IPhO News

Megan Kirkpatrick
2021-22 IPhO National Student Officer, Internship Director
The Ohio State University
Class of 2022
Incoming Visiting Scientist Fellow with Eli Lilly and Company

My name is Megan Kirkpatrick, and I am the current National Student Officer – Internship Director with IPhO. I will graduate in May 2022 with my PharmD from The Ohio State University and will be an incoming Visiting Scientist Fellow with Eli Lilly and Company!

I knew I was interested in industry from my first year of pharmacy school but did not know how many unique areas existed within industry. That is where IPhO stepped in and started to fill the gaps through my local chapter. I did not want my involvement to stop at a local level, as I knew there were more opportunities to explore on a national level with IPhO. I applied and was fortunate enough to land the NSO role I currently hold.

This NSO role has not only provided me numerous industry transferable and leadership skills but has also provided me a vast network of industry professionals and like-minded students to foster life-long relationships with throughout my career. My IPhO National Student Leadership position was crucial during my fellowship interviews, as I found myself answering many questions based on my experiences within IPhO. I highly recommend an NSO/RSO role to any student interested in pursuing a future in industry!

THE 2022-23 NSO/RSO APPLICATION IS OPEN - APPLY NOW!

Ashley Stock
IPhO National Student Officer, Chapter Network Management
University of Kansas
Class of 2022

Hi Everyone! My name is Ashley Stock, and I am the current National Student Officer for Chapter Network Management with IPhO. I graduate in May 2022 with my PharmD and MBA from the University of Kansas, and it was about half-way through my first year of pharmacy school that I became interested in industry. That year, I was checking out different career options for pharmacists and nothing really felt like a match for me. Then, after attending an IPhO meeting at KU, I finally found my fit in pharmacy.

Christopher Ramdass
Wilkes University, PharmD Candidate 2022
Incoming GSK Medical Affairs Fellow

What did you learn as you went through the interview process?
Three things:

• You are most definitely interviewing the company also. You can tell by how you carried yourself in an interview if you felt comfortable with a company.
• Evaluate the fellows and how they handle the interview. You can learn a lot from the fellows in terms of their experiences, their growth, their communication skills, etc.
• Be sure to stay organized at every stage of the process and with each company you are speaking to.

Melanie Lam
MCPHS University, Boston
Class of 2022
IPhO Regional Student Officer: Cycle 2021-2022

How did you become interested in industry?
I’m pursuing a career in the biopharmaceutical industry because I find the opportunity to help facilitate innovative solutions in healthcare and drive the development of transformative medications incredibly fulfilling. I aspire to leverage my specialized clinical training as a medication expert at a medication company. It is beyond exciting to me to see what PharmDs bring to the table at these companies and how much we contribute to medical strategy in collaboration with other healthcare professionals.

Maria Reji
Summer 2021 IPhO Virtual Intern
Midwestern University College of Pharmacy

Why did you apply for the IPhO Virtual Flex Internship?
I applied to the IPhO Virtual Flex Internship because I knew this internship would be the perfect opportunity to get an inside look into the industry realm and to strengthen the leadership skills I have learned as a student leader at my university's local chapter. I joined IPhO in my first quarter of pharmacy school and have loved every second of being involved in IPhO, from being an engaged member and a PS-1 liaison and president-elect in my university chapter. Since then, I knew I wanted to be involved with IPhO on a national level, and this internship seemed like a wonderful opportunity to enhance my involvement with IPhO.

Lexie Villariasa
IPhO National Student Officer, Professional Development
St. John's University
Class of 2022

Hello everyone, my name is Lexie Villariasa and I am a student at St. John's University with an anticipated graduation year of 2022. I am the National Student Officer, Professional Development for the 2021-2022 cycle where I recently helped to plan our Annual Meeting. I became interested in pursuing a career within the pharmaceutical industry during my pre-pharmacy years. Like most students, I had never heard of industry pharmacy before and was only aware of the community and hospital routes.

Yumena Kawasaki
P2 Student and Fall 2020 IPhO Virtual Intern
Pacific University

Why did you apply for the IPhO Virtual Flex Internship?

Applying for the IPhO virtual flex internship was my chance to explore industry since my school does not have many industry opportunities. I thought it was a great chance to take the skills I learned as Director of Social Media and Marketing at my local chapter and further discover my strengths in industry. Being a beginner in industry pharmacy, I felt that this internship could assist me in discovering my career goals and inspire new aspirations.

Name: Tychell Branchcomb
School: University of Florida–Gainesville, Class of 2022
Position: Director, Finances & Fundraising
Hometown: Fredericksburg, VA

Tychell, a University of Florida 2022 graduate, explains how she is being intentional with her time in pharmacy school. She was a contributor on a committee to get her chapter's VIP Case Competition developed into an elective course and approved for credit in the fall. Hear how she's getting involved and optimizing her chances of securing a fellowship upon graduation.

