Creighton News
Phoenix welcomes third pharmacy class, targets healthcare inequity
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The pharmacy program at Creighton University’s Phoenix campus welcomed its third class this year, which continues the University’s commitment to satisfying a growing need for pharmacists in Arizona and beyond.
The arrival of the new students marked a highlight in a year that saw current students continue a tradition of service locally and abroad and saw all faculty members present continuing education sessions at the 2023 Arizona Pharmacy Association’s Annual Convention.
America’s evolving healthcare challenges demand a vigorous response, and the Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions provides that response by producing a well-prepared workforce to serve the state’s healthcare needs.
A health sciences education at Creighton University extends beyond classrooms and laboratories, embracing the world at large through the concept of being men and women for others, an approach that underlies all Jesuit education.
In this vein, Creighton’s faculty and pharmacy students in Phoenix eagerly anticipate continuing their service work at St. Vincent de Paul Clinic and First Place, where housing is provided to adults with autism. These commitments are much more than extracurricular activities. They are essential facets of a Creighton pharmacy education.
Through service, they bridge the gap between theory and practice.
— Yousef Toma, PharmD, BCPS, CSP, AAHIVP
“Through service, they bridge the gap between theory and practice,” says Yousef Toma, PharmD, BCPS, CSP, AAHIVP, assistant professor at the Creighton School of Pharmacy and Health Professions. “They apply their pharmaceutical knowledge to improve the lives of vulnerable populations. This hands-on experience enriches their education by demonstrating the real-world impact of their chosen field.”
That approach to service expresses itself internationally. This year, two pharmacy students and Jane Stein, PharmD, assistant professor of pharmacy practice, embarked on an international experience in the Dominican Republic.
There, together with Creighton’s service partner of 50 years, the Institute for Latin American Concern, the students witnessed healthcare disparities firsthand and actively contributed to addressing them.
“Such international experiences broaden their horizons and foster cultural competence, preparing them to be socially responsible global citizens,” says Toma.
Additionally, all three of the Phoenix faculty members presented continuing education sessions at the 2023 Arizona Pharmacy Association’s Annual Convention held June 22-25 in Tucson. Their participation underscores the program's dedication to fostering professional growth and staying at the forefront of pharmaceutical education and practice in the state.
Notably, Toma received the prestigious Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award from the Arizona Pharmacy Association, a well-deserved recognition of his exceptional contributions to the field.
