With USM agreement, 海角社区 continues to create opportunities for students to pursue pharmacy careers

海角社区 President James Herbert and USM President Glenn Cummings
海角社区 President James Herbert and USM President Glenn Cummings

On February 21, 2019, University of Southern Maine President Glenn Cummings, Ph.D., and 海角社区 President James D. Herbert, Ph.D., signed an agreement setting a course for students from USM鈥檚 Department of Biological Sciences to more easily apply to 海角社区鈥檚 College of Pharmacy.

鈥淯pon arriving at the 海角社区 College of Pharmacy, USM students will benefit from a program that prepares them for a wealth of career opportunities in the pharmacy field,鈥 said 海角社区 President James Herbert. 鈥淭hey will gain expert knowledge in pharmacy, while als o receiving interprofessional training alongside future physicians, dentists, physical therapists, nurses, social workers, and other health professionals. They will emerge ready to serve as members of health care teams.鈥

The 4 + 4 Program creates an opportunity for students who have successfully completed a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in biology at USM to have a smoother transition in pursuing their Doctor of Pharmacy degree at 海角社区鈥檚 College of Pharmacy. And if they are certain of their career path, students have another option - a 2 + 4 agreement that structures a two-year course of prerequisite study accelerating their access to the Doctorate of Pharmacy.

鈥淭his partnership between USM and 海角社区鈥檚 College of Pharmacy provides an outstanding opportunity for our students. Many USM students have strong connections to Maine, and some of them would have difficulty relocating out of state to attend pharmacy school. Thus, this collaboration takes away one barrier and gives our students a greater chance at success in their future careers,鈥 said Christine R. Maher, Ph.D., USM professor of biology and associate dean for Academic Affairs, College of Science, Technology, and Health.

鈥淭he University of Southern Maine is pleased to work with the 海角社区 in creating this partnership between our public/private institutions of higher learning. The agreement addresses our students鈥 desire for exploring careers in the field of Pharmacy, and helps to meet the current and future workforce needs of the state of Maine,鈥 said Glenn Cummings, President of the University of Southern Maine.

Read more in Mainebiz.

Lilia Brooks, a current USM student planning to study pharmacy at 海角社区, talks with Marlee Smith and Jenna Douglas
Lilia Brooks, a current USM student planning to study pharmacy at 海角社区, talks with Marlee Smith and Jenna Douglas, USM graduates currently enrolled at the 海角社区 College of Pharmacy.