Community Service Develops Better Communities—and Pharmacists

Every student pharmacist at UIC is involved in some sort of extracurricular volunteer activity or community service work, ranging from health screenings and pharmacy education activities to local cleanup days and volunteering at soup kitchens. From the beginning of their P1 year, UIC student pharmacists are encouraged to develop skills to enhance their relationships with the local community through service to make them not only better pharmacists, but also better people.

Their active engagement in service work on top of their academic commitments reflects their dedication to being well-rounded and effective pharmacy leaders who want to make a positive change in their world. Here are just a few of our students who have made it their mission to connect with and to serve their local communities.

ALDEN WILLIAMS

Alden Williams, P3 student pharmacist in Chicago, volunteers every week on the South Side of Chicago at the Boxville Marketplace, where he gives free blood glucose tests and blood pressure screenings to local community members. Alden is part of the UPHARM program, which is designed to introduce students to issues specific to urban public health and primary care practice. In addition to his work at the Boxville Marketplace, he volunteers at various races, and this past summer, he contributed to the AIDS memorial garden in Chicago.

“One of my favorite moments from volunteering at Boxville is seeing how motivated the people are to take control of their health,” he says. “It’s truly inspiring to witness how much they care about their well-being and are proactive in seeking guidance.”

Williams also recognizes how important these experiences are for becoming a better pharmacist.

“By interacting with diverse populations, students can improve their communication skills, cultural competence, and understanding of different health challenges,” he says. “Pharmacists being involved in their local communities is essential. It helps build trust and fosters a deeper understanding of the unique health needs of the community. Community service has positively impacted me by improving my cultural competency and helping me understand and empathize with different groups, which ultimately makes me a more effective pharmacist.

RAQUEL M. ORTIZ-MERCED

Raquel M. Ortiz-Merced, P4 student pharmacist in Rockford, gives free blood pressure screenings at county fairs and offers flu clinic immunizations and medication counseling to the local Rockford community. She is also involved in educating elementary school students so they can learn about the field of pharmacy. She participates in local cleanups, such as at the Camp Winnebago YMCA of Rock River Valley.

“It’s important for pharmacy students to be involved in community service because it provides you with exposure to different patient populations, backgrounds, and perspectives,” she says. “It also teaches you to work as a team with different people for a common good. Community service gives student pharmacists the opportunity to improve their soft skills such as leadership, effective communication, and empathy. And as a Latina, being able to connect with the Spanish speaking population and identify their excitement when they get to ask me questions and clarify concepts about healthcare has been one of my favorite experiences.”

AUSTIN FLEMMING

Austin Flemming, P3 student pharmacist in Rockford, is part of the RPHARM program and is involved in many activities related to rural pharmacy outreach. He has helped lead pharmacy camps for high school and elementary school students, volunteers at his church’s soup kitchen, and participates in 4-H career days and blood pressure clinics at local county fairs.

“Whether it is providing medical advice at community events or even just lending a hand to a homeless shelter, we as student pharmacists can receive many benefits from service, including stronger interpersonal skills, as well as find joy in knowing your impact has helped others,” says Flemming. “It is important for pharmacists to be involved in local communities because we can provide services and advice that help managing health run smoother for everybody. I also believe the general public often underestimates the value of a pharmacist, so being involved in local communities helps demonstrate what we can offer as healthcare professionals.”

LEXI TERRIS

Lexi Terris, P3 student pharmacist in Chicago, volunteers at the Boxville Marketplace and the IMD Guest House, which provides comfortable, affordable accommodation for patients and their families going through medical treatment. She is involved in UIC’s Narcan training and distribution program on campus and in the Chicago community. In addition to being a volunteer, she also organizes many of these events.

“My favorite memory from my work with the local community is when I hosted a bingo night with help from my Phi Delta Chi brothers at Guest House. The guests are very competitive, so it was a really fun atmosphere and very rewarding being able to hand out the prizes we fundraised for.”

She says her frequent interactions and relationships developed from her service work have helped her feel like a more effective healthcare provider.

“Since being a pharmacist is one of the most trusted professions, it is essential to have connections with the community,” she says. “By doing this work, we pharmacy students are able to experience the direct impact they can have on their community beyond the pharmacy counter. There are people who face barriers to healthcare that rely on the outreach efforts of pharmacists and other healthcare providers to have their questions and needs met. It helps the community develop trust when they can make connections with their pharmacist.”

“Participating in community service has taught me that while a service or interaction might seem insignificant to me, it might mean a lot to someone else,” she says. “So, even when it feels like your efforts are small, trust that they will still have an impact on others.”

DESIREE ARIRIERI

Desiree Aririeri, P3 student pharmacist in Chicago, is another UPHARM student who volunteers at Boxville Marketplace. Every week, she takes blood pressure screenings next to a vegetable food truck and provides

a casual, low-pressure environment for patients to take their blood pressure and talk about their health.

“Volunteering is important because you get real life experience with patients in an environment that school alone may not be able to prepare you for,” she says. “Volunteering in underserved communities is especially important as these communities may not get the same quality of care as other people in different zip codes. You get to hear these experiences firsthand and help in your own way bridge the gap. My favorite memory is when I was able to give a free blood pressure monitor to a young man. He was so happy, you could see the tears in his eyes.”

“I thought I understood the health inequities in this area, but to see it firsthand is humbling. I believe it will help me better understand the needs of my patients as a future pharmacist.”