Home College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Pharmacy student accepted to nation’s top Public Health master’s program

Pharmacy student accepted to nation’s top Public Health master’s program

Kathryn Marwitz, a fourth-year pharmacy student, was accepted to the nation's top Master of Public Health program.
Kathryn Marwitz, a fourth-year pharmacy student, was accepted to the nation’s top Master of Public Health program.

Kathryn Marwitz, a graduating PharmD candidate with a concentration in global and comparative public health, was recently accepted into Johns Hopkins University’s Master of Public Health program. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has been ranked No. 1 in the nation among schools of public health since 1994, according to U.S. News and World Report.

“When I found out I was accepted to Johns Hopkins, I was genuinely shocked,” said Marwitz. “I applied never thinking I would actually meet the requirements as a strong candidate, and that feeling made my acceptance email that much better. This acceptance reminds me that dedication and hard work have the opportunity to lead to incredible outcomes.”

Marwitz has shown a strong commitment to community service and public health during her academic career with the Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. While on pharmacy rotations, she worked in Hillside Clinic in Belize to help bridge the gap in the healthcare services offered there, and researched minority health issues at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. After her graduation from Johns Hopkins, she is interested in working for a government agency to help make healthcare more accessible to the public.

“Drake’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences helped me prepare for the [Master of Public Health] program by providing the opportunity and flexibility to tailor my pharmacy education in a manner that enhanced my interest in public health,” said Marwitz. “Without question, those courses and the completion of the global and comparative public health concentration prepared me for a future career in public health.”

Marwitz’s success reflects a long history of early job placements and graduate school acceptances for CPHS graduates. Since 1984, nearly 100 percent of students in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences have landed full-time jobs or enrolled in continuing education after earning their degrees.

“On commencement day, anywhere from 97 to 98 percent of our graduates already have employment confirmed or have been accepted to a residency program,” said Kate Evans, professional and career development services coordinator for the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. “Students obtain not just any job, but their dream jobs.”

“Others should choose Drake to study pharmacy or health sciences because Drake provides opportunities to specialize and diversify the education experience,” said Marwitz. “Between the numerous dual degrees and concentrations, Drake students have the opportunity to challenge themselves and pursue interests outside of their major.”