Faculty:Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology

For additional information on the MSCP program, please reach out at ryan.ernst@drake.edu

Dr. Ernst is a Neuropsychologist and Prescribing Psychologist at Clarinda Regional Health Center in southwest Iowa where he continues his practice as well as serving as the inaugural Training Director for the MS in Clinical Psychopharmacology at Drake University.   Dr. Ernst completed his MSCP from Alliant International University and is the first psychologist in the state of Iowa to be certified to prescribe psychiatric medication. Dr. Ernst has been named a Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology and became President-elect for the organization in 2023

Dr. Matthew Cooper is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with additional training to provide integrated psychological services and medication management for the treatment of mental health disorders. Dr. Cooper graduated from Grand View University in Des Moines, IA and then attended The School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute where he earned a Masters and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. In 2021, Dr. Cooper earned a Masters in Clinical Psychopharmacology from New Mexico State University, which allowed him to become the third conditional prescribing psychologist in Iowa. In graduate school, Dr. Cooper completed a child and adolescent track to expand his clinical knowledge. He has worked in a variety of settings including inpatient psychiatric hospitals, county jails, juvenile court, adult probation and parole, and private practice. Dr. Cooper historically taught undergraduate psychology classes at Grand View University. Currently Dr. Cooper owns a private practice where he provides integrative psychological services including psychotherapy and medication management. Additionally, he is a member of and works with the Iowa Psychological Association as Training Director for internships/postdoctoral residencies, provides forensic evaluations for Juvenile Court Services, medication management services for Central Iowa Trauma Recovery Center, and is a consultant/provider for the Iowa Wild (AHL Hockey).

Dr. Dy-Boarman is an associate professor of Pharmacy Practice. She is a clinical faculty member who completed her PharmD from Butler University and a two-year residency with Indiana University Health-Butler University. She has been with Drake University since 2013 and is active in the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP), and the Iowa Pharmacy Association (IPA). She received the AACP Experiential Education Section Award for Excellence in Experiential Education (2021) and the AACP Council of Faculties Emerging Teaching Scholar Award (2019).

Dr. Grady is an associate professor of pharmacy practice. She is a clinical faculty member who has completed residency training and maintains a practice in psychiatry. She has been with Drake University since 2008. She has won several teacher of the year awards at previous institutions and is active in several pharmacy organizations, including the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists, and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. She received the Phi Delta Chi Outstanding Advisor Award in 2020. She received her PharmD from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Dr. Hansen is a professor of pharmacy practice and a clinical pharmacist at Lutheran Behavioral Associates. She has been with Drake University since 2003 and received her PharmD from Drake University in 2002. Her area of expertise is in mental health. Dr. Hansen is a champion for addressing diversity issues. She is a member of Drake University’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion team, teaches an LGBTQ+ Health course, and speaks about DEI in higher education at conferences and other events. Dr. Hansen received the Iowa Pharmacy Association (IPA) Innovative Pharmacy Practice Award (2008), Madelyn Levitt Community Service Award (2011), Iowa Pharmacy Association Young Pharmacist of the Year (2012), and the C. Boyd Granberg Professional Leadership Award (2017).

Dr. Huey is a Professor of Physiology who has focused on skeletal muscle physiology. She has been with Drake University since 2009 after having faculty positions at the University of Illinois and Arizona State University. Dr. Huey holds a BS in exercise physiology from Seattle Pacific University, an MS in exercise physiology from the University of Arizona, and a PhD in biomedical sciences from UC San Diego. At Drake, she has been awarded the Mentor of the Year (2020), and received the Troyer Research Fellowship (2017-18), and was inducted as a Fellow in the American Physiological Society and the American College of Sports Medicine.

Dr. Meyer is a professor of pharmacy practice. She completed her PharmD at Drake University and a specialty Geriatrics residency at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System in Little Rock, AR. She maintains a consultant pharmacist practice at Right Dose Pharmacy and A Guardian Long-Term Care Pharmacy. She has been with Drake University since 2001.

Dr. Payne earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, with a specialization in Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology, in 1997 from the University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Payne completed the requirements to become Board Certified in Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology in 2009. She completed a Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology from New Mexico State University in 2021.

Dr. Payne completed extensive clinical training in diagnosis of mental health disorders, psychological evaluation, and psychotherapy through her doctoral program, continuing education, and certifications since her initial training. Dr. Payne was trained first as a generalist, treating all ages, and then completed additional education and clinical experiences to specialize in working with a pediatric population (ages 5-25). Dr. Payne has worked as an outpatient psychologist providing evaluation and psychotherapy services to youth and families in Iowa since 1997.

Benn Rayment, ARNP, PMHNP is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner. Benn began his studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, with a primary focus on integrative behavior neuroscience. Benn went on to receive his Bachelor of Science in nursing from Nebraska Methodist College. Benn worked as an inpatient psychiatric registered nurse at Lasting Hope Recover Center and later an Assertive Community Treatment team at Community Alliance in Omaha treating SPMI patients.

Benn attended the University of Nebraska Medical Center where he received his Master of Science in Nursing through the psychiatric-mental health NP tract and obtained licensure as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, where he then became ANCC certified to practice as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Since 2019, he has been practicing at Clarinda Regional Health Center as a psychiatric nurse practitioner where he diagnoses and treats psychiatric disorders though psychopharmacological interventions and psychotherapy.

Dr. Bryon Schaeffer is the Chief Medical Officer at Clarinda Regional Health Center in southwest Iowa. He is a board-certified family practice physician by training. In addition to his administrative duties, he continues to provide care to patients.

Dr. Schaeffer earned his undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Iowa before completing his family practice residency at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines. He brings broad range of experience to this position having served in multi-disciplinary health care systems in Des Moines and Boston, critical access hospitals, and numerous emergency departments. He has been the medical director for cardiac and pulmonary rehab programs, nursing homes, and rural healthcare clinics. He has also served as a preceptor for many medical and nurse practitioner students.

After completing the Iowa Hospital Association Physician Leadership program in 2019, Dr. Schaeffer was asked to serve as a faculty advisor to future cohorts which he continues today.

Dr. Torry is a Professor of Pharmacology and the Windsor Professor of Science who has focused on cardiovascular pharmacology. He received his BS in Biology/Zoology from Western Illinois University and his MS and Ph.D. in Physiology from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has been with Drake University since 1998 and received the Madelyn M. Levitt Teacher of the Year Award (2021) and the College Teacher of the Year five (5) times. He is a Fellow of the American Heart Association and the Cardiovascular Section of the American Physiological Society.

Dr. Wrenn is a professor of pharmacology who has focused on neuropharmacology and neuroscience. He has been with Drake University since 2004 and received his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Vanderbilt University. He has been awarded the Hartig Distinguished Professor (2011), Mentor of the Year (2013), and the Troyer Research Fellowship (2015).

Dr. Koenigsfeld is a Professor of Pharmacy Practice.  She completed her PharmD, followed by a PGY1 residency with emphasis in Community Care, from the University of Iowa.  She joined the faculty at Drake University in 1999. Her clinical practice since 20005 is at Unity Point Internal Medicine at Lakeview in West Des Moines, IA.   She is an active member of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) and the Iowa Pharmacy Association (IPA).  She has received numerous awards and recognitions, including Preceptor of the Year, Granberg Leadership Award, Distinguished Young Pharmacist of the Year, and Fellow of the American Pharmacists Association.