KU News Release

KU pharmacy students visit 16 independent pharmacies in Kansas

LAWRENCE — Eleven members of the student chapter of the National Community Pharmacists Association at the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy visited 16 independent pharmacies in central and southwest Kansas during their semester break.

KU Pharmacy Dean Ken Audus and Associate Dean Gene Hotchkiss accompanied the KU-NCPA members on the Jan. 9-11 road trip as part of a KU initiative to enhance student awareness of the career opportunities within Kansas in independent pharmacy.

The KU-NCPA Student Chapter is a professional pharmacy student organization that promotes independent pharmacies as a career pathway option for pharmacy students at KU. Established in 1998, KU’s chapter has been honored as the national Chapter of the Year by the NCPA parent organization at their annual meeting four times in the past 10 years and was first runner-up in 2007.

Hotchkiss noted that KU’s chapter is an innovative organization that has implemented and participated in several professional development programs and community service projects. One such initiative is to organize road trips each academic year to conduct on-site visits with progressive independent pharmacy practitioners throughout the state.

“Our objective is to establish a relationship and network between pharmacy students who have an interest in a career as an independent pharmacy entrepreneur and/or staff pharmacist, and independent pharmacists in Kansas,” Audus said.

KU-NCPA students have participated in more than 100 visits to independent pharmacies from Hiawatha to Hugoton, Atwood to Baxter Springs and destinations in between.

Hotchkiss and Dennis Grauer, assistant professor in pharmacy practice, are the NCPA student chapter co-advisers.

The students and their deans visited pharmacies and pharmacists in:
• Anthony: Irwin-Potter Drug, Joe Brummer
• Cimarron: Clark Pharmacy, Jim Coast and Mike Coast
• Coldwater: Main Street Pharmacy, Tony and Lisa Gales
• Ellsworth: F&M Drug, Barbara Kennedy; and Seitz Drug, Terry Kepka;
• Garden City: Plaza Pharmacy, Robin Schenk
• Hugoton: Bloodhart Drug, Bret Horyna
• Kingman Drug, Merlin McFarland, Kingman
• Kinsley Pharmacy, Brad Eustace
• LaCrosse: Barrows Drug, Richard Barrows
• Lakin: J&J Pharmacy, Jennifer Nemechek
• Meade: Bachman Pharmacy, Angela Bachman
• Medicine Lodge: Hibbard Drug, John Hagood
• Ness City: G&L Drug, Greg and Lisa Flax
• Scott City Pharmacy, Jon Brunswig
• Ulysses: Grant County Drug, Jeff Menzie.

The KU-NCPA students participating the recent road trip are upper-level students in KU’s Doctor of Pharmacy of PharmD program, a six-year professional degree similar to a law or medical degree. They are listed here with their hometown, parent names, high schools and previous degrees.

ANDERSON COUNTY
From Kincaid 66039
Emily Colby Adams, fifth-year PharmD student, daughter of Thomas and Sandra Adams; associate’s degree from Allen County Community College in Iola and a graduate of Crest Senior High School in Colony

COMANCHE COUNTY
From Coldwater 67029
Meghan Breanna Lem, fourth-year PharmD student, daughter of Mark and Becky Sherman; bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University at Manhattan and an associate’s degree from Hutchinson Community College, she is a graduate of South Central High School

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Olathe 66062
Clark Daniel Kebodeaux, fourth-year PharmD student, son of Craig and Gay Kebodeaux; graduate of Olathe East High School

MCPHERSON COUNTY
From Canton 67248
April Diane Westbrook, fourth-year PharmD student, daughter of Marvin and Darla Westbrook; graduate of Caton-Galva High School

MIAMI COUNTY
From Osawatomie 66064
Clint Alan Freeman, fourth-year PharmD student, son of Diana Neal; graduate Osawatomie Senior High School graduate

MORRIS COUNTY
From Council Grove 66846
Molly Ann Aldrich, fourth-year PharmD student, daughter of Jim and Connie Aldrich; graduate of Council Grove High School

NESS COUNTY
From Ness City 67560
Melissa Sue Rufenacht, fifth-year PharmD student and a junior in allied health, daughter of Benjie and Randae Rufenacht; graduate of Ness City High School

Brett Daniel Stoecklein, fourth-year PharmD student, son of Ron and Karen Stoecklein; graduate of Ness City High School

SHERMAN COUNTY
From Goodland 67735
Ashley Jo Hallagin, fifth-year PharmD student, daughter of Rollie and Jean Hallagin; graduate of Goodland High School

SMITH COUNTY
From Athol 66932
Chase Wilson Rice, fifth-year PharmD student, son of Michael and Dianna Rice; associate’s degree from Hutchinson Community College and a graduate of Smith Center Jr.-Sr. High School

WICHITA COUNTY
From Leoti 67861
Tyson Wade Mullen, fifth-year PharmD student, son of Kevin and Kathy Mullen; 2005 associate’s degree from Hutchinson Community College and a graduate of Wichita County High School

-30-

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.