Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Pharmacy

Rootstown, Ohio

Class Size: Around 75

Founded: 2005

The Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) College of Pharmacy graduates pharmacists who are qualified, culturally competent, and increasingly reflective of the community they serve.

“An innovative pharmacy workforce that is diverse provides opportunities for patients to encounter providers with shared experiences, a common background, and unique understanding of the nuances that influence health decisions,” Charles Taylor, PharmD, vice president of academic affairs and dean of the NEOMED College of Pharmacy, told Pharmacy Times.

The university is located in a rural community, but the campus is less than 40 minutes away from Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown, and Canton, allowing for exposures to diversity in culture.

Two big components of NEOMED are its focus on interprofessionalism and its connections with “outstanding” partners, Dr. Taylor said, naming the Cleveland Clinic in particular. He noted that these experiences with partners prepare graduates to practice pharmacy at the top of their licenses.

Dr. Taylor also showed pride in the school’s preparation of students to pursue postgraduate training in residency programs.

“Faculty identified a student need and designed a Residency Track Program to assist students who wanted to pursue this path,” he explained. “Since its launch, our placement rate in PGY1 [postgraduate year 1] programs has consistently been above the national average, with a range of 76% to 90%.

Dr. Taylor further explained what prospective students could expect at the NEOMED College of Pharmacy.

Q: What is the teaching style or philosophy?

A: The college of pharmacy has a truly integrated, interprofessional curriculum, making it one of its most distinctive assets.

The philosophy of our teaching model is driven by our desire to foster the development of characteristics that people want to see in their pharmacists: competence, curiosity, communication, caring, character, and community—also known at NEOMED as our 6 Cs.

Faculty embraces technology-enhanced strategies to support students across multiple learning styles. NEOMED uses an extensive educational network to design pharmacy practice experiences throughout Northeast Ohio, allowing students to experience health care in a variety of settings, from major teaching hospitals to community-based centers.

NEOMED also weaves a simulated program into the curriculum. This is when standardized patients are trained to roleplay or portray a patient with a medical condition. Embedding culturally relevant components into simulated, as well as didactic coursework, is a priority.

A: NEOMED students have been actively involved in our community with events that have local, state, and national impact.

Student clubs and organizations provide support in the Open M Clinic for underserved communities, the statewide drug take-back programs, and Script Your Future. Several of these student-driven programs have received state and national awards and recognition for their efforts.

Q: What opportunities do students have for internships or co-ops?

A: The Northeast Ohio area has multiple markets (Cleveland, Akron, Canton, and Youngstown) where our pharmacy students can pursue enriching internship opportunities.

Within our region, the opportunities range from experiences at small, independently owned pharmacies to large, institutional operations like the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. There are also opportunities with compounding pharmacies, infusion companies, and everything else you can imagine.

Q: What advice do you have for students who will graduate this year?

A: Expect a bright, busy, and productive career. The role of the pharmacist in the health care arena continues to grow and expand every day. Take time to identify the opportunities and participate as a change agent and leader.