Admitted Students Offer Advice

We host many outreach and informational programs throughout the year. We always try to include current students in the program as it provides prospective students/applicants an opportunity to hear directly from them -- their advice, experiences, and challenges.

Students who will enter the program this fall are not too far removed from the application process. It's still fresh in their minds. I asked them, "If you could offer a single piece of advice to an applicant who is applying to UCSF School of Pharmacy, what would it be? What would you say?" Below are some of their responses!

“Be yourself. Be honest.” -Vicki

“Spend lots of time on the essays. Talk about as many experiences as you can. Don't keep talking about the same experience in all the essays. Make sure your responses to essay questions are backed by examples and experiences.” -Ami

“Keep a pharmacy journal. Every time you learn something new in pharmacy, attend a conference, shadow a pharmacist, write it down. It will be extremely helpful when preparing your application essays.” -Leanne

“Two words: time management. Make sure you have everything in order: what classes you need to take, when to ask for letters of recommendation, and all your deadlines laid out. I suggest creating a timeline.” -Helen

“Do as much research about the Doctor of Pharmacy program as you can. You're about to spend the next four years of your life here! Just as UCSF will see if you're a good fit, make sure that this program is a good fit for you.” -Allison

“Disregard all thoughts of where you "stand" as an applicant. Be yourself, tell the truth and apply. I almost didn't submit my application because I didn't think I would get in, yet here I am.” -Jennifer

"Have the conviction to turn down an offer of admission if it means sacrificing doing what you love. In other words, make sure you do not compromise your identity in order to get into UCSF. Represent your true self, and let the Admissions Committee make the hard decisions."-Keil

 

“Analyze all of your life experiences in order to trace how they have shaped you as a person and led you to the decision of pursuing a career in pharmacy. It will help you understand yourself better, define your goals, and set your priorities.” -Yuliya

“Developing a successful application is no trivial task. The more time and effort you put into the application, the better it will be. You can't do it all in one sitting. It took me months of daily editing to finish and I'm glad I took the time.” - Leo

“UCSF’s application is the most difficult but yet the most rewarding. If you put your heart into it (and try to enjoy it),  you will find that you not only present the school a complete YOU -- but also gain a new understanding of yourself.  DIG DEEPLY!” -Louis

“Get a head start on writing your essays! Take time to really reflect and answer each essay question thoroughly and genuinely. The essays are YOUR chance to sum up who you are, what your goals are, and why you want to attend UCSF.” -Dalga

“Really focus on writing good essays! Your writing style and content can give a sense of who you are and how you stand out. Know your attributes and what you want to convey, and edit edit edit!” –Christina

“Don't underestimate yourself. There were so many times I thought I wasn't competitive enough because of my stats. However, UCSF is definitely a school that looks at more than numbers. As long as you're passionate about pharmacy, you can shine!” -Riti

“My advice would be to keep a journal of all your experiences and activities. When it comes time to respond to essay questions, you will have pages of snapshots to pull from. This helped me express my thoughts, both genuinely and with details.” -Nola

“Have fun with it. The essays are designed to get a deeper understanding of the applicant. It really is a time to open up and discover who you really are. The essay process can be therapeutic, if you let it.” -Timothy

“Take time to really think about who you are as an individual, not who you think UCSF is looking for.  Knowing this will help you respond with  genuine and meaningful answers (on the application and in the interview) which is very important.” -Sierra

“Don’t be afraid to be yourself -- on paper and off.  If you draw from your experiences and answer honestly from the heart, everything will be alright.” -Richard

“Be yourself during the process. Make sure the admissions committee knows your journey and show them your passion for pharmacy. Don’t be nervous, have confidence. Remember both you and the committee are trying to determine if you are a good fit.” -Katelyn

“Be confident that you are deserving of one of the 122 spots in the class, and apply whole-heartedly and fearlessly. Know yourself and your passions. Convey your unique characteristics that set you apart from the rest.” -Jenny

“TAKE TIME to evaluate strengths and weaknesses. Acknowledge your weaknesses and think about how to improve. For example, if you haven't worked in a pharmacy, think about healthcare-related experiences (e.g, traveling abroad, personal hospitalization, etc.).” -Jade

“Avoid online forums after your application is submitted. Reading that other applicants have been invited to an interview or offered admission can cause you to unnecessarily read into your own status.” -Robert

“Don't wait until the day before the deadline to submit your supplemental application.” -Aaron

“Take advantage of the essay portions when applying. Fully express yourself through writing so you can deliver your own spin to the application. Besides your academic background, the school takes note of the individuality of each applicant.” -Stephanie

“My best advice is to be 100% comfortable with yourself and entirely genuine. Don't waste time trying to become an applicant that you think UCSF will want. Be exactly who you are and if you are a good-hearted person, they'll see it easily!” -Iris

“Dedicate lots of time to the application process. Edit your application with others' suggestions, make thoughtful changes, even complete re-writes. Prepare for your interview by practicing with a helpful audience.” -Kari

“In the words of Robert Kennedy, ‘Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.’ Have the courage to apply. Be confident. That way you can eliminate nervousness and really express yourself in your essays and interview.” -Niki

