 Kathryn McDonald, right, gathers with preceptor Kristen McKibban, director of Pharmacy at Medicap, Megan Friedrich, Medicap-GRX pharmacist and Drake professor and other Drake interns. |
summer at various retail and chain pharmacies — from the Midwest to
the East Coast — as part of two new internship programs at Drake.
program supported by McKesson Corp. and Pharmacists Mutual Insurance
Co. They are:
- Robin Frohardt, P2, of Sac City, Iowa — NuCara in Nevada, Iowa
- Kathryn McDonald, P2, of Littleton, Colo. — Medicap GRX in West Des Moines, Iowa
- Travis Gau, P1, of Robbinsdale, Minn. — Medicap in Urbandale, Iowa
rotation students, residents and interns,” Gau said. “The philosophy
here is to provide the best opportunities and environment possible for
their patients and their staff.”
 Victoria Erxleben and the SuperValu Pharmacy team gather for a photo. |
at internships with chain pharmacies as part of a program funded by a
grant from the NACDS. They are:
- Tim Humlicek, P2, of Colombia, Mo. — Kerr Drug in North Carolina
- Jennifer Hidding, P2, of Victoria, Minn. — Snyders in Minneapolis
- Victoria Erxleben, P2, of Arlington Heights, Ill. — SuperValu in Chicago
- Dorothy Chrzaszcz, P2, of Mount Prospect, Ill. — Walgreens in Des Moines
responsible for a wide array of duties. Some include: giving health
screenings, handling prescriptions, counseling clients, developing
programs, engaging in research, working with legislators and lobbyists
and contributing to newsletters.
“My internship is giving me great experiences in the pharmacy with
interacting with patients and helping them determine their self-care
and counseling them on prescriptions,” Erxleben said. “I am learning a
lot about being the patient-focused pharmacist I hope to be.”
coupled with learning how the pharmacy business works is invaluable.
valuable business skills while still incorporating the patient care
services that I am passionate about,” McDonald stated.
do not work in the corporate setting, I still need to understand how to
run the business in order to be a well-rounded, valuable pharmacist to
my future employer,” Hidding added.
characteristics and skills I would like to develop as an effective
leader,” she said.
 Front Row: Tori Erxleben, Robin Frohardt and P3 pharmacy students Ben Urick, Emily Lentz; Second Row: Andrew Roberts,P3, Jennifer Lose, P4, and IPA Executive Director Tom Temple. |
Students participate in professional development
Patient care, business skills, entrepreneurship and leadership are just some of the skills students are gaining during their internships. The student interns are also encouraged to attend professional and community activities and events with their mentors.
News Photo
Front Row: Tori Erxleben, Robin Frohardt and P3 pharmacy students Ben Urick, Emily Lentz; Second Row: Andrew Roberts,P3, Jennifer Lose, P4, and IPA Executive Director Tom Temple.
Five of the seven students attended the annual Iowa Pharmacy Association meeting held June 19-21 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
“It was exciting to watch and hear about how pharmacy is taking charge of making a difference in the political health care reform arena,” Hidding said.
“I’m excited and empowered that I’m a part of a fantastic profession that above everything else desires what is best for our patients. This weekend and internship are causing me to reaffirm my commitment to becoming the best pharmacist I can be as well as working with the rest of my colleagues to help move us forward by active participation.”
Humlicek, who traveled the farthest for his internship, was surprised that he is doing more challenging work than simply filling prescriptions.
“I’ve spent all my time working on Medication Therapy Management (MTM) for Kerr Drug’s patients,” said Humlicek, whose internship is located in a fast-growing area by Greensboro and Winston-Salem in one of the nation’s fastest growing states.
“My experience with Kerr Drug has been absolutely positive.”
For more information about the internship programs, contact Renae Chesnut at renae.chesnut@drake.edu or 515-271-3018.