Third-year Doctor of Pharmacy students at Samford University’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy administered 4,191 vaccines to members of the Birmingham community last week during a hands-on experiential course. The students averaged 70 vaccinations each, gaining valuable experience in community pharmacy practice.
The experience was part of PHAR 530 Focused Patient Care Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE), in which allows students to apply classroom learning while working directly with patients under the guidance of pharmacy preceptors.
Beyond dispensing medications, pharmacists play an important role in preventive care, patient education and wellness. During the experience, students administered vaccinations for influenza, COVID-19, pneumococcal disease and zoster.
These interactions gave students the opportunity to strengthen their clinical skills, build confidence and better understand how pharmacists contribute to patient care. Working with patients in community pharmacy settings also helped students develop communication skills and recognize the importance of meeting individual patient needs.
“Participating in my IPPE was an eye-opening experience as a pharmacy student,” said Alejandra Rodriguez Matos. “It highlighted how we can make a tangible difference by bringing care directly to the community, specifically by providing services at people’s workplaces and taking the time to answer their questions and address their health concerns. This removed real barriers for individuals who struggle to visit a clinic or pharmacy during standard hours.”
Rodriguez Matos said the experience shaped her preparation for practice by reinforcing the importance of patient engagement and health education. “It reinforced that clinical practice extends far beyond dispensing medications; it requires listening, meeting patients where they are, and actively engaging in health education,” Matos said.
Through experiential learning opportunities like IPPE, McWhorter School of Pharmacy transforms students into knowledgeable and compassionate pharmacists ready to serve patients and communities.
The experience reinforces the profession’s commitment to improving health and helping patients make informed decisions about their care. Experiences like these reflect the hands-on learning that helped Samford University earn national recognition in The Wall Street Journal’s 2026 rankings, including No. 3 for career preparation and No. 7 for student learning opportunities.