“I believe what really makes an individual suited for UCSF is that they are 'outliers' - they have demonstrated uniqueness in their actions and achievements. They can articulate how doing so has developed them into a leader.” -Christopher

In Their Own Words: Chad

(Note: Chad just finished his first year on the Admissions Committee so I was really curious as to how he would reflect on his experiences. True to form, he was just simply honest. With Chad, there just isn't any pretense -- from his own pharmacy school application to his approach reviewing applicant files -- his authenticity and thoughtfulness are totally apparent. Last year when we were interviewing students to be members of the Admissions Committee, one of the student selectors said of Chad "Oh, he can work with ANYBODY!" The others agreed without hesitation. It's that characteristic that makes Chad a pleasant and invaluable addition to our PharmD program and to our committee.)

Name: Chad

Year: Class of 2014

Hometown: Davis, CA (now San Leandro, CA)

Previous institutions attended: Stanford University, CSU East Bay (post-bac)

Undergraduate Majors: Communication and Sociology

Why did you apply to be a member of the Admissions Committee and what have you enjoyed the most?

A big part of the reason why I applied was to see how the whole system works. I remember when I applied to pharmacy school I was so fascinated by the admissions process, and I wondered how the Committee made such tough decisions. But more than that, I felt like I had a lot to offer in terms of my background as a non-traditional (read: older) student and as a career-changer. One of UCSF’s strengths is its ability to attract diverse and dynamic students, and serving on the Admissions Committee gave me the opportunity to play a role in the process of selecting those students.

What surprised you most about UCSF’s admissions process?

How vehemently the members of the Admissions Committee argue for the files they’ve reviewed. During our committee meetings, we talk about the applicants in a group panel format. If one member of the committee feels very strongly about a particular student, she or he will make those views very clear. A discussion ensues, and it can be very, uh, lively!

In your opinion, what are the most common mistakes applicants make?

Failing to see an easy solution to a potential shortcoming. For example, not retaking a class in which you got a D or an F and thereby showing us that you have mastered the material. Don’t give us reasons to doubt your commitment and drive; instead, give us reasons to want to admit you without reservation!

What stands out to you on an application?

Passion! It is easy to spot it in an application when it’s there, and it is equally obvious when it’s not. If you have the drive and determination to become a pharmacist, let it show in your essays and in the care you put towards assembling your application. Too often applicants will tell us what they think we want to hear, and in doing so will fail to let their own individuality and passion shine through. If you are truly passionate about this path you have chosen, tell us your story and really OWN it!

What are your pet peeve(s) when interviewing an applicant or reviewing a file? (What drives you crazy?)

Using flippant or jocular language to the point of being unprofessional. When you are interviewing for pharmacy school (or any professional program, for that matter), you need to drop those “Yeah, like, totally, and stuff…” phrases from your vocabulary. Nerves are understandable, and we all have those idiosyncrasies that come out when we are nervous. But remember that you are being evaluated on communication skills, and it is important to show us that you understand how to communicate professionally. The same goes for written materials. By all means, use humor to make your essays quirky and unique, but don’t cross that line between funny/quirky and inappropriate/unprofessional. Have someone, who can remain objective, review your application before you submit it (i.e., NOT a family member or significant other).

What characteristics are necessary in order to succeed in UCSF’s PharmD program?

Commitment, focus, and time management skills – in no particular order! All of those characteristics are essential to succeed. This is a very demanding program, and if you drop your focus or are not completely invested in the final outcome, you will struggle. You also need to be able to choose your activities and extracurricular commitments wisely. Over-committing causes a LOT of stress and can negatively impact your academic performance. It’s important to know when to say no!

What tools or resources would you recommend to prospective applicants?

Make FULL use of all the resources that UCSF provides, from Preview Sessions to campus tours to the Supplemental Application presentations. Also, talk to as many UCSF alums or current students as you can to get a sense of the curriculum and the school as a whole. You need to know if UCSF is a good fit for you (and vice versa). On a side note, take everything you read on public forums with a grain of salt. You’ll hear a lot of conspiracy theories etc., so keep an open, yet objective, mind.

What single piece of advice would you give to a prospective applicant?

Get to know everything you can about the school(s) on your list. You will be spending a huge chunk of the next 3-4 years at your school of choice, so be sure it’s the right one for you. Don’t rely on rankings, reputation, NAPLEX pass rate, etc.

Why do you think you were admitted into UCSF’s PharmD program?

I was a fairly unusual applicant, since I decided to change careers in my late 30s (my previous career was in journalism/media). I think my winding road to pharmacy and previous work experience gave me the insight to compose a unique and thoughtful application. I also had a solid academic background (but I was nowhere near a 4.0 GPA). In addition, I wrote my essays from the heart. A big part of the reason why I decided to change careers was my own experience as a patient, so that background made it very easy for me to tell my story and connect it to the broader goal of becoming a pharmacist.

What do you do for fun?

I like to read, travel with my husband John, see movies, and just relax. When I finish pharmacy school, I’m hoping to get my pilot’s license (which I started several years ago but had to put on hold as I went back to school).

