Pharmacy students gain leadership experience through summer camp rotation

LAWRENCE — For fourth-year pharmacy students at the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, summer camp is more than an outreach effort — it serves as a distinctive Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) rotation that blends teaching, mentorship and program leadership.

Through the rotation, student pharmacists help plan and lead the School of Pharmacy’s summer camps, working directly with high school participants. The experience offers a rare opportunity to step outside traditional clinical environments and develop skills in education, communication and program coordination.

Students involved in the program consistently describe the rotation as both meaningful and professionally valuable. Many cite the opportunity to engage directly with prospective students by answering questions, leading activities and sharing personal experiences in pharmacy.

Erica Wang, a fourth-year student from Emporia, Kansas, emphasized the importance of early exposure to the profession. She said the camp gives students a clearer understanding of pharmacy while creating space for open conversations about college and healthcare careers.

Aiden Gregory, of Stanberry, Missouri, similarly noted the impact of working closely with campers, particularly in helping them understand the role pharmacists play in patient care. He described the experience as rewarding, especially when students became more engaged and developed a deeper appreciation for the profession.

The rotation also allows students to take on teaching roles not typically emphasized in clinical training. Thomas Wilder, a fourth-year student from Olathe, Kansas, said the experience offered valuable perspective on the challenges of educating others and strengthened his confidence in delivering presentations, skills he said are not as prominent in other rotations.

For Anna Ecoff, the camp provided an opportunity to connect foundational science with real-world applications. During the program, she introduced students to biochemistry concepts and demonstrated how those principles relate to medications, disease and pharmacy practice. She said watching students grow more curious and enthusiastic about science reinforced her interest in patient education and mentorship.

Students also gain experience managing logistics and working as a team to coordinate the program. Minh Hang, from Garden City, Kansas, highlighted the collaborative nature of the rotation while noting that additional support for administrative tasks could further strengthen future camps.

While the camp is designed to introduce high school students to pharmacy through hands-on learning and mentorship, organizers say the benefits extend equally to the student leaders.

By placing fourth-year students in leadership roles, the APPE rotation creates a dual learning environment where future pharmacists teach others and refine their own professional skills. The experience helps build confidence in communication, leadership and public engagement, all of which are essential to modern pharmacy practice.

Many participants use the rotation as a springboard to their next steps. Graduating students plan to pursue residencies across a range of specialties, including Indian Health Service, oncology, cardiology and hospital-based care.

As the program continues to evolve, student feedback remains central to its development, reinforcing the rotation’s role in preparing future pharmacists to educate, lead and inspire the next generation.

Pharmacy Summer Camp is held at both the Lawrence and Wichita campuses. The Lawrence camp is run by fourth year pharmacy students, while the Wichita camp is run by KU School of Pharmacy Ambassadors.