Doctor of Pharmacy student Sydney Ross listened intently to recent graduate Cambridge Hampsher, ’20 PharmD, while discussing his career as a U.S. Clinical Marketing Fellow at Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD).  Hampsher encouraged students to research industry careers and to potentially start an industry pharmacist’s organization at Iowa.  The organization could bring awareness of the multitude of resources and opportunities the pharmaceutical industry can offer PharmDs.

“When I began researching the student organization, Industry Pharmacists Organization (IPhO), there were 91 chapters around the country -- I quickly recognized the need for it at the University of Iowa,” said Ross.  “I assembled a team of colleagues that included Keaton Higgins, Ali Naraghi, and McCaffrey Townsend, all innovative, passionate leaders. With the help of these individuals and many faculty members, we presented and pitched the concept to the College of Pharmacy Student Leadership Council.” The student organization was officially approved earlier this spring.

The new student organization’s goal is to educate students, develop and support their passions, and provide resources to achieve career goals in industry. The number of jobs for pharmacists in industry is growing, so it is vital that students learn about these careers. Long term, they hope to work with University of Iowa Pharmaceuticals, the PhD program within the College, and pharmaceutical companies around the country to develop opportunities and experiences for students.