Safety Nets: Student Spotlights

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FOR MEDICAL SCIENCES COLLEGE OF PHARMACY

Melanie Reinhardt, Pharm.D. Eddie Dunn, Pharm.D.

Student Spotlights

This issue of Safety Nets illustrates the potential hazards associated with poorly handwritten prescriptions. Thank you for your continued support of this column.

The first Student Spotlight was published in the 2018 Spring issue of The Arkansas Pharmacist. Since that time, our Student Spotlight feature has been published quarterly in conjunction with Safety Nets. The response from our UAMS student pharmacists has been so overwhelmingly positive, this issue of Safety Nets is solely dedicated Student Spotlights. §

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Serving Others

- Jonathan Hardage

I used to be a pharmacy student who thought more about studying for a big exam than I did about volunteering to help others. But one day, I learned there was more to serving others than just pharmacy-related activities. I came to this realization after a brief encounter with a stranger.

Several weeks ago, I started volunteering at a food pantry. I wanted to volunteer for some time and finally decided to sign-up. However, as soon as I began preparing meals and stocking shelves, I felt like I was wasting my time. “Who will benefit from this,” I thought. “A pharmacy student should be doing something pertaining to pharmacy.” I was so wrong.

One afternoon, I held the door open for a gentleman entering my apartment building who was carrying a big box. After thanking me, the gentleman told me the box contained food from the food pantry where I volunteered. He said he wanted to open the box and show me the food he received. I was surprised to notice the meals inside were ones I had prepared just days earlier. He said he was grateful for the food pantry, and even offered to help me get in touch with the pantry, so I could also get some food.

It turns out I had helped someone after all. Did I count any tablets? No. Did I counsel about a medication? No. Had I even been inside a pharmacy? No. However, I learned I could serve others outside of a pharmacy setting. Being a pharmacist doesn’t mean you only dispense medication or provide counseling. Being a pharmacist also means serving others at every opportunity.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

I Never Get the Flu; I Don’t Need the Shot

- Marissa Johnston

I always knew one day I would be taking care of my parents. That is what children are expected to do. However, I never anticipated that day would come so soon. I watched his blood sugar skyrocket to over 500, while his pulse was almost undetectable.

My Dad has Type 2 diabetes, and last year, he refused to get vaccinated for the flu. He said, “I never get the flu; I don’t need the shot.” He would come to regret those words. I know, in that moment, he wished he had been vaccinated. Unfortunately, 5 months later he was diagnosed with influenza. His condition deteriorated so rapidly that we had to call an ambulance to transport him to the hospital. It was heartbreaking watching the EMTs place him on the stretcher in our living room. Upon our arrival to the hospital, he was immediately admitted to the intensive care unit. At this point, the medical team stated it was too late for standard influenza treatment. They were forced to treat current symptoms and attempted to keep him comfortable. My Dad is my hero, the man I look up to, and someone I couldn’t imagine losing. No one, especially daughters, should have to watch their Dad go through so much pain, pain that could have been completely prevented.

After 7 days in the ICU he was finally released. It was several more weeks before he fully recovered. My Dad is stronger and better than ever. This year, my Dad told me that “no one is getting the flu shot before him.”