Pharmacists are crucial in healthcare, contributing to medication safety and improved health outcomes. They serve as a valuable clinical resource for prescribers and patients, and they must continue building trust within their local communities.
Student pharmacists enrolled in Chapman University’s School of Pharmacy (CUSP) are preparing for various career opportunities in a changing healthcare landscape, particularly in community pharmacy.
Community pharmacists have the potential to significantly improve population health outcomes due to their accessibility and ability to provide impactful interventions.
“Community pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professionals, as anyone can walk into a pharmacy and receive care from a medication expert,” explained Rennolds Ostrom, CUSP dean.
In recent years, the role of community pharmacists has expanded to include essential services such as point-of-care testing, immunizations, medication advisory services, and self-care recommendations for minor ailments.
Ralphs Grocery Co. operates 76 pharmacies throughout its Southern California stores. Housed under the larger national chain Kroger, Ralphs Pharmacy offers personalized services to patients. Amid career options in academia, industry, or hospital positions, Ralphs aims to reignite an interest and passion in community pharmacy.
To support this, Ralphs has pledged $50,000 to CUSP to endow a scholarship/fellowship for future community pharmacists, providing opportunities for students interested in working in community pharmacy.
“We hope that students will view community pharmacy not just as a job but as a crucial part of the healthcare community working together to help people live healthier lives,” explained Linh Lee, Pharm.D., director of pharmacy for Ralphs Pharmacy.
Ostrom is grateful to Ralphs for the scholarship/fellowship that will help students with a demonstrated interest in community pharmacy make CUSP’s top-notch education more affordable.
“This scholarship demonstrates the commitment of CUSP toward training the next generation of community pharmacists through Ralphs Pharmacy,” he shared. “It also demonstrates Ralphs commitment to developing the very finest pharmacists to serve its diverse communities.”
At Ralphs, the community pharmacy allows pharmacists to treat every patient with individualized care. Patients can receive convenient and accessible care, allowing their pharmacists to develop a personal and emotional connection with each of their patients.
“In addition to prescriptions, patients walk into our pharmacies and receive other clinical services, including disease state management,” Lee explained. “Because we are in a grocery store, our pharmacists talk to patients about utilizing nutrition and exercise to be healthier.”
Ralphs has been a partner of Chapman’s since the pharmacy school’s inception, first as a preceptor site for PharmD students, then serving on an advisory group and donating money towards scholarships.
If Ralphs Grocery is inspiring you with its commitment to the future of community pharmacists, find out how you can make a positive impact on Chapman students by donating today.