(To read all previous "In Their Own Words" profiles, click the "committee profiles" label link below!) 

What's YOUR Story?

Everyone has a story to tell.

We are excited to share with you seven new profiles of current UCSF PharmD students -- adding to the 14 previously posted profiles. We love this project because it gives us a chance to share with you the dynamic path each individual has taken, along with the unique characteristics they possess. It would be super-crazy-cool if we could post profiles of EVERY student -- but that would be impossible.

While every person has a different story to tell, we believe this group of students represents the diversity of experiences and aspirations reflected in our student body. What you don't necessarily get in the profile is the compassion, genuineness, and authenticity of each of these individuals. I've had the chance to work with all of them and am constantly reminded of the gentle nature they go about making a difference in the world. It truly is an honor to have them represent UCSF.

What's YOUR story?

Check out the profiles here!

What a way to end the week!

Earlier today, the UCSF team was announced as the national winner of the 13th Annual Pharmacy and Therapeutics Competition sponsored by the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Foundation.

Congratulations to the team of Tien, Tiffany, Clint and Judy! We are so honored to have these four as part our community. (Never underestimate the power of critical thinking skills + communication skills + presentation skills. It's a winning combination!)

For more about this dynamic team and their journey to the national competition, visit UCSF's Campus Newspaper, the Synapse.

About the competition:
The AMCP Foundation conducted the 13th Annual National Student Pharmacist P&T Committee Competition (P&T Competition) at the AMCP 25th Annual Meeting & Expo in San Diego, California, April 4-5, 2013.  The competition was designed to challenge students to gain a real world perspective of the formulary management process.

Following a local competition within each Chapter, the winning team from each participating Student Chapter then submitted their presentation materials to the AMCP Foundation National Competition Selection Committee.  This committee selected eight (8) teams to participate in the AMCP Foundation 13th Annual National Student P&T Committee Competition (P&T Competition) in San Diego, California.

The finalist this year included: 

• Ohio Northern University   
• University of California San Francisco   
• University of Florida   
• University of Illinois at Chicago   
• University of Maryland   
• University of Minnesota   
• University of Southern California   
• University of Washington  

Formulary management is uniquely dynamic and requires extensive and timely pharmaceutical knowledge as well as an understanding of the medical community practice standards that exist within the health care system.  A Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee (P&T Committee) is ultimately responsible for developing, managing, updating, and administering the formulary system that is utilized by managed health care systems.

Pharmacists who serve on P&T Committees must know how to evaluate the best available scientific evidence, clinical and economic, weigh its use and its impact on patient population outcomes, be able to conduct cost/benefit analyses, and relate drug therapy choices to practice guidelines.  Development of these necessary formulary management skills will help managed health care systems achieve the challenging goals of improving the quality of patient care while controlling scarce healthcare resources.

The local and national competition is intended to give students an opportunity to hone a variety of skills including critical analysis, presentation and research skills.  More importantly, the competition allows students to view different styles and processes that can be used in effective formulary management and provide exposure to, and a working knowledge of AMCP's Format for Formulary Submissions.

UCSF Appoints New Dean of Nation's Top Pharmacy School

I'm so excited to post this!

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UCSF Appoints New Dean of Nation's Top Pharmacy School

Longtime Clinical Scientist Joseph Guglielmo Tapped to Take Helm

UC San Francisco has named a highly accomplished pharmacist and clinical scientist, B. Joseph Guglielmo, PharmD, to lead the nation’s premier School of Pharmacy, continuing the school’s focus on shaping the course of the therapeutic sciences, pharmacy education, patient care, and health policy.

UCSF Chancellor Susan Desmond-Hellmann, MD, MPH, announced the appointment today, noting the numerous contributions that Guglielmo already has made to UCSF, as well as his breadth of leadership across the academic pharmacy landscape.

“In its decades as the pre-eminent School of Pharmacy in the nation, the school has never been stronger, and there is no better dean to guide it into the future,” Desmond-Hellmann said. “Joe is both an able leader and an international expert in his field, and will provide a clear course for the school as it helps guide the changing world of health care.” 

We see a time when new, precise therapeutics – drugs, medical devices, and diagnostic tests – are used safely and effectively to improve the health of people everywhere.

Dean B. Joseph Guglielmo, PharmD

Developing Therapeutics to Improve Health

As the nation’s leading pharmacy school in terms of both research funding from the National Institutes of Health and the ranking of its Doctor of Pharmacy degree program in U.S. News & World Report, the UCSF School of Pharmacy serves as a bellwether for pharmacy schools worldwide.

“It is a tremendous honor to be named the next steward of this accomplished school,” said Guglielmo. “The caliber of people and the culture of respect and inclusion here are second to none: the faculty is brilliant and collegial; the students are leaders by instinct and experience; and the staff is extremely talented. Excellence is their common ground.”

Guglielmo has served as the school’s interim dean since July 2012. He previously led the school’s Department of Clinical Pharmacy as the Thomas A. Oliver Chair in Clinical Pharmacy.

