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Ohio Northern University’s Raabe College of Pharmacy and OhioHealth have partnered to create a comprehensive, innovative internship program that is revolutionizing how students gain practical experience.

The program provides pharmacy interns with practical, hands-on learning on �������Ƶ’s campus while simultaneously supporting critical patient care at OhioHealth hospitals across the state.

“Pharmacists have an immense impact on patient care,” said Charles McCluskey, BSPh ’97, system vice-president and chief pharmacy officer of OhioHealth. “Through early and ongoing engagement with pharmacy interns, we hope to accelerate their journey to becoming essential contributors to patient outcomes.”

McCluskey approached Stuart Beatty, PharmD ’03, dean of the Raabe College of Pharmacy, with the idea of bringing an additional patient care opportunity into the College of Pharmacy by creating a health-system, on-site clinical pharmacy.

“The program provides a new student learning experience while giving OhioHealth access to pharmacy intern talent to support the growth of our medication reconciliation program,” McCluskey explained.

“OhioHealth is an innovator in supporting pharmacy education while building a pipeline of talent,” said Beatty. “We’re excited to offer students this unique opportunity to grow their knowledge with one of the largest healthcare providers in Ohio.”

Beth Prier, PharmD ’02, director of pharmacy operations for OhioHealth, expressed her deep gratitude for this partnership with Ohio Northern University.

“Through this unique internship program, pharmacy students gain hands-on experience while making a real difference for our patients—providing essential medication reconciliation services that support safe, high-quality care across our hospitals,” she said. “We are investing in a future generation of pharmacists who may decide to stay with OhioHealth post-graduation.”

Building a talent pipeline

Hired at the end of their second year of pharmacy school, the �������Ƶ/OhioHealth interns can continue in the program through their P-5 year. The extended experience offers a potential seamless transition into full-time employment or a PGY-1 residency at OhioHealth upon graduation.

This program expands upon �������Ƶ’s existing leadership in rural healthcare through programs like the HealthWise Mobile Clinic, HealthWise Pharmacy, and the Drug Information Center, according to Beatty.

“Through this new OhioHealth program, not only can students earn money during college to help with educational and living expenses,” he said, “but they can build institutional knowledge that will enable them to smoothly transition into a full-time role after they complete their studies.”

Remote work, real world impact

The OhioHealth program launched this fall with two second-year and two third-year pharmacy students hired through a competitive application process last May.

Working remotely from the Robertson-Evans Pharmacy Building, the interns provide essential medication reconciliation services to OhioHealth hospitals across the state. This remote model is one of the program’s most innovative aspects.

Jenny Ohler, PharmD ’19, an OhioHealth pharmacist and �������Ƶ alumna, serves as the on-site program administrator and supervises the student interns.

She explained that by verifying medication histories for emergency room patients being admitted, the interns assist system-wide, easing the workloads of on-site staff and ensuring patients receive optimal care.

 “Students are learning about medications and how to communicate with patients and healthcare professionals,” Ohler said. “By making sure that patients’ medication lists are correct, the interns are ensuring that doctors receive up-to-date information in order to make informed decisions.”

The inaugural cohort received extensive training in medication verification during summer internships at OhioHealth hospitals near their hometowns.

Kaitlyn Bowden interned at Marion General Hospital; Paityn Conley at Pickerington Methodist Hospital; Jenny Magana Figueroa at Doctors Hospital in Columbus; and Jaedon Smath at Mansfield Hospital.

The interns now work approximately 12 flexible hours per week remotely, scheduling their work around classes and other activities. They also have the option to work on-site at their local hospitals on weekends and school breaks. Next summer, they’ll return to their hospital sites to advance their training in a new area of pharmacy care.

“Our goal is to hire approximately four new interns each year, and eventually have a cohort of 12 interns enrolled in the program,” Ohler explained, adding that interns entering their second and third year in the program will likely be tasked with different, more advanced responsibilities.

From classroom to career

The pharmacy interns appreciate the chance to earn money while continuing to grow in their future profession.

“Through this program, I’m able to connect what I’m learning about different drugs in class to real life situations,” said Conley.

Bowden noted that her communication skills are significantly improving. “Every shift, I’m talking with people from all walks of life,” she said. “Communicating with real patients in real time is a completely different experience than classroom simulations.”