From Classroom to City Hall: Student Pharmacists Advocate for Public Health at City Council Meetings.

Publication date: Jul 15, 2025

This study explores how student pharmacists engage and collaborate with local government and community stakeholders to deliver public health education, evaluates their performance in advocacy efforts, and examines their reflective perspectives on the learning experience and subsequent professional growth. A collaborative partnership between the School of Pharmacy and the local city council was established to empower students to drive change and enhance community involvement. The City Council invited student pharmacists to deliver quarterly presentations on topics addressing community needs. Under faculty guidance, student groups presented public health topics at City Council meetings with council members and the public. Each presentation included a question-and-answer session and a faculty-led debriefing. Faculty assessed student performance in community education and advocacy using validated rubric. Additionally, students’ reflections were qualitatively analyzed using an inductive approach. Between December 2019 and June 2024, 46 students delivered presentations on various public health topics at ten City Council meetings. These presentations addressed opioid overdose, COVID-19 response, low vision support, mental health promotion, vaccination outreach, and safe needle disposal. Student reflections highlighted key themes including public health education, community advocacy, engagement with local government, the impact of pharmacy practice, and professional growth. Student pharmacists gained valuable experience engaging with the City Council, representing the profession, advocating for public health, and making positive impact in the community. Such partnerships with local government can serve as a model for broader integration in pharmacy education.

Semantics

Original Article