“We see a time when new, precise therapeutics – drugs, medical devices, and diagnostic tests – are used safely and effectively to improve the health of people everywhere,” he said. “This view will drive my work as dean.”

The UCSF School of Pharmacy is a leader in pharmaceutical chemistry and in the bioengineering and therapeutic sciences, including such fields as pharmacogenomics, the science of how our genes affect our response to medication. In the 1960s, it was the birthplace of clinical pharmacy, in which pharmacists began to work in the hospital directly with physicians, patients, and their families to ensure the best medication choices and the safe and effective use of those medications in patients. The school is now exploring new ways to better apply the medication expertise of the pharmacist outside the hospital.

The School of Pharmacy’s specific focus on therapeutics to improve health complements UCSFs singular focus on health. The University also includes leading graduate schools of Dentistry, Medicine and Nursing, as well as graduate and doctoral programs in biomedical research, a vast research enterprise and a top medical center.

B. Joseph Guglielmo, who was named interim 

dean in 2012, joined the UCSF faculty in 1979.  

Well-Respected Member of UCSF Faculty

Guglielmo is a well-respected educator, clinical pharmacist and expert in the evidence-based, safe and effective use of antimicrobials to treat infections. He is a professor of clinical pharmacy in the UCSF School of Pharmacy, where he joined the faculty in 1979. He also currently serves as associate director of pharmaceutical services in the UCSF Medical Center, where he maintains a clinical practice as an infectious-disease pharmacist.

Widely known as an advocate for therapeutics research, Guglielmo oversaw, as department chair, a 40 percent increase in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy’s overall faculty research funding from 2006 to 2012, including grants from the National Institutes of Health.

Guglielmo’s international contributions to antibiotic safety include the UCSF Medical Center Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, which he developed in the 1980s to study and improve the practices governing the use of antimicrobials in hospitals. The goal of the ongoing program is to decrease the threat of microbes developing resistance to medications. This stewardship program was one of the earliest programs of its kind in the United States.

In 2007, Guglielmo created the UCSF Medication Outcome Center to improve medication use and management in the UCSF Medical Center and beyond.  He also developed clinical pharmacy services for UCSF's HIV/AIDS program, specifically supporting the HIV Women's Program and the Men of Color Program.
A firm believer in forging relationships among clinical scientists and their colleagues in basic and translational science, Guglielmo was actively involved in the UCSF Clinical and Translational Science Institute at its inception and during its renewal.

He has taught Doctor of Pharmacy and Doctor of Medicine students, residents and fellows for decades and is the recipient of many teaching awards, including the UCSF Lifetime Achievement in Mentoring Award, Resident Preceptor of the Year Awards, UCSF School of Pharmacy Long Teaching Award, and the Academic Senate Distinction in Teaching Award. He is the author of more than 110 peer-reviewed papers, the majority related to anti-infective agents.

Guglielmo will receive a base salary of $271,000, with a Health Sciences Compensation Plan component of $94,000 per year, for a total salary of $365,000.  He also is eligible for standard pension and health and welfare benefits for senior leadership. The appointment, which was approved by UC President Mark Yudof, will take effect April 1.

The UCSF School of Pharmacy is internationally known as a wellspring for research discovery and innovation in the therapeutic sciences, a leader in doctoral-level pharmacy professional education and science education, and a leader in the evidence-based pharmaceutical care of patients.

By Kristen Bole on March 21, 2013

Photos by © majedphoto.com

 

In Their Own Words: Ryan

(Note: It's been awhile since I've posted an Admissions Committee Student Profile... but we have a new crew on-board and I hope to introduce them through the spring and summer. First up is Ryan. I remember Ryan as an applicant and he certainly has lived up to the person we saw on paper and met during the interview -- authentic and genuine. If you've been to any of our Preview Sessions, you've likely met him. He's quick to volunteer for our outreach events -- which speaks to his passion for helping students prepare to enter a PharmD program. Ryan approaches his work on the Admissions Committee with dedication, attention to detail, and thoughtfulness. It's amazing when a current student cares so much about those just starting out on this journey.)

Name: Ryan

Year: Class of 2014 

Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts

Previous institution attended: University of Wisconsin - Madison
Undergraduate major: Biochemistry

Why did you apply to be a member of the Admissions Committee and what have you enjoyed the most?

I saw the admissions committee as a unique opportunity to collaborate with some of the faculty in a process that gives back to the school. I felt confident in my ability to review an applicant's materials and determine whether or not they were the right fit for our program here at UCSF. Understanding that it would be a significant time commitment, I knew I would enjoy participating in an activity that I am passionate about. I am interested in a career in academia and I thought that participating in this process would allow me to be more familiar with how the school operates an admission process. 

What surprised you most about UCSF’s admissions process?

I was surprised at how holistic the approach is. I think the admissions team does an outstanding job of evaluating each individual's entire application from start to finish. There really isn't any priority given to any one part of the application which makes it such that applicants have the opportunity to stand out in a variety of different ways. I think this is a pivotal part of the process as applicants to UCSF come from different backgrounds with unique experiences. 

In your opinion, what are the most common mistakes applicants make?

