The College of Pharmacy at the University of Utah is coming to BYU-Idaho to engage with students interested in health care to spread awareness about pharmaceutical professions.
There will be a formal seminar for chemistry students at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday at the Romney Building in room 277. Later, at 3:15 p.m. in Benson 287, there will be another event to explore pharmacy careers that will feature activities and a Q&A session for any pre-healthcare students.
Kyle Turner, an associate professor and assistant dean of Student Affairs at the College of Pharmacy at the University of Utah, will be one of those in attendance at the seminar during forum hour on Thursday. He said one of his university’s goals is to increase enrollment in their pharmacy program.
“So, part of it is to just get on campus to build relationships with faculty and students and to really just raise the awareness that one, pharmacy is a great profession, and two, we have a really great pharmacy school not too far from Idaho.”
According to its website, out of 130+ pharmacy schools in the United States, the College of Pharmacy at the University of Utah “has consistently ranked in the top ten pharmacy schools on the basis of research funding awarded by the National Institute of Health.”
Turner says he’s recruiting BYU-Idaho graduates because of their work ethic and desire to serve.
“I mean, one thing I think about with pharmacists is 100 new drugs might come out in a given year, and we have to keep learning,” he said. “We have to learn about them and how they work and how they interact with others. So, I just think it’s an institution that’s really focused on learning and really wants to provide a solid education. And I think that will just continue to carry when people go into pharmacy school.”
A distinguishing feature of the university is the small class size. Up to 60 students are accepted into each class, and those students will move through the 4-year program as a cohort.
“Come and learn. Come and see if this is a profession that you would find enjoyable,” Turner said. “Come and get to know us. One of the cool things about graduate school, and I’d say, specifically our pharmacy school, is we’re here to help you succeed. We’re not trying to weed anybody out. We want to build a relationship and set you up for success from the application process all the way through the end of school.”
The seminar and info session is this Thursday.