss Pharmacy and manages the four stores." 

 

During their visit, the Mistichellis discussed different careers available to pharmacists (retail, hospital, industry, consulting, etc.) and spoke about the typical curriculum of a pharmacy student and what the program of study entails.

 

According to Mrs. Mistichelli, demonstrations included: reconstituting a powdered antibiotic (adding a measured amount of water to the pre-packaged powder to create a liquid medicine); filling gelatin capsules with powder; grinding tablets win a mortar and pestle to produced powdered medication; and using a compounding tile and spatulas to combine an ointment (oil-based) and a cream (water-based) as well as a powdered medication to create a topical product and place a new preparation into an ointment jar for dispensing.

 

“Students also learned how to fill a syringe from a vial of sterile saline water and injected it into a clementine to demonstrate proper injection technique when a pharmacist immunizes patients,” said Mrs. Mistichelli.

 

Dr. Bernard noted, “The injection technique enabled students to develop proficiency within a controlled and safe environment. Such experiential learning approaches are essential for bridging theoretical knowledge with practical application.”