Building a Connection with the Communities we Call Home

By: Markie Heideman, Content Marketing Manager

The U-M College of Pharmacy’s commitment to pharmacy excellence spans much further than the classroom – providing students with opportunities to demonstrate their pharmacy expertise and serve the communities we live in.

In late August, first, second and third-year PharmD students took to community and hospital pharmacy locations all over southeast Michigan for the annual Pharmacy Community Connect Day. At 27 community pharmacies and three hospital pharmacies, students provided community members with free resources and education on medication safety, proper medication disposal, and how to donate unused cancer medications for redistribution. 

Courtesy of Michigan OPEN, students were able to provide locking pill bottles, mail-back medication envelopes and Deterra deactivation pouches.

“Each year, this is an important event to help connect our students with the community members they will serve post-graduation,” explained Dr. Caitlin Ferguson, Assistant Director of Community Engagement. “It’s just as important for our community to have access to these resources as it is for our students to have this interaction and presence beyond the classroom.” 

New this year, at three locations, the College partnered with YesRx to collect unused cancer medications for redistribution to those in need. 

“Adding this additional service not only allowed us to collect these much-needed medications but also provided awareness to the community that services like YesRx exist and that unused cancer medication doesn’t have to go to waste. In fact, it can help people,” remarked Ferguson.

Angie Vita, a second-year PharmD student, appreciates the chance to get involved in the community through the College’s curriculum.

“It is such a privilege to be entrusted with the care of people, but oftentimes we are only given a few minutes to learn about them,” said Vita. “I love these events because they give me the time to slow down and talk to members of the community. I’m able to connect 

with them more and understand their needs.”

Pharmacy Community Connect Day takes place each August during orientation week but is just one element of the robust PharmD educational experiences offered to students and a core element of the growing Community Engagement efforts at the College. 

“From providing flu and COVID vaccinations to educating the community on relevant  healthcare topics to hosting medication and sharps disposal events, our students are active in the community not only because it’s part of our curriculum, but because our students have a passion to help others and see value in theses real world experiences,” said Ferguson.