Pharm Forward

March Hours: 12 Cumulative Semester hours: 42 I am thrilled to be writing this with only four weeks to go. We wrapped up all of our exam-based classes this week (except for Cell Control) - feels like a huge milestone. I have two presentations left, but otherwise, the program is really winding down. For community service this month, I again cooked and delivered meals to our local community fridges. One night, while I was dropping off food, I arrived at the same time someone was picking some up. We talked briefly, and it was clear how much even a meal or two could make a difference for them. I think when people picture food insecurity, they often imagine individuals who are unhoused or living in shelters. But the reality is much broader, and often much less visible. It might be someone who has stable housing but missed a paycheck due to illness or an unexpected expense. I think struggle can take many forms, and we don’t always see it. There’s a Facebook group that keeps people updated on...

February Hours: 12 Cumulative Semester Hours: 30 The end of February makes it clear how quickly the spring semester is moving. I am glad to have the first Cellular Control exam behind me so I know what to expect, and I’m looking forward to this module since much of the material feels familiar -- especially the material on opioids and anesthetics from my interventional pain background. This month, I continued volunteering by cooking for the community fridges and delivering food at the locations on Jackson and on St. Charles near Tulane’s Uptown campus. I’ve done this several years now, and each time the fridges are empty when I arrive. While it’s meaningful to contribute directly to my community, it’s also a visible reminder of the level of food insecurity in nearly every uptown neighborhood. I’m hoping to join the Irish Channel Cooks volunteer group as well, which delivers meal trays to families throughout the week. I also helped grocery shop for a woman with a work-related injury who ...

January Hours: 18 Cumulative Semester Hours: 18  We’re only a few weeks into the semester, but it already feels good to have the first module behind us. It’s kind of wild how quickly this program is moving. It honestly feels like it’ll be over before we know it. This month, I stayed busy with a few different community service efforts. I continued my clinic work with Freestanding Communities, and we recently moved our clinic location to Ozanam Inn, which is a shelter on Poydras. The new space gives us more room and more foot traffic, which is great because it means we can serve more people. We saw a noticeable increase in respiratory illnesses this month, but we were able to help with medication management and reconnect several patients with their primary care providers. I’ve also kept up with cooking for the community fridges, which is such an easy and genuinely rewarding way to support our neighbors. I usually do a Costco run, buy ingredients in bulk, and make simple meals like ch...

November Community Hours: 18 Cumulative Fall Semester Hours: 36 I can’t believe we only have one week of class left this semester, and that the program is already nearly half completed. The blocks keep building on each other, and I’m really glad I’ve settled into a solid study routine. Renal physiology in the last block was tough, but I ended up liking the content more than I expected! For some reason, I found the hypertension independent study a little more difficult, but I stuck to my routine and was pleased with how the exams went. This month, I continued my volunteer work each week with Free Standing Communities. We’re almost done with our 3-month training now, so our group leaders mostly let us run the health point clinic ourselves and step in when needed. This month, I helped a pregnant patient who is currently staying in a shelter establish care with an OB, discussed transportation assistance, and made sure we put systems in place so she doesn’t get lost to follow-up. I hope we ...

October Monthly Community Hours: 15 Cumulative Fall Semester Hours: 18  It’s hard to believe we’re already past the halfway point of the semester! Classes continue to go well, though the exams have definitely become more challenging. The last module’s Principles lectures on electrophysiology, cardiac conduction, and the regulation of blood pressure and cardiac output were the most difficult for me, but I’m relieved that everything finally clicked. Our current CV module seems to build directly on that foundation, so I am glad I feel comfortable with the material. Overall, I’m very pleased with how the program has gone so far, though I’m definitely looking forward to the weeklong Thanksgiving break!  For community service this month, I’ve continued volunteering with Freestanding Communities. We recently completed our classroom training, and I’m now back in the field every Wednesday morning at the Grace at the Greenlight health point clinic. It’s been so rewarding to return to a ...

September Monthly Community Hours: 3 Cumulative Fall Semester Hours: 3  Hi! I'm Jody, and after completing my Master's in Healthcare Administration this spring, I realized that while I love thinking about healthcare systems, I want to maximize my impact on patients, not just on a systems level, but through the bedside, advocacy, and the way care is delivered.  The first few weeks have been a whirlwind! It's been fun getting to know my classmates and sharing my favorite parts of New Orleans. Returning to intensive studying has been an adjustment, but I'm finding what works - and my dog, Lucy, loves having me home.  For community service, I've been working with FreeStanding Communities, which is an all-volunteer outreach group that bridges gaps for the underserved in New Orleans. They help bring health literacy, screenings, and care directly into communities. It's a model for compassionate, barrier-free care that I'm proud to be a part of. I'm still in the...