At first glance, you wouldn’t think that Murron Pickens and Luther Stevens are classmates.
Pickens, 22, has been working as a pharmacy technician for a year at the CVS Pharmacy® in rural Durham, North Carolina. Stevens, 45, has been working at that same pharmacy for 30 years.
But while they have both taken different paths, the two colleagues are now reaching for the same goal – to become a pharmacist. And thanks to an innovative, new educational support program from Duquesne University and CVS Pharmacy, they are pursuing their dream jobs.
The program is designed to expand student horizons by providing CVS Pharmacy colleagues with the opportunity to pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree through Duquesne’s renowned online pharmacy curriculum at a reduced cost. Because the program is offered online, students benefit from its accessibility and flexibility, so they can care for their communities at the pharmacy while also continuing their education and growing their careers.
“This program has everything I want,” said Pickens, a Mooresville, North Carolina native. “It allows me to go to pharmacy school, continue to work at CVS and not need to take student loans to get it done.”
Their passion for taking care of people is a big part of the reason Pickens and Stevens want to become pharmacists.
Pickens, who lost relatives to COVID-19, said pharmacists are in a unique situation compared to most health care providers.
“Community pharmacists are the best way to bridge information gaps, given the personal relationship pharmacists create with their patients,” she said. “There is a trust that develops as pharmacists interact with patients on a regular basis.”
Stevens understands this dynamic well. As a long-time pharmacy technician at the store, patients regularly ask for Stevens, whether they are looking for help contacting their doctor’s office or have insurance questions.
“Health care has always been my thing,” said Stevens, who also helps train technicians at Duke University Hospital. “I like to help people. Becoming a pharmacist is the next level to helping people live healthier lives.”
Pickens and Stevens recently attended Duquesne’s School of Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony, which marks students’ official transition into the pharmacy profession as they begin their journey to become trusted health care providers. Both students are excited to begin work in the Duquesne program.
“The faculty has been super supportive. You can see they have a real passion for teaching and helping students,” Pickens said.
While noting going to school online will be a process, Stevens said Duquesne’s supportive environment increases his confidence.
“I know that if I have a question or need help, I can reach out to anyone in the program
and they will help me,” he said. “I’m excited to get started.”
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