Lack of prioritizing their extracurricular activities.While we do like to see a breadth of different experiences, the quality of those experiences are far more important to me than the quantity. It makes it very difficult to know what you put your heart into if you have an extensive list of extracurricular activities. I often found that the stronger applicants had a few extracurricular activities, demonstrated sustained commitment to those activities, and often had letters of reference from those activities to vouch for their contributions.

What stands out to you on an application?

For me, I think quality PharmCAS and UCSF Supplemental essays really made some applicants stand out. For starters, it is very easy to determine whether or not an essay was edited simply from reading it over onetime. While a minor grammatical mistake certainly is not a deal-breaker, essays which are well written and lack any mistakes really stand out. I think there is a lot of variety in applicant writing styles as well as the quality of writing, but to have multiple grammatical and/or spelling mistakes, to me, indicates a lack of effort. A big piece of advice is to print each and every one of your essays you will submit, and give them to someone else to read. It is very difficult to catch all of your own mistakes, particularly if you are editing on a computer screen. 

What are your pet peeve(s) when interviewing an applicant or reviewing a file? (What drives you crazy?)

When an applicant does not actually answer the prompt for the supplemental application. I would have thought this was obvious, but I had a variety of applications where the individual simply did not answer the prompt. This can be very frustrating, particularly if the essay is well-written. While the prompts do provide some flexibility in your possible responses, please make sure to take one last look at your essay and ask yourself "Did I answer the question they asked me?" 

What characteristics are necessary in order to succeed in UCSF’s PharmD program?

I think the most important characteristic you can have is to be driven. Don't lose sight of the fact that getting into school is really the easy part. Once you become a student, it really is important that you are motivated to learn the material. Becoming a great pharmacist requires a lot of self-learning. Your professors will have high expectations of you and the best students are the ones who use that as a challenge to become great.

What tools or resources would you recommend to prospective applicants?

One thing I wish I had done to better prepare myself was talking to pharmacy students. Applicants often have previous interactions with pharmacists about what the career entails, but you can actually learn a lot from current students who are well versed in what it takes to get into/succeed in a PharmD program. I suggest attending one of the Pharmacy Information Days and getting in touch with a current PharmD student.

What single piece of advice would you give to a prospective applicant?

Do something to make yourself stand out.  At UCSF, we are looking for individuals who have the capacity to be leaders in the future. The best way to determine this is to look at what an individual did when they weren't in the classroom. If it is early on in the process and you don't have anything on your application that makes you unique, I encourage you to get involved in a program that will allow you to demonstrate your leadership. It doesn't necessarily have to be pharmacy-related, but you should have something on your application that makes us pull it out of the pile and say "This is someone I want to be a part of our school."

Why do you think you were admitted into UCSF’s PharmD program?

I am confident that I was admitted to UCSF because of my extracurricular involvement. Starting in the spring of my sophomore year, I obtained a job as a pharmacy technician at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics. This gave me exposure to an important aspect of the field of pharmacy which enhanced my ability to talk about the field during my prepared materials, my on-site essay, as well as in my interview. In addition to that experience, I also worked as a research assistant in a pharmacology laboratory. While I wasn't a stellar researcher, it gave me exposure to a field which is tied to pharmacy. Lastly, I volunteered at a hospice facility. This was a very unique experience that exposed me to a field of healthcare that is often overlooked. I think the admissions committee was attracted to the depth of my experiences which were all related to health care but certainly different from one another. 

What do you do for fun?

I am the definition of a "sports nut" as I really enjoy both watching and playing basketball, baseball, hockey, and football. We have an intramural basketball team, named the Badgers, that has won the student championship 3 out of 8 quarters we have been here.  Additionally, I am also quite the cinephile. I am currently working on a list of the "Top 100 Must-See Movies of All Time" to be released in the spring of 2014. Since moving to San Francisco, I have picked up additional hobbies such as running, biking, and brewing beer. One thing that is challenging about living in San Francisco is that there really is so much to do and it is difficult to take advantage of (being a student.) 

(To read all previous "In Their Own Words" profiles, click the "committee profiles" label link below!)

No limits, only possibilities....

I was perusing a recently-published book highlighting several UCSF scholarship recipients and saw this quote by Dean Emeritus Mary Anne Koda-Kimble. I love it! As the Admissions Committee is engaged in the work of identifying members of the entering class, it accurately describes the mindset while reviewing applicant packets and making tough decisions. Passion, compassion, and critical thinking skills -- these characteristics can NEVER be underestimated. 

Qualities...

Critical Thinking + Communication Skills = Championship!

Matthew and Katie embody everything we look for in prospective students -- the ability to think critically, outstanding communication skills, a passion for helping people, and a calm presence (especially in the midst of pressure!) If all that wasn't enough, these two have terrific personalities -- friendly, helpful, funny, and compassionate. And then you add the "smarty-pants" factor and you end up with the total package. I'm grateful these two chose to come to UCSF.

Q&A with UCSF student pharmacist winners of national clinical skills competition

Matthew Chang and Katie Alvarez, UCSF School of Pharmacy student pharmacists, are the winners of the 2012 Clinical Skills Competition held during the national meeting of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) in in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The clinical competition is performed in teams of two where each team is given a patient case to evaluate, provide appropriate assessment, recommend an effective drug therapy regimen, and conduct appropriate counseling.

