Maryam Iranikhah
Professor
McWhorter School of Pharmacy
Department of Pharmacy Practice
1405 CHS Building 1
miranikh@samford.edu
205-726-2086

Maryam Iranikhah joined the faculty of Samford University in 2009 and is a tenured professor of pharmacy practice at Samford University’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy.

She holds a Doctor of Pharmacy from Samford University and a Bachelor of Science from Ryerson University. She is a board-certified geriatric pharmacist and a fellow of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists.

Recognized for excellence in education, Iranikhah has received multiple honors, including the McWhorter School of Pharmacy Scholar Award, the Margaret Self Propst Pharmacy Teacher of the Year Award and Preceptor of the Year Award.

She is actively involved in professional organizations and has served on national and state committees for the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, Alabama Society of Health-System Pharmacists, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and American Pharmacists Association. Over the years, she has held various leadership roles, including committee member, chair and delegate. She currently advises the Rho Chi student chapter at the McWhorter School of Pharmacy.

Her expertise includes geriatrics, osteoporosis and chronic disease management, with a research focus on osteoporosis, medication safety in the elderly and innovative pharmacy education. She has published several peer-reviewed studies and presented at national conferences, contributing significantly to pharmacy education and patient care.

Iranikhah believes in the truth of Romans 12:10: “Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect for each other.”

Degrees and Certifications

  •  Doctor of Pharmacy, Samford University (2002, Cum Laude)

  •  Bachelor of Science, Chemistry, Ryerson University (1996)

  • Bachelor of Science, Biology, University of Alabama in Birmingham (1998)

  • PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency with emphasis in Ambulatory Care, Jefferson County Health Department & Samford University, McWhorter School of Pharmacy 

  • Board Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy (BCGP), 2011–Present

  • Fellow, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (FASCP), 2011–Present

  • Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery Certificate, APhA, 2002–Present

  • Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Certification, APhA, 2012–Present

  • Diabetes Care Certification, APhA, 2015–Present

  • Sterile Compounding Certification, ALBOP, 2015–Present

  • Consultant Pharmacist Certification, ALBOP, 2015–Present

  • Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS), Red Cross, 2011–Present

  • Preceptor Certification, ALBOP, 2011–Present

  • Alabama Pharmacist Licensure, 2002-Present

Awards and Honors

  • McWhorter School of Pharmacy Scholar Award
  • Margaret Self Propst Pharmacy Teacher of the Year Award, 2011 
  • Preceptor of the Year Award, 2012, 2020 
  • Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Society, 2013 
  • Rho Chi Honor Society, 2000-Present 
  • Outstanding Senior Project, 2002 
  • The Glaxo-SmithKline award for superior achievement in patient care, 2002 

Involvement

  • American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP), 2011–Present 

  • Alabama Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ALSHP), 2008–Present 

  • American Pharmacists Association (APhA), 2014–2023 

  • American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), 2010–2019 

  • Rho Chi Honor Society, 2000-present member, Faculty Advisor (2024–Present) 

  • Center for Faith and Health, Samford University, 2023–Present 

  • Legacy League, Samford University, 2022–Present 

Expertise 

  • Practice Area: Geriatrics, Chronic Disease Management, Osteoporosis 
  • Expertise in: Precepting and teaching in classroom, laboratory, and simulation 
  • Research Areas: Osteoporosis, medication safety in older adults, innovative pharmacy education 

Publications 

  • Trigillo s, Iranikhah M, Driskell G, Smith A, Morato GS.  Readmission Rate Among Hospitalized Geriatric Patients Discharged on Beers Criteria Medications [Poster]. American Society of Health System Pharmacy Mid-year Meeting, 2023, Anaheim, CA. 
  • Owen Callie, Boyd KE, Iranikhah M.  Transitioning to social media-based methods of community service and public education provided by pharmacy students in response to COVID-19.  InPharmative. Aug. 2023;9(3). 
  • Rambo M, Iranikhah M, White CW.  Aspirin for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke in the Elderly.  InPharmative. May 2022;8(2):12-15. 
  • Oakley RG, Iranikhah M, McCarty R, et al. Hospital dexamethasone usage and outcomes in SARS-Cov-2 patients [Poster].  Alabama Society of Health System pharmacy fall meeting, Birmingham, Alabama, 2020. 
  • Slaton R, Boyd K, Iranikhah M, Romosozumb and sequential therapy in osteoporosis.  Sr Care Pharm. 2020;35(7):295-309.  
  • Iranikhah M, Deas C, Freeman MK,  Norton C,  Clinical and economic evaluation of parathyroid agonists for the treatment of osteoporosis. Consult Pharm. 2019  
  • Murphy PZ, Iranikhah M, Deas C, Freeman MK.  Fracture Risk Following Discontinuation of Teriparatide:  A review of the Literature.  Consult Pharm.  2018;33(7):365-75. 
  • Iranikhah M, Deas C, Murphy PZ, Freeman MK.  Effects of Denosumab After Treatment Discontinuation:  A review of the Literature.  Consult Pharm.  2018;33(3):142-151. 
  • Deas C, Murphy P, Iranikhah M, Freeman MK, Retained skeletal effects of zoledronic acid following treatment discontinuation:  a review of literature.  Consult Pharm.  2017;32(3):137-148. 
  • Iranikhah M, Freeman MK, Gunter SG. Vitamin D, Genetic polymorphism and Bone Health in African Americans. Austin J Nutr Metab.  2016;3(1):1035-41. 
  • Thomason AD, Naro PB, Thompson PA, Iranikhah M. Education of Pharmacy Students with Geriatric Sensitivity Training Exercise, Pharmacy education, 2016:16(1)6-10.  
  • Iranikhah M, Stricker S, Freeman MK.  Future of bisphosphonates and denosumab for men with advanced prostate cancer.  Cancer Management and Research. 2014 May;6:217-224. 
  • Iranikhah M, Wensel TM, Thomason AR.  Vilazodone for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder.  Pharmacotherapy. August 24th, 2012 on line (Article first published online : 24 AUG 2012, DOI: 10.1002/phar.1121). 
  • Freeman MK, White W, Iranikhah M. Tablet splitting:  a review of the weight/content uniformity and legal issues.  Consult Pharm. May 2012;27(5):341-52. 
  • Freeman MK, White W, Iranikhah M.  Tablet splitting:  a review of the clinical and economic outcomes and patient acceptance.  Consult Pharm. June 2012;27(6):421-429.  
  • Cates ME, Wensel TM, Waldrop BA, Iranikhah M, Antidepressant Pharmacology for the pharmacy Technician.  J Pharm Technol 2012;28:26-32 
  • Iranikhah M, Wilborn TW, Wensel TM, Ferrell JB.  Denosumab for the prevention of skeletal related events in patients with bone metastasis from solid tumor.  Pharmacotherapy 2012;32(3):274-284. 
  • Wensel TM, Iranikhah M, Wilborn TW.  Effects of Denosumab on Bone Mineral Density and Bone Turnover in Postmenopausal Women.  Pharmacotherapy May 2011;31(5):510-523. 
  • Leffler C, Yarbrough A, Iranikhah M, Benner K, Nancy Tofil N.  Prevalence of Piperacillin-Tazobactam Induced Neutropenia in Pediatrics [poster].  American Society of Health System Pharmacy Mid-year Meeting, 2012, Las Vegas, NV 
  • Kirkpatrick ME, Iranikhah M. An In-Depth Study of Patient’s Education and Opinions Regarding Medication Therapy Management Services [Poster].  McWhorter School of Pharmacy, 2011, Birmingham, AL