First-year University of Iowa (UI) Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) student Austin Reutzel has come full circle.  

Reutzel began his undergraduate studies at Drake University on a soccer scholarship. Following in the footsteps of his mother, Becky Land Reutzel ('84 BSPh), then owner and operator of Reutzel Pharmacy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he declared a pre-pharmacy major. After developing an interest in research, Reutzel graduated with a degree in biochemistry, molecular, and cellular biology and was offered a position at the UI Institute for Vision Research’s Molecular Ophthalmology Laboratory, where he conducted bench work, specializing in sequence reading.

After a few years, his one-time spark for working with patients began to burn and he returned to the pharmacy school path with intention, nearly eight years after finishing his bachelor’s. 

“Austin has truly found his calling in the pharmacy program.” 
         -Clinical Associate Professor Jeff Reist

Learning Curve 
“The hardest part was applying – just doing it,” said Reutzel, a native of Swisher, Iowa. 

Coming in as an older student wasn’t easy technologically either. “The first week I took all my notes on the old pad and paper. I was looking around and everyone had iPads and electronic notebooks,” said Reutzel. “I had to ask what software they were using, then went and bought all that stuff. They all had Apple pens and were drawing around on the iPad.” 

Adapting to the pace was another challenge. “I had my little routine in the lab and maybe got two or three emails daily,” he said. “Now, I get like 50 a day! You have to really be on top of things and ready for any type of meeting for a student organization or the like to pop up.”

“But,” he added. “The classes have been great!”

Clinical Associate Professor Jeff Reist said Reutzel is a positive presence in class. 

“Austin has truly found his calling in the pharmacy program,” said Reist. “His journey, though not straightforward, has equipped him with valuable life experiences and a clear sense of purpose.”

Essential Wisdom
Reutzel’s experience makes him a strong leader. He’s on the PharmD Admissions Committee and involved in the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists. Outside of school, Reutzel is a volunteer soccer coach for Iowa City West High School and continues to compete in soccer plus tennis with wife-of-one-year Abby – a UI medical resident.

First-year PharmD student Munzir Salih, found a friend and encourager in Reutzel, who is near his age. 

“We get along well. His maturity and grounded mentality were helpful as I found myself burnt out halfway through the semester. Seeing him give it his all was inspiring,” said Salih. “His work in the biology lab situates him to offer input on different subjects. And he’s helped me consider my career paths differently.”

As Reutzel digs in for his second semester, he has goals in mind yet is keeping his options open. 

“I want to get involved in research again and have a patient-research mix,” he said. “And I hope to get a residency, although I just learned about fellowships and that sounds interesting too. What happens after pharmacy school will depend on what I learn here.”

Whatever direction he goes, he already possesses many tools to do well. 

“Austin has maturity and intellectual curiosity. Crucial traits for a successful pharmacist,” said Reist.