Judges of the competition were all pharmacists, including: representatives of Kroger (the competition’s sponsor), the HIV pharmacist who wrote the case, and other SNPhA board members.

Here’s what Chang and Alvarez had to say about their experience:

What case did you present?
Our patient case was a 32-year-old treatment-naive [not taking antiretrovirals] HIV-positive woman complaining of shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, chest pains, and a non-productive cough. Her past medical history included asthma. She had been managing her symptoms with increased use of her albuterol inhaler prior to her hospital admission. After evaluating several symptoms, tests, and lab values, we prioritized her problems to include Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, esophageal candidiasis, disease progression, lack of vaccination, and smoking cessation.

Describe the competition process and what happened in each round.
Preliminary Round—all teams participate in the written plan: Teams are given the patient case (about three pages long) and have two hours to analyze it and complete the written pharmaceutical care plan. At the end of two hours, we turned in our written plan to be evaluated by the judges.

Final Round—includes the top three teams based on the written plan. The three teams were announced about 30 minutes prior to the final round, which was broken into two parts.

1. Case Presentation: We had five minutes to present our case to the panel of judges. The presentation ideally included a summary of the patient, including health problems and detailed recommendations for the patient’s most urgent problems. We then had a five-minute question-and-answer session with a panel of six judges, where drug therapy choices were challenged.
2. Patient Counseling Session: After the case presentation, we had five minutes to conduct a patient counseling session on the recommended medication regimen. The patient was just like any real patient—she asked questions and needed to have everything explained to her in lay language.

What prepared you for the competition?
Because of the scope of the competition, it is hard to do any last-minute preparations. We really just went back to what we learned from our distinguished UCSF faculty. At UCSF, we are trained in evidence-based, patient-centered medicine. From this training, we recommended drug therapies that best fit the patient’s needs and addressed possible pitfalls before they could occur.

What was the greatest challenge of the competition?
The greatest challenge was the complexity of the case. There were many symptoms that suggested different disease states. We tried to pay attention to the fine details that helped us narrow down the appropriate treatment. With the patient’s immunocompromised state and her need to initiate antiretroviral therapy, this meant we had to be aggressive in treatment but avoid unnecessary drug exposure.

Did all competitors share the same case?
Yes, all teams have the exact same case.

How many teams from across the United States participated initially?
There were 48 teams from pharmacy schools across the nation that competed this year. This was up from 33 teams who competed last year.

How did you feel when you won?
Surprised, to say the least! We were so excited when our names were called as the first place team, we both could not keep the smiles off of our faces. A record number of teams competed in this year’s competition, and all of the finalists were very knowledgeable. We are very humbled to receive this award and honored to bring the championship title to UCSF.

First-Generation Students Find Support at UCSF

Things are getting out of hand at UCSF -- in a good way! This is such a huge initiative -- especially for the School of Pharmacy. So many of our admitted students are first-generation college students. The support at the graduate-level (as the student continues their education) is so critical and necessary for success. I'm super excited that this has gotten off the ground, knowing our students get the support they need beyond our immediate office. With a campus-wide initiative, pharmacy students are able to connect with other students -- medical, dentistry, nursing, etc. -- with similar experiences.     
First-Generation College Students Find Support at UCSF

New Initiative Expands Services to Help Growing Community Adjust to Graduate-Level Study



When Tania Pacheco first arrived at UCSF, she was struck by the feeling that she had more in common with the campus restaurant workers and janitors than many of her fellow doctoral students.

A Mexican immigrant whose parents didn’t make it past high school, Pacheco was used to being an academic trailblazer in her family as a first-generation undergraduate student at California State University, Fresno. But that experience didn’t quite prepare her for the professional and social expectations of the graduate-level academic world.

“It was a complete culture shock to go from a place like Fresno State to UCSF,” said Pacheco, who’s pursuing her doctorate in medical sociology. “I realized right away that the demographics were vastly different than in my undergraduate studies – both race and class.”

Students like Pacheco inspired the creation of a support program at UCSF that helps first-generation college students connect with each other as well as mentors who’ve been through similar experiences. It started in 2008 with a small, monthly discussion group and has evolved into the First Generation College Student Initiative, part of Student Academic Affairs’ efforts under UCSF’s strategic plan to attract and support the most talented and diverse trainees in the health sciences.

“Financial, educational, emotional and professional support are crucial to the success of any student – but these are not a given for first-generation college students who are pioneers in the journey through higher education,” says Neesha Patel, PhD, who started the program as a staff psychologist for Student Health Services. This year, Patel was appointed director of the newly formed initiative, which will expand services and resources for first-generation students.
A Model for Graduate Schools

Nearly 30 percent of incoming freshmen in the US are the first generation in their families to attend college, according to a 2005 report by the National Center for Educational Statistics, the most recent data available that suggests the percentage could be even higher today.

While undergraduate schools offer an array of federally funded support programs to help this demographic, there are few resources at the graduate level, making UCSF’s initiative unique.

