Ole Miss is one of 30 universities funded to create new postgraduate community pharmacy residencies through grants to nonprofit schools and colleges of pharmacy.
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation (NACDS) recently granted The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy a $50,000 grant to add one position, which will be focused in Funderburk’s Pharmacy in DeSoto County.
“This grant, offered by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation, creates more residency positions for our students after they graduate,” said Leigh Ann Ross, associate dean for clinical affairs and chair of pharmacy practice.
Funderburk’s Pharmacy, a preceptor of the School of Pharmacy that develops programs to provide clinical services, worked with university pharmacy professors to apply for the grant.
“Working with Leigh Ann and Dr. Ashley Ellis through the community pharmacy, we applied for the grant and got the funds to open up another expansion of the community pharmacy residency program,” said Cheryl Sudduth, pharmacist and owner of Funderburk’s Pharmacy.
Grant recipients are determined based on the recommendations of an independent review committee comprised of representatives from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, the American Pharmacists Association and the NACDS Foundation.
The money received in partnership with Funderburk’s Pharmacy will go toward the resident’s salary, fringe benefits and support for research projects, travel and other accommodations.
“The grant really strengthens our partnership with Funderburk because we already have a faculty member who practices there who provides medication therapy management services in that pharmacy two days a week,” Ross said.
Junior pharmacy major Kori Daniels said she believes that the grant will benefit pharmacy students because it will give them the ability to try out different venues of pharmacy.
“There are so many more options other than just retail and hospital,” Daniels said.
“The grant will give pharmacy students the ability to go out there and see if that’s what they are interested in.”
Ross said the program offers exceptional training opportunities, as the goal is to increase residency opportunities within the state of Mississippi.
“As we continually try to provide opportunities for faculty, students and residents, this grant accomplishes all three,” Ross said.
