The University of Florida College of Pharmacy partnered with five other universities across the state to host the inaugural Florida Pre-Pharmacy Student Conference on March 7. The event, held at the UF College of Pharmacy’s Orlando campus, was a collaboration between the Florida Pharmacy Central Group and Walgreens. It provided pre-pharmacy students with opportunities to engage with faculty experts, explore diverse career paths in pharmacy and participate in hands-on learning experiences.
“We have worked as a collaborative group over the last few years, and we wanted to expand our reach to college students who are interested in pharmacy,” said Rigo Chaparro, a Pharm.D. recruiter for the UF College of Pharmacy and an organizer of the event. “This event was also developed to connect students with industry leaders, such as Walgreens, to provide a clearer picture of the pharmacy profession and the wide range of career opportunities available.”
More than 60 students attended the event, which opened in the auditorium with an engaging game of Family Feud that tested participants’ knowledge of the pharmacy profession. The program continued with welcoming remarks from Peter W. Swaan, Ph.D., M.Pharm., dean and professor at the UF College of Pharmacy, and Ramona Pramedass-Blom, Pharm.D., regional pharmacy talent acquisition partner at Walgreens.
Following a brief break, students returned for a panel discussion featuring seven pharmacists representing diverse areas of practice. Panelists shared insights into their career journeys, challenges they have encountered and perspectives on the future of the profession. The morning concluded with three breakout sessions covering pharmacogenomics and emerging fields, pathways into the pharmaceutical industry and a “day in the life” of a pharmacy student.
“Events like this are important because students are surrounded by peers who share similar interests,” Chaparro said. “It also creates valuable networking opportunities and connects them with a wide range of resources, including representatives from pharmacy programs across the state.”
Before lunch, students were divided into two groups that rotated between sessions. One group attended an admissions presentation that provided insights into the PharmCAS application process, strategies for strengthening resumes and personal statements, and tips for interview success. The second group participated in a hands-on pharmaceutical compounding activity in the skills lab, led by retired UF College of Pharmacy faculty member Janet Schmittgen, Pharm.D.
The day concluded with an interactive networking carousel designed to help students reflect on their experiences, build professional connections and identify next steps toward their pharmacy careers. Closing remarks were delivered by the Walgreens team, who shared additional insights into career pathways within the field.
“We are excited to continue growing participation in the conference each year,” Chaparro said. “We also look forward to expanding programming to include additional workshops and career development opportunities.”
UF College of pharmacy
Inaugural Florida Pre-Pharmacy Student Conference