Patel argues that those resources are needed more than ever in graduate and medical schools, where first-generation college students find themselves even more in the minority.

Pacheco says something clicked for her when she attended the first discussion group during her second year at UCSF.

“It was this affirmation that something was needed, that there was a particular group of people like me that needed to encourage each other beyond just race and ethnicity, that there was really something about being a first-generation student that was different,” she said, noting that many of her friends who pursued graduate degrees at other schools ended up dropping out partly because of the lack of a support system.

A common theme in discussions among first-generation college students is the “imposter syndrome,” a feeling of inadequacy amid the high expectations for competency at a top-flight school like UCSF. Many come from low-income or working-class families who can’t provide any guidance for this new frontier.

“There’s a way in which, at the graduate level, you’re being socialized into a profession. There are cultures and norms. There are ideas of what professionalism means, there are ideas about how you relate to your advisors or faculty members, ideas about how people network in a particular profession,” Patel explained.

“Sometimes there’s pride about being first-generation, sometimes there’s worry,” she said. “There can be this fear of being somebody who doesn’t know, instead of a confidence that it’s OK to not know and that you belong.”

An Invisible Community Emerges
One of Patel’s main challenges when starting the support program was identifying the first-generation college students on campus – and the mentors who could best help them.

She was surprised by the overwhelming response as people from this “invisible community” came out of the woodwork, eager to participate. More than 100 UCSF leaders, faculty and postdocs who were the first generation to attend college answered an initial call to gather and brainstorm ways to reach out to students.

“I don’t think we would have the kind the support programs that we have today, or that we’re going to have, if leaders weren’t committed to supporting issues of diversity at UCSF, and if we didn’t have faculty and staff who weren’t really generous in their support of students and this community,” Patel said.

Mark Ansel, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, was one of the first to sign onto Patel’s list.

Raised by working-class parents in a Pennsylvania farming community, Ansel struggled at times to relate with his family about his academic pursuits. “They’re excited that you’re doing so well, but they want to know when you’re going to get a job,” he recalled.

He found professors during his undergraduate years who helped propel him through his academic career and was inspired to offer that help to UCSF students who reminded him of himself.

“When I’ve made it through something like this with mentors who’ve helped me along, I want to acknowledge those mentors but I also want to reach out and give a hand to the people behind me,” said Ansel, who’s participated in faculty panel discussions and one-on-one mentoring sessions.

Fulfilling UCSF’s Mission for Diversity
Another early fan of Patel’s program was Joseph Castro, PhD, vice chancellor of Student Academic Affairs, himself a first-generation college student. Raised by a single mother who came from a long line of farm workers in Mexico, the San Joaquin Valley native described his own first-generation experience as sometimes lonely and he built his own support network by joining student organizations.

When Patel initially approached him about launching a program, Castro says, “it was pretty easy for me to support it.”

“The first-generation-to-college area stuck out for me as needing attention because the number of first-generation students who are making it to universities like ours has increased,” Castro said. “That was a great thing to see, but it also begged the question of whether our support services were well-equipped to help them succeed.”

“We can’t rely upon the strategies that worked five or 10 years ago for any of our students, especially first-generation-to-college students. As Vice Chancellor, I work with my colleagues across the campus to make sure that we are carefully listening to students’ needs, and adjusting and adapting as necessary,” he added.

Under the new initiative, one of Patel’s first orders of business is reaching out to each school to get a better sense of the status of first-generation-to-college students at UCSF. For example, in a preliminary analysis, she found that more than 40 percent of incoming students in the School of Pharmacy are the first in their families to go to college.

Other goals for the initiative include establishing an online presence including a new Facebook community, enhancing visibility, collaborating with other campus units to enhance support programs and creating more opportunities for students and mentors to interact.

Now lecturing at Fresno State while finishing up her doctorate, Pacheco still tries to make it back to San Francisco for the first-generation college student events because of its impact on her UCSF experience.

“The fact that [the program is] established and supported by the university helps me know that the university does value diversity – not just in the glossy brochures, but in the allocation of resources and time into making sure people like first-generation students feel included,” she said.

Check out the First-Generation College Student Initiative

By Louise Chu

The 'Lab of the Future' Has Arrived!

The new UCSF Anatomy Learning Center opened this fall. I wanted to share this article then but was a bit hesitant (as I wanted to wait and see whether the center actually lived up to all the hype.) Well, it does! So I can't keep this a secret any longer... check it out. Wow! Wow! Wow!

New Anatomy Learning Center Prepares Next Generation of Clinicians

UCSF's 'Lab of the Future' Uses Latest Technology to Explore Human Body, Disease, and Treatment



The days of carrying hefty, 1,500-page Gray’s Anatomy textbooks may be long gone, but not much more has changed over the decades in how medical students learn anatomy — until now.

Students at UCSF have just begun studies in a new, state-of-the-art anatomy learning center equipped with interactive iPad textbooks, giant video displays and roving cameras that will allow them to observe, discover and come to understand, in a new way, the complex architecture of the human body.

