Summer Pharmacy Academy
St. Louis College of Pharmacy
4588 Parkview Place * St. Louis, MO 63110 * www.stlcop.edu
Contact: Brad Brown
Director, Public Relations
(314) 691-3130 – Cell
e-mail: brad.brown@stlcop.edu
June 4, 2012
Inaugural Summer Program for St. Louis City Schools
Introduction to Career in Pharmacy
(St. Louis)- For the first time, St. Louis College of Pharmacy will open its doors to middle-school students for the inaugural Summer Pharmacy Academy. The College, in coordination with St. Louis Public Schools, will hold a week of activities for seventh- and eighth-grade students from McKinley Classical Junior Academy beginning today, June 4.
The program is designed to teach 30 select students about the profession of pharmacy and give them hands-on, lab experience in compounding medicines. Students will also take part in classroom sessions to learn firsthand the role that pharmacists play in health care.
The program originated from a conversation between College President Dr. John A. Pieper and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kelvin Adams. "This is an exciting first step in what I know will be a long and productive relationship between St. Louis College of Pharmacy and St. Louis Public Schools," says Dr. Pieper. "I am confident that the week the students spend on our campus will open their minds to explore rewarding careers in pharmacy and aspects of health care."
Students will learn about drug interactions; how prescription and over-the-counter medicines affect the body; medical terminology and abbreviations; and how medicine dosages are calculated. Students will also take part in creating their own lip balm and calamine lotion.
"The middle school Summer Pharmacy Academy will give the participants an opportunity to be exposed to pharmacy at an early age," says Freddie Wills, director of diversity at the College. "Engaging students through early awareness programs affords them a chance to learn about pharmacy in an academic environment. The goal is to introduce pharmacy and peak an interest in the profession for the students."
Media Availability: Friday, June 8 at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Jones Hall at St. Louis College of Pharmacy
What: 30 students wearing their lab coats and safety glasses learning how to use a mortar and pestle to compound medications used as topical ointments (lip balm, calamine lotion). Interviews will be available starting at 8:30 a.m. with Dr. Pieper and others. Class begins at 9 a.m.
Parking: St. Louis College of Pharmacy garage at 4531 Children’s Place 63110
About St. Louis College of Pharmacy: Founded in 1864, St. Louis College of Pharmacy is one of the oldest and largest colleges of pharmacy in America. The College admits students directly from high school and integrates the liberal arts and sciences with a six-year professional curriculum leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Approximately 1,250 students attend, and more than 72 percent of practicing pharmacists in the St. Louis metropolitan area are alumni.
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