Farmers Market Initiative

Anyone who believes that being a student is only a Monday through Friday responsibility obviously has not been a member of the UConn School of Pharmacy LEADERS Track. These students are committed to demonstrating their dedication to the people of Connecticut 24/7/365...even if that means giving up Saturdays and Sundays during the summer.

The students within the track educate the public on summer health risks through our Farmers Market Initiative. At farmers markets through the state, the students man a booth at which they educate market attendees on the importance of sunscreen use and it proper application, along with discussing other topics such as tick prevention and removal or dehydration prevention.

Why do the students do this?? From the student perspective, they enjoy the opportunity to interact with the public and provide education in a service-focused setting. From the patient perspective, they enjoy the free samples of sunscreen that we use to lure them in and benefit from the knowledge gained. We have lost count of the number of people who say they know exactly how to use sunscreen but then are surprised when the students remind them to reapply every 2 hours. From my perspective as a faculty member and pharmacist, this initiative provides the opportunity for students to practice their communication skills while providing a service to the community.  Students often think that a relaxed environment like a farmers market will be easy but when they actually need to find a way to engage someone who is walking by and get their key points mentioned, they quickly learn that this setting can be just as challenging as standing in front of a large audience. By the end of the day, the students have learned different "tricks" for getting the attention of attendees - anything from convincing a small child to come win a sunscreen sample by playing a game to reminding the person with the tattoo who think he does not need sunscreen that he needs to protect the beautiful artwork on his arm to offering sunscreen to the vendors who will be standing outside all day.

Service, patient education, and student development...that sounds like a win-win to me!! But, how successful is the program??? Between the 6 markets we attended this summer we educated over 1500 Connecticut residents. Definitely win-win!!

An end or a beginning??

As another spring semester comes to a close, my emotions are extremely mixed...as they are every year at this time but even more so this year.

Part of me is overjoyed to reach the end of a semester of teaching...more accurately, I am overjoyed to reach the end of the stress and work which comes with a semester of teaching. For those who ask (and I get asked often), yes, I do still work during the summer but it is more focused on research, projects, administrative responsibilities, and preparing for the next semester. But, it is a different feeling without the constant swirl of chaos that the semester brings. Don't get me wrong - the students are typically the best part of my job. Unfortunately, the rest of the job goes into a holding pattern while classes are in session so there is always this feeling of being behind on your work.

This year I am sad to see the semester end because 5 of the Pharmacy LEADERS Track students will be receiving their PharmD degrees just 2 short days from now. I am sad for me, not for them. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching them grow into the incredible leaders they are today. It may sound motherly of me but I wish I could keep them from leaving the nest.

The graduation of these 5 leaders also brings me an amazing sense of pride. They are the first UConn School of Pharmacy graduates to earn the distinction of Pharmacy LEADERS Scholar. They jumped in with both feet into a brand new track and helped to develop it. They were leaders long before they stepped into the track but used the track as an opportunity to expand their knowledge, skills, and attitudes in leadership. I am confident that they will represent themselves and UConn well as alumni, leaders, and health care providers.

Wherever they go and whatever they do, they always have a home in our hearts and are Huskies Forever!