Are you a current pharmacy student interested in sharing a story? Click here to let us know!

Name: Leslie Ibenana
School: Texas Southern University, Class of 2022
Position: Director, Professional Programming
Hometown: Baltimore, MD

"I was fortunate to be a part of the HBCU Industry Panel Webinar. That experience was really great in not only giving representation but showing that there is a network of people that look like me who are making an impact in the industry space. Having that image is enough to really ignite a flame in students and help them in pursuing that career and knowing that it is possible."

Are you a current pharmacy student interested in sharing a story? Click here to let us know!

Name: Chidinma Onyia
School: University of Colorado, Class of 2022
Position: Director, Social Media & Marketing (Past)
Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas

At the end of an IPhO meeting, the guest speaker mentioned that his company was hiring interns. Chidinma used it as an opportunity to introduce herself and through this networking experience, she secured an industry internship! In her video, she shares valuable advice for students looking to land a role in industry based on what's working well for her.

Are you a current pharmacy student interested in sharing a story? Click here to let us know!

Name: Andrew Ejiofor
School: Hampton University, Class of 2022
Position: Director, Professional Programming
Hometown: Raleigh, NC

Witnessing his father's battle with cancer inspired Andrew to pursue a career in industry. His goal: to ensure that medications are safe and effective for all patients in need. Hear about his experience and what he's doing to build his path to industry.

Are you a current pharmacy student interested in sharing a story? Click here to let us know!

Jennifer and Jason, two IPhO student leaders, teamed up to share what sparked their interest in industry, how they made the most of internships and externships during pharmacy school, and how their IPhO involvement is supporting them as they pursue an industry career.

Are you a current pharmacy student interested in sharing a story? Click here to let us know!

Even though Robert enjoyed his one-on-one patient contact while working in retail pharmacy, he knew he wanted to make a broader impact on health. So for him, the pharmaceutical industry feels like the perfect place to do just that.

Listen in as Robert shares his story, and some tips for maximizing your time in pharmacy school to help advance your industry career!

Are you a current pharmacy student interested in sharing a story? Click here to let us know!

Hi everyone, my name is Reba Doohkie and I attend the University of Florida College of Pharmacy (go gators!) with an anticipated graduation year of 2021. I am currently the South Atlantic Region Regional Student Officer for IPhO.

During my first year at UF, I attended my first IPhO meeting and decided to get involved as an active member. I quickly discovered that industry is the career path for me. I began my second year as the Director of Communications and stayed involved the year after. By attending their meetings with guest speakers and participating in the VIP Case Competition, I was able to learn more about non-traditional pharmacist roles. What interests me the most about a career in industry is that there are many options to choose from, yet they are all connected by a common goal to deliver affordable medications to patients in need.

A unique internship opportunity changed Nicole's career interests and she never looked back!

She describes what drew her to pursuing an industry career and why she believes pharmacists are so well suited for industry roles.

Listen in as Nicole shares some tips for maximizing your time in pharmacy school to help advance your industry career!

Are you a current pharmacy student interested in sharing a story? Click here to let us know!

Greetings, my name is Adesola Adenote. I am a member of the Class of 2022 at Texas Southern University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and I am also our IPhO chapter's incoming president.

During my first year in the pharmacy program, I knew that I wanted to pursue an industry focused career. However, I believed it was important that I learned more about different fields of pharmacy to enhance my understanding of the importance of the role an industry pharmacist plays. A career in industry would allow me to utilize the knowledge and skills gained from the clinical and retail sides of pharmacy and allow me to be a well-rounded industry pharmacist. I would be able to challenge myself to view matters from all angles.

Not familiar with the IPhO VIP Case Competition? You should be! It's what inspired Michael to pursue the pharmaceutical industry. It opened his eyes to a whole new side of regulatory affairs.

Listen in as Michael shares some tips for maximizing your time in pharmacy school to help advance your industry career!

Are you a current pharmacy student interested in sharing a story? Click here to let us know!

For Michel, a Philadelphia native, helping his parents safely take their medications and working with cancer patients in a hospital inspired him to pursue industry pharmacy. He knew from a young age that it was the career path for him.

Now, he is doing everything he can to make his dream a reality.

Listen in as Michel shares some tips for maximizing your time in pharmacy school to help advance your industry career!

Are you a current pharmacy student interested in sharing a story? Click here to let us know!

Growing up in a family of healthcare professionals, Allen always knew he wanted a career that positively impacted patient care. His passion for evidence-based science meant that pharmacy was a natural choice. Now, currently in his final year of pharmacy school at MCPHS University, he is looking forward to APPE rotations in medical information and drug information.

He describes his time in pharmacy school as a "roller coaster"—a long but extremely rewarding ride.

Listen in as Allen shares some tips for maximizing your time in pharmacy school to help advance your industry career!

Are you a current pharmacy student interested in sharing a story? Click here to let us know!