Saint John University Pharmacist Students gain valuable exposure to the traditions and celebrations of the communities they serve through an innovative curriculum designed to enhance their sensitivity to diverse cultures and ethnicities.
THE Improved Community Pharmacy Services Network (CPESN) develops tools and resources focused on educating pharmacy teams and the communities they work with about the traditions and celebrations of a diversity of religious, ethnic and special interest group backgrounds. These resources will be shared with more than 3,500 community pharmacies involved in the CPESN networks.
Maria Marzella Mantione, Pharm.D.clinical professor, Clinical Health Professionsand director of the doctor of pharmacy program at College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, serves as a liaison between the CPESN’s University-Community Transformation (ACT) program and the College. THE ACT pharmaceutical collaboration This is an operational learning and action collaboration between colleges of pharmacy and community pharmacy practices, including clinically integrated networks of community pharmacies.
“My role in all this was quite simple,” recalls Dr. Mantione. “Last August, I received an email from the CPESN and I shared it with the students of the Doctor of Pharmacy classes of 2024 and 2025, encouraging them to apply.
She added: “An experience like this greatly benefits our students by giving them the opportunity to provide their expertise and advice to pharmacists across the country. I am proud that several students have chosen to apply and share their knowledge and experiences related to their cultural and religious practices to improve the quality of care offered in thousands of community pharmacies across the country.
Special interest groups include, but are not limited to: Alaskan, Arab, Asian, Buddhist, Caribbean, Taoist, Disability Pride, Filipino, French, German, Greek, Irish, Italian, Jewish, LGBTQ+, Native American, Pacific Islander and Scottish. .
John Gabriel C. Ortiz, a fifth-year pharmacy student, emphasized that community pharmacy is the backbone of the pharmacy profession. “They are considered the most accessible healthcare providers. Frequent interactions between patients and pharmacists make it important that pharmacists are able to competently interact with patients.
He added: “Fostering a personalized, culturally respectful relationship with their patients allows pharmacists to be part of the community. Familiarity and trust between patient and pharmacist helps pharmacists tailor their service to their patients and allows patients to be transparent about compliance and compliance with their medications. By providing independent pharmacists with cultural awareness resources, I hope my efforts will help improve the care pharmacists provide to their patients.
John worked on the CPESN initiative resources which aimed to educate pharmacists about the cultures of their patient populations. He and another pharmacy student worked on a presentation that covered various topics regarding the Filipino population. The presentation included disease risk factors for Filipinos, Filipino cultural customs and celebrations, stereotypes Filipinos face, and general demographic information about the Filipino American population.
“Thanks to this experience, I was able to contribute to the cultural awareness of pharmacies integrated into the CPESN,” he emphasized. “I improved my writing and presentation skills. Overall, the experience was rewarding and allowed me to make an impact on pharmacies across the United States.
“As someone of Buddhist descent and a Vietnamese American, I found the opportunity to explore public outreach within the context of pharmacy very compelling,” observed Laura Pham, also a fifth-year student. “Currently, we are working on several mediums, including a video, a PowerPoint and a digital marketing tool aimed at specifically raising awareness of Buddhist practices among pharmacists. »
“During this entire period, Angelina Tucker, Pharm.D., network facilitator at CESPN, was an excellent guide thanks to her unlimited knowledge and wise advice. Even though we’re just getting started, I’m really excited for everyone to see what we have to offer. »
