Guest contribution by Jennifer Ngo, Doctor of Pharmacy student and vice-president of the Colorado Student Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists. In this role, Ngo and CSSHP host a fauclty-student dinner series at various restaurants around Denver. This fall, the group held five dinners with the goal of fostering relationships.
One of the best things about being a Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CU Pharmacy) student is the endless leadership opportunities and the support that the faculty gives you. We have access to a multitude of renowned clinicians and amazing student organizations. One of the many student organizations at CU Pharmacy is the Colorado Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists (CSSHP), which is Colorado’s student chapter of the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists (ASHP). I serve as the current vice president of this student organization and organize the Faculty Dinner Series, a student initiative aimed at fostering deeper connections between students and faculty/ residency program directors (RPDs).
My vice president role allows me to improve my organizational skills, leadership skills, and expands my networking. Additionally, I also attend dinners and have an amazing time there as well! During these dinners, I get to connect with faculty and RPDs on a deeper level. I am interested in a post-graduate residency and being able to ask questions and connecting with faculty and RPDs is invaluable as it provides a perspective that can be found nowhere else.
CSSHP-ASHP created this series in 2015 with a desire to create informal opportunities for students to engage with their professors outside the traditional classroom setting. By sharing meals and conversations, the series aims to build a sense of community, enhance mentorship, and encourage open dialogue about academic and professional experiences. The student-faculty relationship at CU Pharmacy can be described as mutual respect and open communication. Faculty members are approachable and dedicated to student success, often going beyond traditional teaching methods to provide personal mentorship. CU Pharmacy has a nurturing mentorship environment as faculty members and RPDs are committed to supporting student development via personalized guidance, career advice, and research opportunities. Mentorship and networking are essential in building a well-rounded student. CU Pharmacy ensures that students feel valued and supported enhancing their student experience.
The Faculty Dinner Series aids in furthering the mentorship culture that the CU Pharmacy program is committed to. Having the amazing opportunity to organize and attend the Faculty Dinner Series has given me invaluable insight and mentorship that encourages me to be a successful pharmacist.