Minority students explore pharmacy careers - - Modern Medicine

Minority students explore pharmacy careers
Publish date: Nov 3, 2009
By:  Drug Topics staff
Source: Drug Topics

Key iconKey Points

  • A hospital, a pharmacy college, and a commercial organization in St. Louis are collaborating to introduce minority teens to pharmacy careers.
  • The BESt Summer Institute gives 35 high school students 4-6 week programs in pharmacy, algebra, trigonometry, and the Princeton Review (a preparatory program for college entrance exams).
  • Students earn stipends for completing the program.



Thirty-five students from high schools throughout the St. Louis area recently participated in a summer pharmacy program known as "BESt," created by Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Express Scripts Inc., and The St. Louis College of Pharmacy.

The government is predicting a continued shortage of pharmacists, despite the availability of six-figure salaries. The profession also lacks diversity. To tackle both these issues, the BESt Summer Pharmacy Institute was created to introduce minority students to the profession at an early age.



"We all recognize that we see a lack of pharmacists, period," said Steven Player, manager of the Barnes-Jewish pharmacy department. "That's compounded by the fact that pharmacists tend to work where they train. So our intention was to create a local pipeline."

Junior and senior high school students enroll in programs of four or six weeks to study pharmacy, algebra, trigonometry, and the Princeton Review, which prepares them for taking college entrance exams. They earn stipends if they complete the program. "You need to expose them early to the opportunities that pharmacy school offers," said Freddie Wills, director of diversity at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy.

post a comment
Please complete the form below to post your comment.
Bold = Required
Email Address Your email address will NOT be published.
Display Name appears with your comment
City
State
Country
Remember me: YesNo
Comment read our privacy policy
Note: does not support HTML
All comments submitted are subject to review, and may be delayed before posting. We reserve the right not to post comments.
eSamples check closet
eSamples check closet
Practice ToolsPractice Tools
Coding Counselor
Coding Counselor

Simple and accurate ICD-9 code search. Start Here

Formulary Counselor
Formulary Counselor

Find health plan drug coverage in your area. Start Here

Patient Education
Patient Education

Print customized patient education handouts. Start Here

Surgical Video Center
Surgical Video Center

On-demand surgery demos and presentations. Start Here

Featured Jobs

More Jobs

Clinical Perspectives
AcneAdolescent MedicineAllergy & ImmunologyAlzheimer's DiseaseAsthmaBPHBreast CancerCardiologyCataractsChild Behavior & DevelopmentClinical PharmacologyContraceptionCorneal DiseaseCosmetic DermatologyCosmetic SurgeryDepressionDermatologyDiabetesDry EyeEczema/Atopic DermatitisEndocrinologyEpilepsyErectile DysfunctionGastroenterologyGastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) & Acid Peptic DiseaseGeriatricsGlaucomaGynecologic OncologyHIV/AIDSHormone TherapyHyperlipidemiaHypertensionImmunization/VaccinesInfectious DiseaseInternal MedicineIrritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)Kidney & Bladder CancerLaser & Light Technology in DermatologyMaternal & Fetal MedicineMenopauseMigraineMultiple SclerosisNeurologyNutritionOb/Gyn SurgeryObesityOB/GYN & Women's HealthOncologyOphthalmologyOptometryOrthopedicsOsteoporosisParkinson's DiseasePathologyPediatricsPrimary Care MedicineProstate CancerPsoriasisPsychiatry & Behavioral HealthRadiologyRefractive SurgeryReproductive Endocrinology/InfertilityRetinal DiseaseRheumatoid ArthritisSkin CancerSleep DisordersSmoking-Related IllnessStrokeSurgeryUrinary Incontinence/Overactive BladderUrologic SurgeryUrology
Business Perspectives
Coding CounselorLiability & Risk ManagementHealth Care Information TechnologyPractice ManagementBusiness OperationsHuman ResourcesHealth Law & PolicyManaged CarePersonal FinanceProducts
Popular Topics
CME/CECoding CounseloreNewslettersPatient Education CenterBlogsBlogsFormulary CounselorModernMedicine RadioSyndicationSurgical Video Center


Source: Drug Topics, 11/3/2009
Click here