Edward M. DeSimone, RPh, PhD, FAPhA

Professor

Contact

EdwardDeSimone@creighton.edu
School of Pharmacy and Health Professions
Pharmacy
Pharmacy Faculty
Pharmacy Sciences
Faculty - Pharmacy, OT, PT
HLSB - Hixson Lied Science Building - 124

Edward M. DeSimone, RPh, PhD, FAPhA

Professor

Dr. DeSimone received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees from Temple University in Philadelphia. He has worked in both community and hospital practice. He also served as a consultant to the FDA, USP, and the pharmaceutical industry. He has been a Contributing Editor for U.S. Pharmacist since 1996. Dr. DeSimone has published more than 80 professional papers and has had chapters in three different textbooks. He taught at Butler University for 12 years and has been on the Creighton faculty since 1989. He serves as Professor of Pharmacy Sciences and currently teaches Calculations in Pharmacy Practice, a course on addiction and substance use disorders., and is a guest lecturer in five different courses.
    He served on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy until July 2017. He was a founding member of the Nebraska Coalition for Patient Safety (NCPS), the only federal patient safety organization in Nebraska, since its founding in 2005 and served on the Boad of Directors for 15 years.  He represents the Nebraska Pharmacists Association and continues to serve on the coalition’s Reporting Committee to review medical errors that are reported. Dr. DeSimone is the Founding President and Founding Chairman of the Board of Coalition Rx, a community-based organization dedicated to fighting the problem of prescription drug abuse. He continues to serve on the Board of Directors. He is a past member of the Nebraska Pharmacists Association Board of Directors. Dr. DeSimone is also a Past President of the Greater Omaha Pharmacists Association as well as the Bucks County (PA) Pharmacists Association. He is active in numerous pro-life organizations including Pharmacists for Life International, Nebraskans Embracing Life, Life Runners, and others. He serves on the Board of Director of Business and Professional People for Life which is based in Omaha. He has served as the Faculty Moderator of Creighton Students for Life since 1994.
    Dr. DeSimone is often invited to speak to professional organizations on such diverse topics as addiction and substance use disorders, adult children of addicts, medication errors and risk management, and communication issues in practice.
He and his wife, Sandy, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2021. They have 3 children and 5 grandchildren and both hold Certificates in Family Ministry from Creighton University. His personal interests include playing basketball and gardening. He has been a soccer referee since 1984 refereeing youth, high school, and college soccer.

Teaching Interests

  • Addiction and Substance Use Disorders

Research Focus

Addiction and Substance-Related Disorders
Medication Errors and Risk Management
Varios educational topics related to teaching

