About

Candis M. Morello, Pharm.D., APh, CDCES, FCSHP, FASHP, is a Professor of Clinical Pharmacy and Associate Dean for Student Affairs at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Her research program involves exploring clinical outcomes in people with diabetes and associated disorders, including cardiac, renal, neuropathy, dyslipidemia, liver, and depression, as well as educational and wellness outcomes of student pharmacists. She maintains a practice as a Clinical Pharmacist Provider at the Veterans Affairs San Diego Health System, where she serves as Director of the Diabetes Intense Medical Management Clinic. Dr. Morello studies the impact of pharmacist-run diabetes comprehensive medication management services and lifestyle education on various health and economic outcomes, including metabolic control, quality of life, patient satisfaction, medication adherence, and long-term clinical results. She has established and directs a pharmacist-run diabetes clinic, demonstrating improved outcomes that have been widely cited and used to justify the development of similar services. Her contributions include creating innovative teaching methods and programs, such as the Diabetes Self-Care Education Program and the MTM Spider Web© tool, as well as developing comprehensive student wellness initiatives. Dr. Morello's extensive awards and leadership roles reflect her dedication to advancing pharmacy practice, education, and research in diabetes care.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Family medicine
• Surgery
• Clinical psychology
• Emergency medicine
• Nursing
• Physical therapy
• Internal medicine
• Psychiatry
• Psychology

Selected publications

• Emerging and Off-Label Uses Of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP1-RA) and Dual GIP/GLP1-RAs

  The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine · 2026-01-01

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  BACKGROUND: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs) and the glucagon-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP1-RA are approved for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity given their profound impact on glycemic weight management. Additional indications include reducing cardiovascular disease risk and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in T2D as well as obstructive sleep apnea in patients with obesity. These enhanced effects are likely due to their pleiotropic effects, leading to decreased inflammation and other benefits. This review explored emerging evidence for uses of GLP1-RAs and GIP/GLP1-RA that have been researched but not yet approved. Clinicians may use this information to guide treatment decisions. REVIEW PROCESS: PubMed and Embase literature searches were conducted using Medical Subject Heading terms. Studies referencing GLP1-RAs and GIP/GLP1-RA were included if they were published in approximately the last decade, included adults, and were either a randomized controlled trial, meta-analysis, or observational study. Of 319 articles reviewed, 27 met inclusion criteria. EMERGING AND COMPELLING USES: Initial positive impacts have been noted for the following conditions: liver disease/liver transplant, CKD/kidney transplant, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, substance use disorders, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, COVID-19 virus, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and short bowel syndrome. CONSIDERATIONS: Large randomized controlled trials may lead to approvals of these conditions and are encouraged. Safety and adverse effects of these medications must be assessed when initiating or modifying doses. CONCLUSION: GLP1-RAs and GIP/GLP1-RA have demonstrated early benefits to several conditions beyond their current approved indications. Clinicians can use this information to determine treatment options for patients, particularly in those with T2D, cardiovascular disease, and/or obesity.

  PublisherDOI

• Challenging Ableism in Pharmacy Education: A Call for Inclusive Technical Standards

  American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education · 2026-02-07

  articleOpen access

  Technical standards (TS) define the nonacademic requirements for admission, progression, and graduation in pharmacy education, yet they may also function as structural barriers for students with disabilities. Although other health professions have advanced guidance on inclusive TS, pharmacy education has lagged in both scholarship and implementation. This commentary synthesizes best practices for developing accessible TS drawn from health professions education literature, legal and accreditation frameworks, and professional guidance. Central recommendations include replacing organic, ability-based language with functional, competency-focused standards; clearly communicating disability disclosure and accommodation processes; aligning TS with competency-based education models; and maintaining a structured, interactive accommodation process supported by specialized Disability Resource Professionals. Two case examples from schools of pharmacy in the United States illustrate distinct approaches to TS revision, demonstrating how interdisciplinary collaboration, faculty education, legal review, and proactive communication can improve clarity, transparency, and inclusivity. These examples support cultural change and institutional accountability. Accessible, functional TS influences who is able to enter, persist in, and contribute to the pharmacy profession. Aligning TS with contemporary educational models represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen equity, workforce sustainability, and the future of pharmacy education.

  PublisherDOI

• A holistic approach to integrating well-being into pharmacy education: Reflection and lessons learned

  Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning · 2025-06-05 · 1 citations

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Associations between long-term metformin use, the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, and neuropathy: An All of Us research Program study

  Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice · 2025-08-22 · 5 citations

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Long-Term Impact of Sustained Knowledge, Confidence, and Clinical Application Following a First-Year Student Pharmacist Diabetes Self-Care Education Program

  Pharmacy · 2025-03-11 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  With diabetes reaching epidemic proportions globally, it is imperative to increase the number of providers equipped to screen, educate, and help patients achieve glycemic control. This study evaluated the long-term results of student pharmacists attending a first-year Diabetes Self-Care Education Program (DSEP) by measuring knowledge retention, confidence, and clinical applicability of skills learned over time. The DSEP, integrated into the early pharmacy curriculum, is a 9-h training program made up of interactive lectures, glucose monitoring assignments, and active-learning workshops. Following DSEP training, two cohorts of first-year student pharmacists were surveyed annually for 3 and 5 years to assess knowledge retention, confidence, and clinical use of the DSEP content in their practice sites. By the year 1 follow-up survey, the response rate from the pre-survey period for cohort 1 was 88% and 78% for cohort 2; over time, the response rate decreased. For the long-term follow-up surveys, cohort 1 (5 years) and cohort 2 (3 years) demonstrated overall significantly improved sustained knowledge of diabetes (48% higher average test score, p < 0.001), perceived confidence, and clinical ability (over 60% and 76% increases from baseline, p < 0.001). Within 12 months of completing the DSEP, about two-thirds of students applied their training to assist patients with diabetes and their caregivers. Long-term, participants in both cohorts reported educating and screening over 22,000 patients with diabetes and caregivers in multiple clinical settings over 3 years and 5 years, respectively, following DSEP training. The positive impact of improved knowledge, confidence, and clinical applicability of the DSEP training obtained by student pharmacists was sustained for 3 or more years, impacting thousands of patients with diabetes and caregivers. Considering the growing global diabetes epidemic, pharmacy schools around the world should consider implementing an early DSEP program.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Training the Next Generation of Pharmacist Educators (NextGenRxEd): Outcomes from a Longitudinal 4-Year Teaching and Research Program

