Pacific is connecting with health care academies across Northern California to help high school students experience the array of dynamic career possibilities within the realm of health care. “Speaking from personal experience, I understand the limited perception many people have when it comes to health care careers,” said Marisella Guerrero ’98, PharmD, assistant clinical professor of pharmacy practice. “Having worked in various areas of pharmacy myself and also witnessing colleagues branch out within our field, provides me with a unique perspective on how diverse a health care career can really be. Even if students are unsure whether a health care career is for them, there are so many opportunities within health care, they are bound to find something they enjoy and are passionate about.”
Benjamin Reece ’01, ’08, MS, CCC-SLP, director of clinical education and assistant clinical professor of speech-language pathology, is excited to introduce students to his field. “There is not a general understanding of what a speech-language pathologist does or the different settings in which we serve,” he said.
Echoing his sentiments, Preeti Deshpande Oza, PT, PhD, NCS, assistant professor of physical therapy, shared how students have responded after her presentation on physical therapy. “Some have remarked that they did not know physical therapists worked in the hospital or intensive care unit,” said Dr. Oza. A common misconception is physical therapists work almost exclusively with injured athletes. Through these tours, students become aware that therapists are movement specialists who work with patients in many different settings.
A highlight of the tours is the interactive virtual reality demonstrations. With the help of Innovation Spaces Coordinator Jeremy Hanlon, who supervises The Cube, and Health Sciences Librarian Kate Finnegan, students dissect virtual healthy and unhealthy organs or explore neurological and skeletal systems. Students also learn how audiology is at the intersection of science, technology and patient care from Gail Amornpongchai, AuD, clinical director of audiology for Stockton, and Jan de la Cruz ’18, AuD.
Finnegan believes the rich cultural diversity found in the Central Valley is a valuable resource for the future of health care. Exposing high school students to a wide range of careers within health care removes the mystery that may surround these professions. Reece shared, “Based on my experience working in the public-school system, I know many students do not see themselves as future college students or as future health care practitioners. It is important to show them how accessible Pacific is and that they can pursue higher education, specifically in health care related fields.”
These tours help students picture themselves as future athletic trainers, audiologists, pharmacists, physical therapists and speech-language pathologists. “Each visitor receives a personal experience on campus with students, faculty and staff,” said Stephanie Anderson-Barroso, recruiting specialist. “Guests share their positive impressions and memories of Pacific with their family, friends and communities, creating a priceless ripple effect.”
Phillip R. Oppenheimer was named Dean.
The School transitioned the master of science in physical therapy degree to a doctor of physical therapy degree. The first class graduated in the fall.
Dean Oppenheimer was named the California Pharmacists Association Pharmacist of the Year.
Dean Oppenheimer was named the American College of Apothecaries Dean of the Year.
Rajul Patel ’01, ’06, PharmD, PhD spearheaded the Medicare Part D Outreach Clinics to help beneficiaries evaluate their options and select a plan to save money on their medications. As of 2018, students have volunteered more than 20,000 hours and assisted more than 8,600 beneficiaries with their Medicare Part D plans, saving consumers more than $8 million on potential out-of-pocket prescription drug costs.
With generous support from ScriptPro, the ScriptPro SP2000 equipment was donated to the Barker Lab, enhancing technology and education for the doctor of pharmacy program.
Dean Oppenheimer was selected as the American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) Most Outstanding Dean of the Year for his contributions to the Pacific APhA-ASP Chapter and active promotion of student welfare through various community service, leadership and professional activities.
Dean Oppenheimer was named a recipient of the University of California, San Francisco Alumni Excellence Award.
Pacific’s doctor of pharmacy program received full eight-year accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.
Dean Oppenheimer was inducted into the California Pharmacists Association Hall of Fame. Thanks to the generosity of the Joseph and Vera Long Foundation and the Chan family, the School was able to renovate the second floor of the Chan Family Health Sciences Learning Center and Clinics (following the relocation of dental hygiene to the San Francisco campus) to include three high-tech large classrooms, a quiet study area, several conference rooms, a telehealth center, 19 faculty offices and a pharmacy care clinic space.
The School secured a significant gift from the Chan Family to support the renovation of the Rotunda building, including the construction of new exterior ADA-compliant and gender-inclusive restrooms.
Regent Clark and Pamela Gustafson provided significant funding to support student scholarship, community outreach programs and sustainability for the School and the University.
Stephanie Nguyen ’20 dreamed about coming to Pacific since the sixth grade. She was inspired by her cousin, Lien Tran ’01, PharmD. “I recently completed the undergraduate portion of the 3+3 Pre-Pharmacy program and I’m excited to begin pharmacy school in Fall 2017,” said Nguyen. “In my three years at Pacific, I’ve really grown as an individual and professional.”