Few other first-year medical students in the world will learn anatomy in such an interactive and clinically relevant way, said Kimberly Topp, PhD, PT, chair of the UCSF Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science and professor of anatomy.

“The exploration and understanding of human anatomy is one of the most basic elements to becoming a great doctor,” said Sam Hawgood, MBBS, dean of the UCSF School of Medicine and vice chancellor for medical affairs. “The UCSF Anatomy Learning Center will help the next generation of clinicians visualize the body with sophistication and detail.”

With the goal of creating a learning environment where trainees thrive, UCSF is among the nation's premier academic health centers at the forefront of educating health professionals in dentistry, medicine, nursing and pharmacy and the Graduate Division. It consistently ranks among the best universities nationwide and attracts the world's finest students.

The 6,000-square-foot space at the UCSF Parnassus campus will enable some 150 medical, physical therapy and pharmacy students, working with up to 30 cadavers, the opportunity to learn anatomy through dissection, aided by expert faculty and practicing physicians demonstrating clinical procedures.

Students will move from dissecting embalmed cadavers, to practicing medical and surgical procedures in fresh tissue, to interpreting ultrasound imaging and physical examination findings on standardized patient “actors” and each other. Tablet devices loaded with interactive textbooks, detailed graphics, quizzes and videos will facilitate such advanced teaching.

With the aid of six 72-inch, high-definition video monitors lining the walls and wirelessly connected to mobile cameras and the iPads, students will be able to interact with the learning material and observe fellow classmates’ discoveries without leaving their workstation. Teleconferencing in the Anatomy Learning Center will allow them to connect to a number of remote sites such as operating rooms, clinics, classrooms and the UCSF Kanbar Simulation Center to watch procedures and learn technique.

Medical students learning about the human brain in the dissection lab will be able to watch live surgeries with world-renowned neurosurgeons such as Mitchel Berger, MD, chair of the UCSF Department of Neurological Surgery. These same students will then be able to work inter-professionally, side by side with nurses and anesthesiologists to prepare their cadaver “patient” for the same surgical approach. Physical therapy students will learn arm anatomy in the dissection lab, and then move to the fresh tissue procedures lab to observe how nerves glide and stretch in response to limb movement.

Creating a Dynamic Learning Experience
“The UCSF Anatomy Learning Center brings together the best teaching methods and technologies under one roof,” said Jeffrey Laitman, PhD, president of the American Association of Anatomists. “While the structure of the human body hasn’t changed much over time, technology has, and UCSF is using these new tools to teach students in what I consider is the anatomy lab of the future.”

To accommodate the streaming of high-definition content, the new center is equipped with more than 25 wireless routers, the first network of its kind at the University.

The teaching elements offered in the new center aren’t all unique to UCSF. Many medical schools around the country have cameras, tablet devices and video displays. But UCSF may be the only one that blends all of these elements to create a dynamic, comprehensive teaching space, said Topp.

“The Anatomy Learning Center will allow students to become experts before they ever reach the clinic,” she said. “Students will be able to learn the anatomy relevant to procedures in several different simulated environments. At the end of the day, it’s really about delivering safe, high-quality care to the patient.”

The new center also will allow students to conduct dissections and common medical procedures on fresh tissue — including limbs and organs — giving them the chance to practice what they’ve learned on more realistic material. The insertion of airway tubes or intravenous lines, for example, requires that students be expert before they reach the higher-stakes environment of patient clinics.

The center is also equipped with ultrasound imaging machines and laparoscopic surgery towers enabling students to understand the relevance of anatomy while learning advanced clinical skills from practicing physicians.

The value is not lost on other medical students. “When I took anatomy just a few years ago, there were overhead vents blocking our view, fixed tables, and almost zero technology,” said Dominique Marie Suarez, a fourth-year UCSF medical student. “This lab is one that I want to spend more time in. I wish I could take anatomy all over again.”

“This lab is about imbuing a sense of wonder, respect and enlightenment in the minds of medical students,” said Hawgood, dean of one of the top-ranked medical schools in the United States. “By opening this one-of-a-kind learning lab, UCSF demonstrates its continued commitment to producing the next generation of health care leaders.”

Building the Lab With High-Tech Tools
Planning for the $7.5 million anatomy lab, supported by public and private funds, began in 2010 after the former space, a 60-year-old lab that had received only minor updates, was closed due to an outdated air supply system.

UCSF brought together students, educators, clinicians, designers and technologists to create a teaching space that would be inviting and adaptable, while also functional for cadaveric material and safe for faculty students. To accommodate such a challenging set of requests, many features had to be built custom for the space, including the air supply system, the cadaver tables and the technology network.

UCSF also incorporated a less practical, but spiritually important element to the design: a special memorial wall was installed where students can honor those who have donated their bodies to research through letters, poems, artwork and other remembrances.

The Anatomy Learning Center is targeted for silver LEED green-building rating and, as such, will be one of the few LEED-certified anatomy labs in the world. It was designed by the architectural firm Harley Ellis Devereaux, the firm that also designed UCSF’s Teaching and Learning Center, which opened in 2011.

By Kevin Eisenmann

Photos by Susan Merrell