Department

Pharmacy Sciences

Position

Professor

Articles

  • U.S. Pharmacist
    DeSimone EM, Davidian MH, Tilleman J, Atkinson C.Fibromyalgia: A Painful Mystery 2021
  • US Pharmacist
    DeSimone EM, Tilleman JA, Giles M, Moussa B. Cystic Fibrosis: Update on Treatment Guidelines and New Recommendations. 
    43(5), p. 16-21 2018
  • US Pharmacist
    Kaku KA, Davidian MH, DeSimone EM. Leptospirosis: Potential Rise from Hurricanes and Floods.
    43(4), p. HS2-HS6 2018
  • US Pharmacist
    DeSimone EM, Tilleman JA, Kaku KA, Erickson C. Expanding access to naloxone.
    43(3), p. 16-20 2018
  • US Pharmacist
    Tilleman JA, Pick A, DeSimone EM, Price Stephanie, Runia-Bade L. Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
    43(2)(Specialty&Oncology suppl), p. 2-5 2018
  • U.S. Pharmacist
    Kessinger H, Knezevich EL, DeSimone EM, Davidian MH. Pumping it up: New advances in insulin delivery.
    42(11), p. Epub:1-7. 2017
  • US Pharmacist
    Kerner D, DeSimone EM, Davidian MH.  Prevention and treatment of spider bites.
    42(8), p. 29-30,32,34. 2017
  • US Pharmacist
    Scheffel EC, DeSimone EM, Davidian MH. Bed-Wetting: Approaches to nocturnal enuresis in children.
    42(5), p. 32-35 2017
  • US Pharmacist
    Tilleman JA, DeSimone EM, McAuliffe RJ. Urate-Lowering Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of Gout Flare.
    42(3), p. 33-37 2017
  • US Pharmacist
    Wu, Y, Davidian MH, DeSimone EM. Guidelines for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
    41(6), p. 36-40 2016
  • US Pharmacist
    Tilleman JA, DeSimone EM, Scheffel L. Depression in the type 1 diabetic pediatric patient.
    41(5), p. 27-30 2016
  • U.S. Pharmacist
    DeSimone EM, Popken DE. Herpes Zoster: Counseling patients about prevention and treatment.
    41(4), p. 53-62 2016
  • U.S. Pharmacist
    DeSimone EM, Pietig BA. Current Considerations in the Treatment of Glaucoma.
    40(6), p. 39-44 2015
  • US Pharmacist
    Schroeder AP, Tilleman JA, DeSimone EM. Lead toxicity and chelation therapy.
    40(5), p. 40-44 2015
  • U.S. Pharmacist
    DeSimone EM, Tilleman JA, Powell T. Treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
    39(11), p. 38-41 2014
  • US Pharmacist
    Tilleman JA, Begley KJ, DeSimone EM, Valmores R. Identifying and treating migraines in children.
    39(3), p. 56-60 2014
  • US Pharmacist
    DeSimone EM, Busby K. Adult ADHD: Treatment of a grown-up disorder.
    39(1), p. 52-56 2014
  • US Pharmacist
    Wiggans MW, DeSimone EM. Monogenic diabetes: the secret is in the gene.
    38(10), p. (Diabetes Suppl):3-6 2013
  • US Pharmacist
    Johnson K., DeSimone EM. Eating disorders: the weight of food.
    38(9), p. HS1-HS5 2013
  • U.S. Pharmacist
    DeSimone, EM, McKenzie, M. The rise in bed bugs: prevention, management, and treatment.
    37(8), p. 47-50 2012
  • US Pharmacist
    DeSimone EM, Tatsak JW. Bell’s palsy: To treat or not to treat.
    37(1), p. 26-29 2012
  • US Pharmacist
    Tilleman JA, DeSimone EM, Kirby EA, Drug Treatment of Addictive Diseases.
    36(11), p. 82-92 2011
  • US Pharmacist
    Gillespie ND, DeSimone EM. Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Women: What not to use.
    36(9), p. 44,46-48 2011
  • US Pharmacist
    Pick AM, DeSimone EM. Pancreatic cancer: insidious and deadly.
    36(3)(Oncology/Hematology Supplement), p. 3-8 2011
  • US Pharmacist
    DeSimone EM, Crimmins JM. Essential tremor: a common disorder with limited treatments.
    36(3), p. HS23-27 2011
  • US Pharmacist
    Lenz TL, DeSimone EM, Pomeroy JM. Implementing lifestyle medicine in hypertensive patients.
    36(2), p. 44-50 2011
  • Substance Abuse
    Baldwin, JN, Scott DM, DeSimone II EM, Forrester JH, Fankhauser MP. Substance Use, Attitudes, and Behaviors at Three Pharmacy Colleges.
    32(1), p. 27-35 2011
  • US Pharmacist
    DeSimone EM, Viereck L. Alzheimer’s Disease: Increasing numbers, but no cure.
    36(1), p. 26,32-34,41-42 2011
  • U.S. Pharmacist
    DeSimone EM, Morales PC, Vetter JM. Management of Cushing’s Syndrome. US Pharm, 2010;
    35(6), p. 25-26,29,35 2010
  • US Pharmacist
    Pick AM, DeSimone EM, Harris JL. The Management of Acute Postoperative Pain.
    35(5), p. HS2-4, HS6-7 2010
  • U.S. Pharmacist
    DeSimone EM, Burke R. Tuberculosis: Insidious but treatable. US Pharm, 2009;34(7):
    34(7), p. HS2-HS4,HS7-HS8 2009
  • Substance Abuse
    Baldwin, Jeffrey N., Bartek, Jean K., Scott, David M., Davis-Hall, R., DeSimone II, Edward M. Survey of Alcohol and Other Drug Use Attitudes and Behaviors in Nursing Students
    30, p. 230-238 2009
  • U.S. Pharmacist
    DeSimone EM, Ryan M. Osteoporosis: a preventable part of aging. US Pharm, 2009;: 
    34(6), p. 27-8,33-4,36 2009
  • US Pharmacist
    DeSimone, E. M., Wilcox, S. M., Theer, T., USPHD5 Leprosy: A new look at an old disease
    30, p. HS13-HS14 2005
  • US Pharmacist
    DeSimone, E. M., Lanspa, S. J., Hoerefe, D., Terlaje, C. Management and treatment of Crohn's disease
    29, p. 95-02 2004
  • US Pharmacist
    DeSimone EM. Allergic rhinitis and its link to asthma.
    25(9)(IMPACT supplement), p. 1-14 2000

