Pharmacy Service Experiences

Here, there, and everywhere—that's where you'll find students from the Wegmans School of Pharmacy as they engage with communities across the region and around the globe.

Medical Service Trips

Since 2007, numerous pharmacy students and faculty members have traveled to El Salvador, working in health clinics in urban, rural, and coastal communities.

Since 2007, numerous pharmacy students and faculty members have traveled to El Salvador, working in health clinics in urban, rural, and coastal communities.

Imagine yourself in the heart of a distant land, part of a team bringing health-saving medication and counseling to thousands of patients. Envision becoming immersed in a culture other than your own while putting your training to the test.

Medical outreach has become a hallmark experience for Fisher pharmacy students. The annual outreach trip to El Salvador offers the chance to work in health clinics set up in urban, rural, and coastal communities throughout the country.

A bit closer to home is the School's trip to the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in northern Montana. Students receive an education in Native American medical and social traditions while participating in clinics, festivals, and other activities on the reservation.

Clinical Rotation Service Trips

Some clinical rotations may include a service trip, which allows students to experience pharmacy in underserved areas abroad. Throughout the academic year, students participate in medical service rotations in El Salvador, Honduras, India, and Tanzania.

Summer Service Trips

The Wegmans School of Pharmacy also offers summer service trips. International destinations may include El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Tanzania, and more. 

Day of Service

Students spreading gravel outside during their annual day of service.

Students spreading gravel outside during their annual day of service.

Beginning with Orientation and again each Spring, students, faculty, and staff from the School of Pharmacy trade in their white coats for work clothes, laptops for tools, and studies for chores during the School’s annual Day of Service.

The School of Pharmacy community, including students in the online pathway, join forces with several area organizations to assist with cleaning, painting, and landscaping, as well as tasks ranging from serving meals and stocking food pantry shelves to hosting a spirited game of bingo at a senior center.

Past service locations include:

  • American Cancer Society - Hope Lodge
  • CP Rochester
  • FoodLink
  • The Hindu Temple of Rochester
  • Mary's Place Refugee Outreach
  • St. Joseph's Neighborhood Center
  • Sisters of St. Joseph
  • The Vineyard

On Campus and in the Classroom

A commitment to service is evident within the School of Pharmacy from day one. First-year pharmacy students make time for service projects as part and parcel of their orientation experience. Several local organizations have been the beneficiaries of this mini-Day of Service, including medical hospitality houses, senior living and nursing homes, and a pediatric day-respite center.

A pharmacy student serves up ice cream and conversation for a resident of Episcopal Senior Life.

A pharmacy student serves up ice cream and conversation for a resident of Episcopal Senior Life.

In the classroom, approximately 30 percent of the School’s curriculum is devoted to experiential learning, mainly in the form of clinical rotations. Additionally, students have the opportunity to add community-engaged learning classes to their course load as electives. Introduction to Cancer: Biology and Treatment requires students to work on a project with a community agency addressing the care of cancer patients and their loved ones. The service component of Introduction to Medical Missions has students participating in short-term medical outreach trips internationally and throughout the greater Rochester region.

School of Pharmacy student organizations also spend part of each semester participating in local outreach efforts, including blood pressure screenings and health and wellness clinics.