The University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy offers a unique opportunity for third-year Pharm.D. students to attend classes on a satellite campus in Greenville, South Carolina.
Because Greenville is home to me, I knew this was an opportunity I wanted to pursue. Once I received my acceptance letter into the College of Pharmacy, I submitted my application to fill one of the twenty available spots on the Greenville campus. While I enjoyed my first two years of pharmacy school in Columbia, I was highly anticipating my time in Greenville.
I am proud of all I have accomplished since starting my P3 year. I have taken on the Greenville Campus president role, maintained my leadership roles and organizational involvement, and have organized and participated in community service events in conjunction with the USC School of Medicine Greenville students. Our goal is to continue this integration and collaboration through social and community events in the future.
Meanwhile, my passion for the field of pharmacy, specifically ambulatory care, has grown tremendously while being a student on this interprofessional campus.
One of my personal favorite aspects of the Greenville campus is the close proximity to the Prisma Health Upstate hospital. I currently work at Upstate Medical Pharmacy within Prisma Health Upstate and can now walk in between work and school. Working alongside the largest health care organization also provides an abundance of opportunities to network and form close relationships with pharmacists and medical professionals.
Additionally, because of this connection to the health system, I will be part of the inaugural class of the Prisma Health Scholars longitudinal APPE program at Prisma Upstate during my P4 year. This program gave me priority on rotation preferences and will provide enhanced professional and research opportunities as compared to the traditional APPE pathway. I believe this campus is shaping and equipping me to be a successful future clinician and an asset to the health care team.
With a limited number of students attending the Greenville campus in previous years, I was weary going into my year upstate. However, I am glad I chose to venture down the road less traveled.
I have made lifelong memories and have learned to say “yes” more often, leading to a multitude of opportunities and leadership positions I would not have had otherwise. I feel grateful for the individualized mentoring provided by Dr. Jennifer Clements, the close-knit relationships I have formed with my current cohort, and, of course, the free parking in the garage below our building!
Taking chances and exploring the less-traveled route can lead to great and unexpected destinations, and I’m glad my final destination of pharmacy school has been in Greenville, South Carolina.
Topics: Student Experience, Pharm.D. Program, 2023-24 Creators@COP