Publications

  • American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education
    Tran T, Ball J, Bratberg JP, DeSimone EM, et al. Report of the 2020 Special Committee on Substance Use and Pharmacy Education
    84(11), p. 1545-1559 2020

Presentations

  • The Death of Promise and The Promise of Death: The Impact of Drug Abuse & Addiction Sophomore Parent Conference (2 nights) V.J. and ANGELA SKUTT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Omaha, NE 2021
  • The Mortar Bowl: The Original Competition of Pharmacy Knowledge (with Dr. Jennifer Tilleman) - NEBRASKA PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION, Fall Forum 2021
  • The Opioid Crisis - CRIME STOPPERS NATIONAL TRAINING CONFERENCE 2021
  • Abortifacient or Contraceptive? BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE FOR LIFE, Omaha, NE 2021
  • The Opioid Epidemic and Addiction: The Death of Promise and the Promise of Death. Metropolitan (Police) Chiefs Association. 2021
  • Contract Grading Roundtable Presentation. American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Annual Meeting. 2021
  • Webinar: (Invited) Co-presenter with Naser Alsharif.Distance Education: A Choice or a Must! What We Have Learned After 20 Years.MARSHALL B. KETCHUM UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE OF PHARMACY, Fullerton, CA.What to know, do, and not do in setting up a distance program within your school based on what we have learned at Creighton. 2020
  • Addiction and Opioids: The Death of Promise and the Promise of Death at Omaha Breakfast Optimist Club 2020
  • BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS of the Midlands, Omaha, NE"Addiction: The Death of Promise and the Promise of Death" 2018
  • SOUTH OMAHA VIOLENCE INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION GROUP (SOVIP), Omaha, NE, "Opiates, Fentanyl, and Addiction: A Deadly Scenario" 2018
  • MARIAN HIGH SCHOOL. Spoke to an all-school assembly on "The Death of Promise and the Promise of Death: The Impact of Drug Abuse & Addiction". 2018
  • COMMON GROUND - Creighton University, Health Sciences Multicultural and Community Affairs (MACA), Omaha, NE. "The Secrets of Addiction and Substance Related Disorders" 2018
  • COALITION RX, The State of Prescription Drug Abuse in Nebraska Conference, Omaha, NE. "The Dynamics of Addiction and Substance Related Disorders" 2017
  • CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY, DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE, GRAND ROUNDS, CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center Bergan Mercy, Omaha, NE. "The Dynamics of Addiction and Substance Related Disorders" 2017
  • NEBRASKA PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION, Annual Convention; Lincoln, NE, "The Mortar Bowl: The Original Competition of Pharmacy Knowledge™" 2017
  • NEBRASKA COALITION FOR PATIENT SAFETY (Webinar) - "Medication Errors: Causes and Risk Management" 2017
  • SCHUYLER POLICE DEPARTMENT, Schuyler, NE."Understanding Addiction and Substance Related Disorders" 2017
  • METROPOLITAN CHIEFS ASSOCIATION, Omaha, NE. "The Dynamics of Addiction" 2017
  • KEYSTONE TREATMENT & OUTREACH CENTER, Partners in Education, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 1. "The Dynamics of Addiction, Substance-Related Disorders, and Prescription Drug Abuse." 2. "Adult Children: The Secrets of Dysfunctional Families" 2017
  • NEBRASKA NURSING FACILITY ASSOCIATION, NEBRASKA ASSISTED LIVING ASSOCIATION, AND LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE ASSOCIATION OF NEBRASKA, Annual Convention, La Vista, NE"The Dynamics of Addiction, Substance-Related Disorders, and Prescription Drug Abuse.""Medication Errors: Causes and Risk Management?""Barriers and Strategies For Effective Communication" 2016
  • NEBRASKA PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION, Annual Convention; Lincoln, NE. "The Mortar Bowl: The Original Competition of Pharmacy Knowledge™" 2016
  • NEBRASKA REGIONAL POISON CENTER, Omaha, NE. "Addiction and Substance-Related Disorders" 2015
