This story is featured in the 2023 edition of the HPU Magazine.
Academic innovation and experiential learning are the foundation of the Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy. Housed in a world-class facility that was founded by accomplished faculty, HPU’s pharmacy school embodies the spirit of pioneering a new and impactful approach to education.
For students, that begins with hands-on learning early and often. Here’s a glimpse at a few of the many unique experiences HPU pharmacy students receive that help them learn, grow and lead faster.
5 Unique Experiences for HPU Pharmacy Students
1) State-of-the-Art Labs and Research Opportunities
Pharmacy faculty are recipients of grants and awards from prestigious organizations, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and more. Innovative labs in the school and the latest instrumentation empower faculty to include students in their research and gain high-level experience. These include a teaching lab with specialty space to enable student pharmacists to apply the knowledge obtained from coursework to provide patient care; eight rooms of standardized client space equipped to record and critique students' interaction with patients; and some of the most advanced biomedical research facilities available for medical biochemistry, medicinal chemistry and pharmacological research.
2) Experience Early and Often
One of HPU's most unique programs that places students in real-world scenarios is the Longitudinal Patience Experience. The program pairs students with members of the community for several years while pursuing their Pharm.D. at HPU. They discuss overall health and medication plans, but they also discuss life in general and become friends. They get to know each other over coffee and conversation, sharing life stories and family photos. Ultimately, they get to know each other as people. That experience reflects the role that a community pharmacist fulfills with their patients. Before graduating, an HPU pharmacy student already has experience in building and maintaining long-term relationships with patients in the community.
3) A Caring Campus with Robust Resources
When potential pharmacy students tour HPU's campus, they often can't believe their eyes. In addition to everything the school offers, it's situated on HPU's Innovation Corridor and surrounded by resources all students appreciate. There are kiosks along the Kester International Promenade that offer complimentary snacks and beverages as students walk to class. Main buildings feature a Campus Concierge desk, where smiling staff answer any and every question a student may have. There's Cottrell Hall, with robust career and professional development resources for all students, such as resume review and graduate school application assistance.
"The welcoming learning environment allowed me to make the most of my academic and professional experience at HPU," said Kristen Korankyi, who received her Doctor of Pharmacy from HPU in 2021. "Through my involvement in peer tutoring and a number of community service experiences, I realized that I had a passion for teaching and wanted to do this as a graduating health care professional. I frequently went to the Office of Career and Professional Development for assistance in CV and letter of intent preparation. The advisors were friendly and gave me their time to ensure that I had the best presentation of myself to potential employers."
4) Community Centered
When students join HPU's School of Pharmacy, one of their first activities is to commit a day of service to the surrounding community. Throughout their education, their coursework also includes regularly volunteering at locations in the city such as Food Pantry of the Triad and the High Point Farmers Market to provide important health screenings. Their frequent contributions and regular presence are easily noticed throughout the city of High Point.
"Being in medicine and just giving back to the community and helping them is what drew me to pharmacy," said Kristin Kajcienski, a pharmacy student who helps provide flu shots at clinics in the community. "We practice almost every week doing vial transfers and drawing up syringes."
5) Access to Innovators
Like all HPU students, pharmacy students benefit from access to a growing list of global leaders. Already, they've worked with Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak, HPU's Innovator in Residence, and Ellen Zane, CEO Emeritus of Tufts Medical Center and HPU's Health Care Executive in Residence. With 30+ CEOs, trailblazers and global change agents already attracted to HPU's campus, the ever-expanding list offers endless opportunities for mentorship and insight.