Mark Walberg
At Pacific Since: 2006
Mark P. Walberg '06, '09, PharmD, PhD, CTH earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in biology from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He earned his doctor of pharmacy and doctor of philosophy from University of the Pacific. Dr. Walberg joined the Pacific faculty in 2009 and brings a wealth of experience as a community pharmacist and an infusion/oncology clinical pharmacist.
As a Regional Coordinator in the Los Angeles area, Dr. Walberg assists with community and advanced community rotations through discussions on immunizations, travel health and oral oncology medications. In this role he oversees practice sites where students have the opportunity to volunteer for an underserved community.
His goal is to share his knowledge with future pharmacists and healthcare providers so they can better the lives of their patients. He also believes there are many misconceptions regarding vaccine-preventable diseases and that it is very important to correct any misinformation.
Dr. Walberg is certified in, and a faculty trainer for, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery Certification Training Program. He has also completed the APhA Pharmacy-Based Travel Health Services Certification and holds a Certificate in Knowledge in Travel Health® from the International Society of Travel Medicine. To pass on the knowledge he has gained in these areas, Dr. Walberg offers online elective courses in advanced immunizations and immunology, the history and future of vaccines and travel health/medicine.
As a student at Pacific, Dr. Walberg was inducted into the Gamma Nu chapter of Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity and has served as a Regent and the chapter's Grand Council Deputy. He is a member of the International Society of Travel Medicine and the American Public Health Association. He is also involved in the Rho Chi Honor Society and Phi Lambda Sigma Leadership Society.
Dr. Walberg enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters. Outside of the University he is an active member of Living Oaks Community Church and a small group leader. He likes spending his time hiking and camping in the Sierras. He also enjoys visiting Kauai and exploring California's wine country. His interests include archery; he was on the collegiate team while a student at UCLA. He also has been an ice hockey coach and can drive a Zamboni.
BS in Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, 2001
MA in Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, 2003
PharmD, University of the Pacific, 2006
PhD in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences, University of the Pacific, 2009
Teaching Philosophy
"My goals as an educator are twofold. First, I focus on helping students understand the fundamental principles of a discipline or topic. The majority of my core science education focused on learning basic principles and the application of these principles through Socratic lecture styles. This experience has given me a great appreciation for learning and that learning is a lifelong process. It has shown me that once students are able to not just memorize, but instead comprehend and utilize basic fundamentals, they will be more likely to remember the information taught and be able to apply it in the real world.
Second, I emphasize practical, real-world application of knowledge. We have more information at our fingertips than ever before in history. And yet the information itself is almost worthless without the knowledge of how to apply it to the patient or situation at hand. Students are not always interested in learning something just for the sake of learning. In order to combat this, I make sure I can justify to them (and myself) the "why" behind the concepts and information that I teach them. When I explain a concept as both a teacher and a clinician that has seen and treated this disease or explained this concept to a patient about their child's drug therapy, it becomes real to the students."
Research Summary
"I try to help people afford their medications and get any vaccines they need. Ideally this will help people not get sick or be able to take the medications to treat any diseases they have."
Research Interests
- Patient Costs and Plan Variability Associated with Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program
- Enhancing Vaccine Uptake in Underserved and Under-Immunized Populations
Scholarly Activity
Patel RA, Walberg MP, Tong E, Tan F, Rummel AE, Woelfel JA, Carr-Lopez SM, Galal SM. Cost variability of suggested generic treatment alternatives under the Medicare Part D benefit. J Managed Care Pharmacy. 2014;20:283-90.
Woelfel JA, Carr-Lopez SM, Delos Santos M, Bui A, Patel RA, Walberg MP, Galal SM. Assessing Medicare beneficiaries' willingness-to-pay for medication therapy management services. The Consultant Pharmacist. 2014;29(2):104-9.
Walberg MP. The risk of Guillain-Barre Syndrome following influenza vaccination. Drug Topics. September 2013;157(9):39,55. (also published in Formulary. September 2013;48(9):303.)
Walberg MP. Give it your best shot: Four simple tips for vaccinators. Drug Topics. August 2013;157(8):34-37.
Patel RA, Walberg MP, Woelfel JA, Amaral MM, Varu P. Medicare Part D Roulette: Potential Implications of Random Assignment and Plan Restrictions. Medicare & Medicaid Research Review. 2013;3(2):E1-E14.
