CHSU College of Pharmacy Learning Experience

On Friday, November 6, 2015, PharmD students and faculty at CHSU College of Pharmacy hosted an on-campus learning experience for Medical Career Pathway students from Clovis East and Clovis High schools. The day-long event was designed to provide greater exposure to the role of pharmacists on the health care team and engage the high school students in hands-on activities related to health care, pharmacy and research.
The approximately sixty juniors and seniors that participated share a joint medical careers class held weekly at the Clovis East High school campus and facilitated by Dr. Kelly Eichmann. The high school students – who arrived to campus wearing their scrubs – were focused, enthusiastic and excited to participate in presentations, hands-on activities and a team-based learning exercise.
The students were welcomed and given an enlightening presentation about the role and importance of health providers in our region by Wendy Duncan, PhD, SVP for Academic Affairs, Provost, and Interim Dean of Pharmacy at CHSU. Then Asim Abu-Baker, PharmD, Chair for the Clinical and Administrative Sciences department and Associate Professor of Clinical Sciences at CHSU College of Pharmacy, spoke about the responsibilities and career benefits of pharmacists along with the unique training pharmacy students receive at CHSU.
 
The students were then divided into three groups to rotate through one-hour activities in physical assessment, compounding and research. First and second year pharmacy students assisted the faculty in facilitating each activity.
In the physical assessment activity, the high school students learned about heart rate, blood pressure and administering immunizations with brief information sessions followed by guided activities. During the hands-on activities, they learned to use automatic and manual sphygmomanometers, stethoscopes, and practiced giving each other immunizations (with empty syringes without needles, of course).
 
During the compounding lab activity, the students learned how pharmacists can create a liquid suspension medication by creating an emulsion with oil and water. They even got to add coloring and flavoring of their choice to enhance their simulated patient’s experience with taking the medication.
In the research lab activity, the students assisted the faculty and pharmacy students during various scientific research demonstrations and learned how purpose of the equipment in the lab. Including, measuring how long certain over-the-counter medications take to dissolve.
 
CHSU College of Pharmacy faculty directed the high school students throughout their learning experience, while CHSU pharmacy students assisted and mentored the students and shared their firsthand experiences in college and the path that lead them to pharmacy school.
The high school students also participated in a nutrition and wellness session to understand the importance of healthy eating, staying active and preventative healthcare like vaccinations and well-checks. To reinforce and help them retain the information learned throughout the day, the high school students were then engaged in a team-based learning “family feud style” exercise, which also served to introduce CHSU’s learning style to the students. The day-long experience concluded with a Q & A session, where the high school students asked the pharmacy students and faculty specific questions about preparing for college and pharmacy school, why they chose pharmacy and CHSU, about the pharmacy career, etc.
 
While the primary goal of the learning experience was to introduce the 11th and 12th graders to the role of health care providers and pharmacists, the most enriching part of the activity, was that the students learned valuable information regarding the importance of seeking health care – especially preventive health care practices – and that with some hard work, becoming a health professional is an attainable goal. The students also learned about some of the coursework, pathways, costs and helpful resources available to them as they work towards their college goals.
The pharmacy students benefitted with a valuable leadership and educational experience that will help them now perform better in their program and later when they are applying for internships, residencies and jobs.
Visit our the California Health Sciences University facebook page to see the full photo album from the learning experience: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.547464872078914.1073741850.122139694611436&type=3