by Alex Boesch, Student Public Relations Writer
October is national pharmacist month, and Cedarville University is doing its part to honor one of the leading professions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cedarville University School of Pharmacy is celebrating with a week dedicated to pharmacy student success.
Within national pharmacist month, October 17-23 is national pharmacist week. During this featured week, Cedarville’s school of pharmacy plans to feature three workshops, all of which highlight leading figures in the pharmaceutical industry. 
“We see this as an opportunity to spotlight the great things that are going on in this profession,” said dean of pharmacy Jeff Bates. “In the transition from COVID to where we are, our pharmacists made massive impacts on others’ lives. National pharmacist week is an important week for this.”
On Monday, October 17, pharmacy students will interact with representatives from healthcare and wellness industry leader Nutramax on campus, forging stronger research and internship partnerships in the pharmaceutical industry sector.
Tuesday, October 18, will bring the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacist’s Dr. Jannet Carmichael to campus to spend the day speaking to and mentoring students in a series of lectures on leadership and compelling forces impacting the care of patients.
“Dr. Carmichael is truly one of the nation's leaders in health care systems,” Bates noted.
On Thursday, October 20, a team of leaders from Rite Aid Pharmacy will collaborate with the university's career services personnel to prepare students for future job and residency applications.
COVID-19 highlighted the value pharmacists provide to their patients well beyond dispensing medication. They continue to be looked to for identifying patient care needs, especially for those with chronic illnesses.
“Cedarville pharmacy graduates are highly sought after, practice ready, team ready and missionally minded,” said Bates. “They are prepared to make the eternal impact.”
The Cedarville University School of Pharmacy has made strides toward deeper impact in recent years, including the opening of CedarCare Village Pharmacy, which operates as an extension of the university, caring well for the greater Cedarville community.
“As a CedarCare pharmacist and interim director during the COVID pandemic, I am grateful for the support and collaboration of Cedarville University,” said professor of pharmacy Thaddeus Franz. “COVID caused us to be creative and pool our resources together to serve our township, county and the greater Miami Valley community through testing and vaccination. I believe the Lord was honored in the care of our neighbors and much fruit has been produced because of our partnership.”
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 5,082 undergraduate, graduate, and dual enrolled high school students in more than 175 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio, recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, high graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and the #4 national ranking by the Wall Street Journal for student engagement. For more information about the University, visit cedarville.edu.