  • NEBRASKA PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION, Annual Convention; Lincoln, NE. "The Mortar Bowl: The Original Competition of Pharmacy Knowledge™" 2015
  • NEBRASKA NURSING FACILITY ASSOCIATION AND NEBRASKA ASSISTED LIVING ASSOCIATION, Annual Convention, Kearney, NE. 1. "Why Do Medication Errors Happen and What Can I Do?". 2. "Addiction, Chemical Dependency, and the Growing Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis". 3. "The Fallout from Addiction: Adult Children, Family Roles and Codependence.". 4. "Strategies For Resolving Communication Issues". 2015
  • March 2015 - NEBRASKA HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE ASSOCIATION, Annual Convention; Lincoln, NE. 1. "Why Do Medication Errors Happen and What Can I Do?". 2. "The Fallout from Addiction: Adult Children, Family Roles and Codependence". 2015
  • CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY, University Assessment Symposium, "Identification of Factors that Affect Student Performance in a Pharmacy Calculations Course", (Poster Presentation with Justin Tolman and Yongyue Qi). 2015
  • NEBRASKA PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION, Annual Convention; Lincoln, NE. "The Mortar Bowl: The Original Competition of Pharmacy Knowledge™" 2014
  • Nebraska Nursing Facility Association & Nebraska Assisted Living Association, Annual Meeting, Kearney, Nebraska 2013
  • COPIC 5th Annual Nebraska Risk Management Symposium, Lincoln, NE. "Understanding America's Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis" 2013
  • COPIC and NEBRASKA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 4 Seminars in Nebraska - "Facts, Fiction, and Reality: A Multidisciplinary Look at the Use, Abuse, and Diversion of Prescription Drugs in Nebraska" (Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney, and Columbus). Presentation: "Epidemic: Responding to America's Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis". 2012
  • BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE FOR LIFE. Omaha, NE. "War of the Worlds: The Theft of Conscience". 2012
  • NEBRASKA PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION, Annual Convention; Lincoln, NE. 1. "The Mortar Bowl: The Original Competition of Pharmacy Knowledge™" 2. "Epidemic: Responding to America's Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis" 2012
  • SOUTHWEST IOWA PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION. Council Bluffs, IA, "Patient Safety II: Risk Management for Minimizing Harm (and Claims)". 2012
  • CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, Grand Rounds, Department of Medicine. "Reading, 'Riting, and 'Rithmetic: Preventing Medication Errors" 2011
  • AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES OF PHARMACY, Annual Meeting; San Antonio, TX, Continuing Education Section."The Joint Accreditation Process, One School's Experience: Creighton University"Substance Abuse Education and Assistance SIG."Teaching About Addiction and Substance Abuse Outside the Classroom". School Posters."Integrating Basic and Clinical Sciences: From Philosophy & Process to Implementation & Assessment" 2011
  • UNIVERSITY OF UTAH SCHOOL ON ALCOHOLISM AND OTHER DRUG DEPENDENCIES, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1. "The Fallout from Addiction: Dysfunctional Families, Adult Children, and Codependence". 2. "Intervention Strategies: What Healthcare Professionals Need to Know". 2011
  • NEBRASKA PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION, Annual Convention; Lincoln, NE, "The Mortar Bowl: The Original Competition of Pharmacy Knowledge™". 2011
  • 13th ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY IN THE PROFESSION OF PHARMACY, Columbus, Ohio, "The Fallout from Addiction: Dysfunctional Families, Adult Children, and Codependency". 2011
  • AMERICAN PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION, Annual Meeting; Seattle, WA, "Student Pharmacists' Beliefs on Conscientious Refusal" (Poster Presentation). 2011

Awards

  • Distinguished Service Award
    AACP, Substance Use Disorders SIG
  • Educator of the Year
    SPAHP, Distance Class of 2023