"The Community Service Challenge highlighted the impact that the profession can have on patients and community members outside of the formal health care system."
In February, the University of Wisconsin (UW)–Madison School of Pharmacy held its first ever Community Service Challenge (CSC), a competition between teams of 2 to 4 people to log the most community service hours in 1 month. The idea was conceptualized by a group of second- and third-year student pharmacists as an event to engage all student organizations and help volunteers develop their leadership, communication, and teamwork skills through community service.
At our school, student pharmacists are required to complete a certain number of community outreach hours during their first and second years. Many students remain involved beyond their second year and surpass the number of required hours. Although this genuine interest in serving the community was noticed, it was never formally recognized nor promoted. This challenge served as a platform to recognize the continued involvement of students and offer additional health and non-health-related community service events.
A lifelong activity
Leading up to the event, each student organization was encouraged to plan community service events during February to engage students in a variety of activities. Our APhA–ASP Chapter hosted many events for members through various operation activities, including Operation Diabetes and Personal Health Partners (PHP), where student pharmacists educated the community on health-related topics.
At the end of February, 75 students logged a total of 385 hours toward the CSC. The hours completed exemplify the time that students devoted to service activities in and out of school. More importantly, the CSC provided a platform to reinforce the importance of student pharmacist commitment to service in the community and highlighted the impact that the profession can have on patients and community members outside of the formal health care system.
Although pharmacists are accessible health care providers, the time spent with patients may be limited due to barriers to health care access. Community service offers an avenue to connect with patients outside of the pharmacy or other health care settings. Through such interactions, pharmacists can learn more about populations that are being served, identify what their needs are, and form positive relationships with community members. One of the faculty members we recognized during the CSC, Associate Professor Denise Pigarelli, PharmD, shared her perspective: “Community service is a lifelong activity that needs to be nurtured throughout one’s life.” Student pharmacists are positioned at the beginning of their professional journey, and service is a key component in the building of a legacy.
UW first-year PharmD candidate Abby Smith reflected on her experience in the CSC: “I was particularly excited about the CSC because it encouraged me to try new volunteer events. I volunteered with PHP at a local housing shelter, where I got to speak with residents on various health topics or whatever questions they had. I now plan to continue to volunteer with PHP because I’ve seen first-hand the impact that the program has on residents of the shelter.”
Begin, and continue, your legacy
Other student organizations, such as Phi Lambda Sigma, sponsored multiple events for the CSC, including writing cards for veterans, volunteering at a local food pantry, and holding a food drive. This facilitated student knowledge of community service activities hosted regularly within the community. Additionally, a faculty or staff member was recognized each week for their involvement in community service-related activities, emphasizing the importance of service involvement throughout a pharmacy career.
Moving forward, UW–Madison student pharmacists will seek to continue their legacy in community service by advocating for student involvement. Chapter Community Outreach Co-Chair Allison Martin, a third-year PharmD candidate, noted the importance of student involvement when asked about the future of community service within the organization: “With every changing year, the service projects continue to grow and student pharmacists have new opportunities to work with real-life patients. The continued focus on community outreach encourages student pharmacists to develop as professionals and allows them to leave their impact on the surrounding community.”
Continuing this commitment is up to each and every student pharmacist from around the country to come together as one. Only through such service and dedication to communities and patients can you Begin Your Legacy.
Lindsey Skubitz is a second-year PharmD candidate, and Meredith Frey and Eric Friestrom are third-year PharmD candidates, at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Pharmacy.