Six student pharmacists from the ETSU Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy have been accepted into the Tennessee Area Health Education Centers Scholars Program.
The students involved are Jacquelyn Crawford, Kristen Friend, Martha Leigh Martin-Gibbs, Kaitlyn Phillips, Kaitlyn Price and Sydney Tabor.
The program is part of a national initiative designed to develop a diverse, culturally sensitive health care workforce that is well-equipped to offer quality care, particularly to rural and underserved populations.
Students must complete 40 hours of team-based, interprofessional clinical experience and 40 hours of didactic learning focused on six core topics: patient-centered clinical practice transformation, interprofessional education, cultural competence, social determinants of health, behavioral health integration and current and emerging health issues.
Martin-Gibbs’ interest in science and helping people is what got her into pharmacy.
Martin-Gibbs was encouraged to apply for the AHEC program by a professor and a friend, and said she believes it will help further develop her skills to provide optimal patient care. The program is an interprofessional opportunity and Martin-Gibbs said it is important for healthcare professionals to collaborate and work together, particularly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m just really honored to be selected as an AHEC scholar,” said Martin-Gibbs. “I think it’ll be a really great opportunity to hone my skills as a pharmacist and a great addition to my training here at Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy.”
Phillips’ chemistry teacher encouraged her to take the STEM route and she toured Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy when she was 15 years old. Like Martin-Gibbs, she said she is excited for the interprofessional aspect of the program as well as the opportunity for teaching others.
“It’s really an honor to be part of such a long-standing program,” said Phillips. “I’m excited to be a more well-rounded clinician.”
ETSU students are participating in the program virtually and partake in webinars; however, there is an opportunity to do some local in-person clinical work.
Learn more about the program at www.tnahec.org and Gatton College of Pharmacy at www.etsu.edu/pharmacy.
