BESt Program Teaches Students About Pharmacy
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 11, 2012
High School Students Spend Summer Learning About Health Care
(St. Louis)- The BESt Pharmacy Summer Institute begins on June 18. This is the fifth year of the program, which is a partnership between Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Express Scripts and St. Louis College of Pharmacy. This year, 52 high school students were selected from a large group of applicants to take part in six weeks of classes. The mission of the program is to expose and prepare local multicultural students to careers in health care.
Students, ranging in age from incoming high school sophomores to seniors, will be exposed to pharmacy and what it takes to succeed in college. Classes taught by College faculty members will be offered in mathematics, science, English, and ACT/SAT preparation. A group of 17 students preparing to enter their senior year of high school will live in the College Residence Hall for the duration of the program, immersing them in the College environment.
The program co-directors are Isaac Butler, Pharm.D. of Express Scripts and Steven Player, Pharm.D., MBA of Barnes-Jewish Hospital. All past participants in the BESt program have been accepted to college- 93 percent have pursued a degree in health care, and 65 percent have pursued a career in pharmacy.
The application process for next year’s program will open in January.
About St. Louis College of Pharmacy: Founded in 1864, St. Louis College of Pharmacy is the fourth oldest and 10th largest college of pharmacy in America. The College integrates the liberal arts and sciences with a professional curriculum and introductory and advance practice experiences where students can develop expertise and become leaders in the field and their communities. Beginning in 2014, the seven-year curriculum leading to a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree will also include a Bachelor of Science. The college admits students directly from high school and accepts transfer students and graduates from other colleges and universities. More than 1,250 students are currently enrolled from 25 states and several countries. Additional information is available at www.stlcop.edu.
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