Zach Jenkins

Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice & Clinical Specialist, Infectious Diseases Cedarville University

  • Cedarville OH

Dr. Zach Jenkins is an infectious disease expert who loves educating others about superbugs, antibiotic therapy, and emergency preparedness.

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Spotlight

1 min

What's Happening with the Measles Outbreak?

Fear rises in the hearts of Americans as news of the measles outbreak has surfaced across media platforms. The entrance of the measles vaccine in 1963, enabled the US to eradicate measles by 2000. Due to international contact with those who have not eliminated measles caused it to resurface in 2018. The following year saw 764 cases making it the highest number of cases in 25 years.  This year the measles outbreak has reached the news again with reports of 14 outbreaks and 977 of the 1,088 cases caused by the outbreaks. The year prior to 2025 saw 16 outbreak reports, but fewer cases.   So far 2025 has experienced three deaths (two children and one adult) due to measles. Children and teens under 20 make up 67% of the cases and 96% of infections are found in those who have not been vaccinated, or their vaccination status is unknown.   Dr. Zach Jenkins, professor of pharmacy practice and director of advanced pharmacy practice experiences of at Cedarville University. To schedule an interview, email Mark D. Weinstein, executive director of public relations at Cedarville University at mweinstein@cedarville.edu or click on his icon. 

Zach Jenkins

2 min

Covering Remdesivir – Contact an expert from Cedarville first

There has been a lot of talk about treatment, vaccinations and drugs that are being used during the CVOID-19 pandemic. The latest is Remdesivir – and it is getting a lot of attention. The US's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorised emergency use of the Ebola drug remdesivir for treating the coronavirus. The authorisation means the anti-viral drug can now be used on people who are hospitalised with severe Covid-19. A recent clinical trial showed the drug helped shorten the recovery time for people who were seriously ill. However, it did not significantly improve survival rates. Experts have warned the drug which was originally developed to treat Ebola, and is produced by Gilead pharmaceutical company in California should not be seen as a "magic bullet" for coronavirus. What do we know about remdesivir? The drug did not cure Ebola, and Gilead says on its website: "Remdesivir is an experimental medicine that does not have established safety or efficacy for the treatment of any condition." Gilead also warns of possible serious side-effects. However, President Trump has been a vocal supporter of remdesivir as a potential treatment for the coronavirus. In its clinical trial, whose full results are yet to be released, the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) found that remdesivir cut the duration of symptoms from 15 days down to 11. The trials involved 1,063 people at hospitals around the world including the US, France, Italy, the UK, China and South Korea. Some patients were given the drug and others were given a placebo (dummy) treatment. Dr Anthony Fauci who runs NIAID, said that remdesivir had "a clear-cut, significant, positive effect in diminishing the time to recovery". However, although remdesivir may aid recovery and possibly stop people having to be treated in intensive care the trials did not give any clear indication whether it can prevent deaths from coronavirus.  May 02 BBC There are still a lot of questions to be asked: When could it be ready for mass distribution? How is it administered? Who can get it? And how much will it cost? If you are a journalist covering this emerging issue – then let our experts help. Dr. Zach Jenkins is an infectious disease expert at Cedarville University. He is available to speak with media about this topic – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

Zach Jenkins

2 min

Bare shelves and closed facilities – is America facing a food shortage?

Earlier this week, South Dakota based, Smithfield Foods was ordered to closed its Sioux Falls pork production facility because workers at the plant tested positive for COVID-19. It may be one facility; however, it is responsible for five percent of all the packaged pork in America. While the plant is making the decision to close indefinitely, President and CEO Kenneth Sullivan said in the news release that the closure "is pushing our country perilously close to the edge in terms of our meat supply." The Sioux Falls, South Dakota, plant accounts for 4% to 5% of the nation's pork production, the company says. "We have continued to run our facilities for one reason: to sustain our nation’s food supply during this pandemic," Sullivan said. "We believe it is our obligation to help feed the country, now more than ever. We have a stark choice as a nation: We are either going to produce food or not, even in the face of COVID-19." The release said the plant will be shut down until "further direction is received from local, state and federal officials." Employees will be compensated for the next two weeks, but there was no mention of payment if the plant is closed for longer. April 13 – USA Today And it is not just Smithfield facing trouble. Tyson Foods and National Beef Packing are also shutting doors at facilities in Iowa. So, what will this mean for American supermarkets, consumers and a nation already worried about supply? Is there any way to keep production sustainable amidst a COVID-190 outbreak? If you are a journalist covering this emerging issue – then let our experts help. Dr. Zach Jenkins is an infectious disease expert at Cedarville University. He is available to speak with media about this topic – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

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Biography

Dr. Jenkins obtained his doctorate of Pharmacy from Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) in 2012. Following graduation, Jenkins completed a postgraduate pharmacy practice residency with Summa Health System, where he focused his training in adult
internal medicine and infectious disease. Dr. Jenkins maintains a clinical practice in infectious disease and serves as the co-director of antimicrobial stewardship at Atrium Medical Center, where he helps to lead antimicrobial stewardship initiatives for the Premier Health Partners system.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Jenkins has been heavily involved with treating patients and developing therapeutic protocols for hospitals in his network, and he has also aided with strategic response efforts for Cedarville University and several surrounding communities.

Dr. Jenkins is an active member of the pharmacy profession, and he currently serves within the leadership of several professional organizations. His research interests include subjects related to infectious disease, antimicrobial stewardship, interprofessional education, and student professional development. He has provided dozens of professional presentations at the regional and national levels, fielded over 200 interviews with local, national, and international media outlets.

Areas of Expertise

Vaccines
Superbugs
Viruses
COVID-19
Infectious Diseases
Coronavirus
Antibiotics
Bacteria
Antibiotic Resistance

Accomplishments

Board Certification

Pharmacotherapy

Antimicrobial Stewardship Certification

Society of Infectious Disease Pharmacists (SIDP)

Teaching Certificate

Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)

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Education

Northeast Ohio Medical University

Pharm.D.

Pharmacy

2012

University of Akron

B.S.

Biology

2008

Affiliations

  • Phi Lambda Sigma, National Pharmacy Leadership Society
  • American College of Clinical Pharmacy
  • American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
  • Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists
  • Infectious Diseases Society of America

Media Appearances

Coronavirus deaths surpass 5,000 in Ohio Monday

ABC6 On Your Side  online

2020-10-12

Cedarville University's Dr. Zach Jenkins says both COVID-19 and the flu impact the respiratory system.

"While it is uncommon, it is possible to have coinfection with COVID, as well as another respiratory virus or even a bacteria," said Dr. Jenkins, an associate professor in Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Specialist in Infectious Diseases.

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Doctors explain 'antibody cocktail' given to Trump; Ohio lawmakers tested for COVID-19

ABC6 On Your Side  online

2020-10-02

"The antibody is named Regeneron. It is actually a combination of two artificial antibodies and the goal with those is actually is to be present and help people who maybe don't mount an immune response right away," said Dr. Zach Jenkins, a Cedarville University Associate Professor in Pharmacy Practice and a Clinical Specialist in Infectious Diseases.

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Doctors weigh in on pause of COVID-19 vaccine trial, future of vaccine

ABC6 On Your Side  online

2020-09-09

"It does happen and that is why there is a process in place to independently review the data as it comes in to deal with these cases," Jenkins said.

The research into a vaccine is playing out day-by-day.

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Research Grants

Sub-award from Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention Grant

Association for Prevention Teaching and Research (APTR) Acceleration Grant

2020

Midwest integration of the National HIV curriculum

MINHC

2019

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