UAMS College of Pharmacy Hosts 35 Students at Summer Camp

By Holland Doran

pharmacy camp Maggi Roberts

UAMS Pharmacy Camp participant Maggi Roberts of Magnolia experiments with a syringe during a compounding lab session.

Tonya Presley, a high school student from Huntsville, can now explain what it takes to make this common item after she slipped into a lab coat and went behind the scenes in one of UAMS’ compounding labs to make lip balm and other household items such as cuticle cream and scented soap.

“The compounding lab was a really cool experience,” Presley said. “It was interesting to make simple things that I use all the time. I had no idea how many ingredients go in lip balm.”

Presley was one of 35 juniors and seniors who participated in the 7th annual UAMS College of Pharmacy summer Pharmacy Camp, where they were immersed in their first complex laboratory experience.

“The compounding lab is always one of the more popular activities we do at pharmacy camp,” said Eddie Dunn, Pharm. D., associate professor of pharmacy practice. “This is just one aspect we expose them to during the week. We strive to give them a taste of everything that they would experience as a pharmacy student. We hope this will encourage them to continue to pursue education in pharmacy and ultimately a pharmacy career.”

UAMS pharmacy camp Storm

Storm Archambeau of DeWitt makes soap during pharmacy camp.

The camp, which ran June 9-14, is designed for high school juniors and seniors interested in learning more about the challenging career pathway opportunities in the pharmacy profession. Participants included 31 from Arkansas and four from Texas and Missouri.

“It’s really encouraging to see these students take an interest in the health professions field,” said Christel Cater, UAMS College of Pharmacy recruiting specialist. “This camp provides the opportunity to light a fire in these students to become our next generation of pharmacists.”

UAMS pharmacy camp tonya and lauren

Tonya Presley of Huntsville and Lauren Gotte of Cherokee Village examine products made by UAMS pharmacy students.

“It’s really encouraging to see these students take an interest in the health professions field,” said Christel Cater, UAMS College of Pharmacy recruiting specialist. “This camp provides the opportunity to light a fire in these students to become our next generation of pharmacists.”

Camp participants stay in campus housing, hear presentations about preparation for pharmacy school, career opportunities, professional conduct and ethics and interviewing and communication skills. They also visit pharmacies, learn about research and experience pharmaceutical compounding and monitoring for hypertension, diabetes and asthma. The camp incorporates hands-on training and lectures by College of Pharmacy faculty with a variety of social activities.