Home Official News Releases Drake launches new pharmacy student professional travel program

Drake launches new pharmacy student professional travel program

Opportunities for professional development is now more accessible for students in Drake’s Doctor of Pharmacy program, thanks to a new travel fund established as part of the college’s White Coat sponsorship program.


Now in its third year, the White Coat sponsorship program pairs alumni and students in the first year of the professional pharmacy program. Alumni serve as mentors for the students, who also receive a white coat and nametag as part of the sponsorship program. 

Many White Coat supporters also asked to contribute an additional $50 or $100 to the Student Professional Travel Fund, which will help support students attending research seminars, professional meetings and other national scholarship events. The fund also meets the goal of the White Coat program, emphasizing the importance of professionalism and involvement in the pharmacy community. 

The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences hopes to build the Student Professional Travel Fund to $10,000 per year, which will enable many students to attend events that foster professional development. 

“Our goal for the program is for students to eventually present collaborative research and findings with other students and faculty members at national meetings,” said Dean Raylene Rospond. 

In addition to the new program, students will now have the opportunity to work with and learn from the following new faculty members who recently joined the college:
  • Michael Andreski, assistant professor of social and administrative pharmacy

  • Cheryl Clarke, assistant professor of pharmacy practice 

  • Kimberly Huey, associate professor of health sciences

  • Andrea Kjos, assistant professor of social and administrative pharmacy

  • Ginelle Schmidt, assistant professor of pharmacy practice