Ajia Vigil is a third-year PharmD candidate at St. Louis College of Pharmacy at the University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy.
On October 10, 2025, St. Louis College of Pharmacy at the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy (UHSP) campus quad came alive with energy, conversation, and a sense of community spirit for the annual Walk-By Clinic. Hosted by our APhA–ASP Chapter in partnership with the Missouri Pharmacists Association (MPA), we welcomed members of the St. Louis community for a day filled with free health services, wellness education, and genuine human connection.
The goal of the event was simple but impactful: make health care easy, accessible, and welcoming for everyone. With dozens of student pharmacists volunteering, the clinic offered a wide variety of services, including:
- Free flu shots
- STI testing
- Plan B
- Blood pressure checks
- Blood glucose screening
- Medication disposal kits
- Narcan
- Pillboxes
- Mental health resources
- Medicaid and health insurance enrollment in collaboration with Affinia Healthcare
A walk-through of the clinic experience
Patients were guided through a smooth, friendly flow of stations run entirely by student pharmacists, with supervision from a licensed pharmacist.
- Check-in: Guests were greeted with a smile and registered alongside our partners from MPA.
- Operation Immunizations: Patients checked their flu shot status and received vaccinations for flu and COVID-19 if needed.
- Operation Heart: Blood pressure and pulse screenings came with personalized education and encouragement about management of high blood pressure.
- Operation Diabetes: Blood glucose checks helped patients learn more about their blood glucose health.
- Operation Substance Use Disorders: Volunteers provided Narcan kits, disposal bags, and overdose education, a valuable resource for safety.
- Operation OTC Med Safety: Pillboxes and counseling helped visitors feel more confident managing their medications.
- Project Life: A quiet, reflective space for mental health support, gratitude notes, and mindfulness resources.
- Operation Reproductive Health: Free Plan B and STI screening were provided with compassion and confidentiality, in partnership with Affinia Healthcare in St. Louis.
Across each table, volunteers took time to listen, answer questions, and truly connect with every patient.
My experience as a volunteer
Participating in the Walk-By Clinic was a significant experience for me. I was stationed at the greeting table, where I had the opportunity to greet and chat with patients. I was fortunate to run the UHSP social media of that day, and I got to witness all the student volunteers at each table. It was amazing to see what everyone was doing at each station and serve as a reminder that the pharmacy profession is so important. What stood out to me most was how appreciative patients were, not just for the services, but for the kindness behind every student pharmacist volunteer. It reminded me why I chose pharmacy in the first place: to be a source of support, knowledge, and compassion during any moment in anyone’s life.
This clinic strengthened my confidence in communicating with patients and taught me how impactful small interactions can be. As a future pharmacist, I know these skills, listening and educating, will be at the heart of my work every day.
Volunteer perspectives
I spoke to a few fellow volunteers and got their thoughts on our important initiative.
“This event embodies the true spirit of pharmacy service, accessibility, and community,” said Zahra Ali, a third-year PharmD candidate at UHSP. “The Walk-By Clinic is more than just a service event. It’s a hands-on reminder for us student pharmacists as to why we chose pharmacy in the first place: to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives!”
Amber Loo, also a third-year PharmD candidate at UHSP, noted: “I remember one patient who made a special stop at our Operation Immunization tent after hearing about the event on the news. He received his flu vaccine and told us he couldn’t pass up the opportunity. That encounter reminded me that there is so much willingness out there—willingness to receive care and to take steps toward better health—yet many people simply don’t know where to start. Being able to offer that starting point to anyone who needs it is incredibly rewarding. I’m grateful to work alongside people who feel that same sense of purpose.”
It was also enlightening to get feedback from Latrice Commons, a health application worker and certified application counselor with the Missouri Community Development Organization Association and a certified HIV prevention navigator. She observed, “Partnering with the student pharmacists at the wellness clinic reinforced the importance of teamwork in the community. They were incredibly helpful and made sure I felt comfortable throughout the event. Their eagerness to learn and to serve made the experience both fulfilling and inspiring for everyone involved.”
A day of service, connection, and growth
The Walk-By Clinic was more than just a health clinic; it was a reminder of the positive change student pharmacists can create in their communities. By offering judgment-free care and meaningful conversations, we helped empower patients to take charge of their health.
As I move forward on my path toward becoming a pharmacist, I’m grateful for experiences like this one. They teach me not only clinical skills, but also the importance of compassion, accessibility, and community engagement.