Saturday, July 1, 2017

St. Jude’s Influenza Center of Excellence and WHO Collaborating Center


A leader in the medical field, Dr. Ashkan Khabazian holds a doctor of pharmacy from the University of Michigan and a completed a general practice pharmacy residency at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego. He went on to serve as a Scripps clinical pharmacist before assuming his current position as lead clinical pharmacist in the emergency department of San Diego’s Sharp Memorial Hospital. Outside of the professional environment, Dr. Ashkan Khabazian supports multiple charitable organizations including the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital provides free treatment to critically ill children from around the world. The organization also engages in hundreds of ongoing medical research initiatives that span multiple fields. In the area of influenza research, it collaborates with both the World Health Organization and National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

St. Jude is one of only six Collaborating Centers that operate within the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS). The Hospital’s WHO/GISRS center works to eliminate the human threat posed by the influenza viruses of animals.

Recognized as one of six Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance by the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, St. Jude also spearheads a range of basic and clinical research initiatives that attempt to advance general scientific understanding of influenza. This general understanding allows scientists to strengthen their responses to the disease.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Why Pharmacists Monitor Drug Interactions


An experienced pharmacy professional, Ashkan Khabazian works as emergency department clinical pharmacist with Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, California. Ashkan Khabazian monitors drug interactions when supporting emergency care teams.

Pharmacists use their knowledge to improve the safety of patients who are taking multiple medications that may interact in ways detrimental to their health. This situation can arise in situations when different physicians prescribe medicine independently, without knowing what other treating physicians have prescribed. Drug interactions can make therapies less effective, result in active harm, or lead to the manifestation of unusual side effects.

In the United States alone, Americans who are 55 and older take roughly six to nine drugs on a daily basis. According to research, harmful drug interactions cause just over 0.5 percent of hospitalizations. However, when examining hospitalization among patients who are elderly, the percentage increases to nearly 5 percent. Some of the common symptoms caused by drug interactions include high blood pressure and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Preventing Weight Lifting Injuries


The lead emergency room clinical pharmacist for Sharp HealthCare, Dr. Ashkan Khabazian spends a portion of his free time working out. Dr. Ashkan Khabazian has been lifting weights his entire life.

Weight lifting boosts muscle mass, promotes weight loss, and increases metabolism. A few suggestions for preventing weight lifting injuries include:

- Don’t compare. Many weight lifters compare their weights to others while at the gym. While this can serve as motivation, it may also result in individuals pushing themselves too much. Instead of trying to out-lift another person, individuals should increase their weight amount gradually. Trying to rapidly move to heavier weights dramatically increases the risk of injury.

- Check your equipment. Weight lifting equipment is a common culprit when an injury occurs. However, it still goes unchecked by many weight lifters. Before starting a set, individuals should carefully check all the equipment they plan on using. This includes everything from lifting platforms and bars to shoes and clothing items.

- Lift regularly. Packing an entire week’s worth of weight lifting into a couple days places unnecessary strain on the body and frequently results in injury. Serious weight lifting must be a regular activity that is done throughout the week.

Friday, February 24, 2017

Wolverine’s Basketball Player Receives Dual Honors


A experienced clinical pharmacist in San Diego, Dr. Ashkan Khabazian assists physicians in the care of patients admitted to the emergency room at Sharp Memorial Hospital. Before beginning his career, Dr. Ashkan Khabazian graduated with a doctor of pharmacy from the University of Michigan, and he continues to cheer on the school’s basketball team.

In the first week of February, Michigan Wolverines senior guard Derrick Walton Jr. received honors as Co-Big Ten Player of the Week for his part in leading his team to victories over the Michigan State Spartans and the Indiana Hoosiers.

Over the two games, the senior averaged 22.5 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds. He also shot 60.9 percent overall and 83.3 percent from three-point range, along with making 12 of 12 free throws. With his performance against Michigan State, Walton became only the third player in Wolverines history to record career totals of 1,000 points, 400 rebounds, and 400 assists. 

The honors as Co-Big Ten Player of the Week follow Walton being recognized in early January as one of 30 men’s basketball players from across the country nominated for the Senior CLASS (Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School) Award. CLASS honors NCAA Division I senior student-athletes who demonstrate excellence in competition, character, classroom, and community.

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

HIIT Improves Heart Health and Is an Affordable Way to Keep Fit


Ashkan Khabazian, PharmD, is the emergency department clinical pharmacist for Sharp HealthCare in San Diego, California. Through his work, he provides assistance to doctors and other medical personnel in emergency situations. Outside of his profession, Dr. Ashkan Khabazian enjoys taking part in physical fitness, particularly HIIT.

HIIT is short for high intensity interval training. It is a form of cardio exercise that features quick, short bursts of activity, followed by longer periods of less strenuous work. Making HIIT a regular part of one’s workout routine comes with many benefits, including saving money and working toward a healthier heart.

HIIT can save individuals money, since there is no special equipment required. That means there is no need to join a gym, buy dumbbells, or even a bike. Jumping rope, jumping jacks, and even running combined with power walking can all make for a successful HIIT routine. It is also ideal for the heart, since the training can have a positive effect on building stamina. Studies found that individuals were able to work twice as long on an activity, such as biking, than they could before starting HIIT.