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Melissa Murfin
Assistant Professor - Physician Assistant Studies
Physician Assistant Studies
Gerald L. Francis Center 217
2087 Campus Box
Elon, NC 27244
mmurfin@elon.edu
Phone: (336) 278-6857

Brief Biography

Dr. Melissa Murfin joined the faculty of the Elon University Department of Physician Assistant Studies in September, 2012. She was previously a member of the faculty at the LECOM School of Pharmacy in Bradenton, FL where she was the course coordinator for Physical Assessment, Drug Literature Evaluation and Clinical Toxicology. She is also a member of the peer review panel of Prescriber's Letter.

Dr. Murfin received a Doctor of Pharmacy and a Master's of Physician Assistant Studies concurrently from the University of Florida. She also holds a B.S. in Molecular Biology/Microbiology from the University of Central Florida. She is licensed as both a physician assistant and a pharmacist in NC and FL. Her past work experiences include the areas of endocrinology, infectious disease and internal medicine. She has a passion for working with the underserved and is currently practicing at the Open Door Clinic, a free clinic for patients 18 to 64 who are low-income and have no insurance. 

Dr. Murfin's research interests include access to care in the underserved, effects of endurance training on athletes and the use of technology in medicine and medical education.

Education

PharmD -- University of Florida

MPAS -- University of Florida

BS -- University of Central Florida

 

Courses Taught

Current Courses

Pharmacology

Department of Physician Assistant Studies

 

 

 

Current Projects

Medical informatics: use of antibiotic apps as decision-support tools

Efficacy comparison of generic glucometers (proposed)

Incidence of pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence in female endurance athletes (proposed)

Implementation of CDC screening recommendations in a medically-underserved population (proposed)

 

Publications

Murfin, M., Wargo, R. and Vazquez, A. Experiences in a Student-Run Medication Assistance Program. Am J Health Syst Pharm. Accepted for publication 2013. 

Murfin, M. What's New in...Weight Management. JAAPA. Dec, 2012.

 

CE/CME for Pharmacist’s Letter/Prescriber’s Letter

Opioid Rotation: Considerations in Opioid Switching, Including Newer Opioid Options

Perioperative Pain Management: How to Help Patients Pre- and Post-op

Osteoporosis Case Study

 

CE for Pharmacist’s Letter

Diabetes Update for Pharmacists

Pharmacy Law Update

 

CE for Pharmacy Technician’s Letter

Pharmacy Law Update for Technicians

Keeping the Pharmacy Running - Pharmacy Business for Technicians

Presentations

Experiences in a Student-Run Patient Assistance Program

Poster Presentation

ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting

 

Gastroparesis: When Good Stomachs Go Bad

Southeast Gatherin’ conference

Florida Pharmacists’ Association

 

Celiac Disease: Life Without Wheat

Southeast Gatherin’ conference

Florida Pharmacists’ Association

 

Knowing Your Medicines

Q and A with Sjogren’s Support Group

 

A Critical Component: The Role of the Pharmacist in Thyroid Disease Management

Team presentation to local pharmacists

 

The FDA Drug Approval Process

Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences 8th grade Mock UN class

Professional Activities

Peer review. Prescriber's Letter. 2008 - present.