Alexis Vander Werff always knew she wanted to help people and make a difference in their lives. She became a pharmacy technician through a family friend and was fascinated by the work pharmacists did.
“I thought it was amazing how they knew so much about all the medications, and they knew exactly what to say when counseling patients. It inspired me to want to become a pharmacist,” she said.
Vander Werff is one of 116 University of Iowa (UI) Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students who donned their new lab coats for the first time at the recent UI College of Pharmacy Welcome to the Profession White Coat Ceremony. It was held at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City and sponsored by Walgreens.
The class spent the week before the event completing the course Engagement: Professional Skills and Values. It’s a chance to get to know each other, develop as professionals prior to classes starting, meet faculty, and become familiar with the College.
Jill Kolesar, Jean M. Schmidt chair in Drug Discovery, dean, and professor, presided over the ceremony – her first since taking the helm in July.
“We are here today to celebrate the significance of this coating and the importance of each of you joining the health care profession to improve humankind in your own ways,” said Kolesar.
Adjunct faculty member Wesley Pilkington, ’11 PharmD and owner of Evans Crossing Pharmacy in Evansdale, Iowa, represented the Iowa Pharmacy Association as its president-elect. He welcomed students to a noble profession.
Randy McDonough, ’87 BSPh, ’97 MS, ’00 PharmD, chief executive officer and co-owner of Towncrest Iowa City and several other pharmacies and businesses, delivered the keynote address.
“You are entering the profession at a very exciting time—there are more opportunities today than I have ever witnessed in my forty-year career,” he said.
McDonough shared seven tips to the class for their pharmacy experience:
- Maximize your education and knowledge.
- Engage with the profession.
- Become and advocate for your profession.
- Explore alternative paths in your journey.
- Don’t let fear stop you.
- To get the most out of your profession, you need to give back to your profession.
- Have fun and enjoy the journey.
Welcoming Environment
Clinical Professor Michelle Fravel and Clinical Associate Professor Laura Knockel alternated coating the Class of 2028. Others on the stage included fourth-year pharmacy student Ruth Black, who led the "Oath of a Pharmacist" recitation, and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Mary E. Ray.
“It is an honor and privilege to wear this white coat, which signifies caring, trustworthiness, and compassion,” said Ray. “This white coat also connects us to everyone else who shares this profession and those who care for patients daily.”
“It is an honor and privilege to wear this white coat, which signifies caring, trustworthiness, and compassion."
-Mary Ray, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
These faculty members are three of many embracing personalities that impressed Vander Werff as she considered pharmacy school.
“(Everyone is) so welcoming and willing to put in the time and effort to help you be your best,” she said about choosing the UI College of Pharmacy.
Vander Werff applied to the College through its Assured Admissions Program, which guarantees a seat in the program pending successful completion of all prerequisites, at the same time she submitted to the UI for undergraduate.
“I am excited to explore the different areas of pharmacy and find the one that best suits me. I want to help people understand the best ways to take care of themselves so they can live happy and healthy lives,” she said.
Classmate Marcus Rodriguez co-founded a chapter of a Healthcare Exploration club in high school and a pharmacy speaker made him realize the many options in field.
“I was impressed with the welcoming environment and two-plus-four-year (two undergraduate years, four years of pharmacy school) opportunity to complete my PharmD,” said Rodriguez. “My professors have been friendly and I’m looking forward to all the classes I get to take from here on out.”