  Pharmacy · 2025-04-22 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  To combine didactic education with clinical and research experiences that would empower student pharmacists to consider postgraduate training and a career in pharmacy education or academics, in 2009, the Next Generation of Pharmacist Educators (NextGenRxEd) program, a four-year longitudinal education program, was implemented at the University of California San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Directed by two pharmacist faculty, a clinician and researcher, student pharmacists were exposed to hands-on experience with clinical management, patient care, and research processes. A post-graduation survey was created and administered in Fall 2024 to evaluate outcomes for all student pharmacists who completed the program. Key performance indicators included the number of pharmacy students proceeding to postgraduate training, research practices, and pharmacist positions involving education and academics. During 2009-2024, 34 student pharmacists completed the NextGenRxEd program; 71% achieved postgraduate education (22 PGY1 residencies and two fellowships). Following quality improvement implementation, this percentage increased from 50% to 89%, for Classes 2009-2015 and 2016-2024, respectively. Overall, the PGY1 match rate was 92%, and 19 abstracts/posters and 10 manuscripts were published, respectively. The post-graduation survey response rate was 85%, with 93% of respondents reporting that they precepted PharmD students; 14% became faculty members, and 66% participated in research. The NextGenRxEd program provides a model whereby student pharmacists are equipped to obtain post-graduate education and pursue a career with a significant role in pharmacy education or academic pharmacy. This program has the potential to be implemented at other pharmacy schools/colleges to benefit faculty and student participants.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Promotion and Beyond: A Comprehensive Faculty Mentorship Program

  American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education · 2025-11-01

  articleOpen access
  PublisherDOI

• Predictive Modeling of Factors Influencing Adherence to SGLT-2 Inhibitors in Ambulatory Care: Insights from Prescription Claims Data Analysis

  Pharmacy · 2024-04-22 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access

  Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are novel oral anti-hyperglycemic drugs that demonstrate cardiovascular and metabolic benefits for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), heart failure (HF), and chronic kidney disease (CKD). There is limited knowledge of real-world data to predict adherence to SGLT-2i in an ambulatory setting. The study aims to predict SGLT-2i adherence in patients with T2D and/or HF and/or CKD by building a prediction model using electronic prescription claims data presented within EPIC datasets. This is a retrospective study of 174 adult patients prescribed SGLT-2i at UC San Diego Health ambulatory pharmacies between 1 January 2020 to 30 April 2021. Adherence was measured by the proportion of days covered (PDC). R packages were used to identify regression and non-linear regression predictive models to predict adherence. Age, gender, race/ethnicity, hemoglobin A1c, and insurance plan were included in the model. Diabetes control based on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was also evaluated using Welch t-test with a p-value of 0.05. The best predictive model for measuring adherence was the simple decision tree. It had the highest area under the curve (AUC) of 74% and accuracy of 82%. The model accounted for 21 variables with the main node predictors, including glycated hemoglobin, age, gender, and insurance plan payment amount. The adherence rate was inversely proportional to HbA1c and directly proportional to the plan payment amount. As for secondary outcomes, HbA1c values from baseline till 90 days post-treatment duration were consistently higher in the non-compliant group: 7.4% vs. 9.6%, p < 0.001 for the PDC ≥ 0.80 and PDC < 0.80, respectively. Baseline eGFR was 55.18 mL/min/1.73m2 vs. 54.23 mL/min/m2 at 90 days. The mean eGFR at the end of the study (minimum of 90 days of treatment) was statistically different between the groups: 53.1 vs. 59.6 mL/min/1.73 m2, p < 0.001 for the PDC ≥ 0.80 and PDC < 0.80, respectively. Adherence predictive models will help clinicians to tailor regimens based on non-adherence risk scores.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Comparison between in-person, telehealth, and combination visits among veterans treated in a pharmacist-led diabetes management clinic

  Journal of the American Pharmacists Association · 2024-05-10 · 4 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Prescription for Success: Cultivating Wellbeing in the Academic Pharmacy Community at UC San Diego SSPPS

  American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education · 2024-09-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access
  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Jan D. Hirsch

  University of California, Irvine

  52 shared

• Brookie M. Best

  University of Kansas Medical Center

  42 shared

• Mark Bounthavong

  University of Montana

  36 shared

• Renu Singh

  Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Science

  35 shared

• Rabia S. Atayee

  UC San Diego Health System

  26 shared

• D. Joseph

  University of California, San Diego

  21 shared

• Christina L. Mnatzaganian

  16 shared

• Kelly C. Lee

  University of California, San Diego

  16 shared

Awards & honors

• San Diego Society of Health-System Pharmacists Pharmacist of…
• Excellence in Teaching Faculty Award (2003, 2005, 2006)
• Valedictorian for UCSD
• National Leadership in Academic Medicine Award (2005)
• American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Foundation Lit…