Nine students from the Class of 2026 entered community pharmacy and are excited to begin careers with CVS, Stop & Shop, Walgreens, and Americare Pharmacy. For Timothy Rodrigue, the path to community pharmacy was inspired by the pandemic. 

“I started working at CVS during the pandemic. It was at that time that I realized the impact pharmacists and community pharmacies have on patients’ wellbeing. I like the idea of becoming a trusted healthcare professional and building relationships in the community I work in.” 

Lucille Accetta, Chief Pharmacy Officer, CVS Health, shared her perspective on the value of this opportunity for the recent graduates. “Community pharmacy is one of the most dynamic and impactful career paths in health care today. It offers pharmacists a unique opportunity to serve as an accessible, front-line resource for patients while building trusted relationships that can truly influence health outcomes. As the profession continues to evolve, pharmacists are playing an increasingly important role in preventive care, chronic disease management, and patient education—practicing at the top of their education and training—and making a meaningful difference in the communities they serve.”  

 “My sister is also a community pharmacist,” Tim mentioned. “[She] has always been great at medication management and counseling. I want to be a friendly and approachable pharmacist that patients are comfortable with so that I too can have the opportunity to counsel on any questions they might have.” 

For Lauren Ampadu, the decision to pursue community pharmacy was driven by a desire to serve the people in her hometown. 

“I saw the need within my hometown community and decided to fill it. I wholeheartedly desire to be a skilled pharmacist and a philanthropist doing my best to diminish the power of disease and help patients regain control of their well-being. Community pharmacy allows me to do just this for my patients right where they are. This is my ‘Here am I; send me!’ era as described in Isaiah 6:8.” 

Timothy was grateful for the training the School provided and for the confidence it gave him.  

“From the first Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) being a community centered rotation to doing Student Health Fair projects and vaccine clinics we were exposed to hands on experience that allowed us to grow professionally. Pairing that with coursework and integrating counseling through Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) prepared us academically to handle different aspects of community pharmacy. 

 Preparing practice-ready community pharmacists is a responsibility the School embraces with purpose and intention. 

“Community pharmacists are often the most accessible healthcare professionals, serving as a trusted resource for patients throughout their lives,” says Philip Hirtcko, dean of the School. “Our responsibility is to ensure that graduates leave UConn not only with a strong clinical foundation, but also with the communication skills, empathy, and confidence needed to provide exceptional patient care from day one.” 

Lauren’s experience reflects the supportive environment Dean Hritcko describes. 

“From not understanding a lecture to becoming a Student Educational Assistant to help empower students to understand. My academic and professional transformation is a testament to the strength of the UConn Pharmacy community and the educational environment it provides. If I was able to do this, there is nothing that I cannot do. I am ready.”