June is Preceptor Appreciation Month

Every pharmacist remembers a preceptor who changed their life. Ask a pharmacist when they found their passion, and the second part of the sentence is almost always “and then I did a rotation with…”

Preceptors provide insight, inspiration, and invaluable experience. In recognition of the vital role preceptors play in a student’s education, the MUSC College of Pharmacy has designated June as “Preceptor Appreciation Month.”

“Precepting a student takes time and effort,” said Philip Hall, dean of the College. “We’re incredibly fortunate that our students have access to a broad network of outstanding preceptors. We established Preceptor Appreciation Month as a way to recognize and celebrate their selfless dedication to giving back to the profession.”

Earlier this month, Hall was joined by deans from the state’s other pharmacy schools on a Zoom call to record thank you messages to the preceptors. The video message was supplemented with images of students holding signs in appreciation and distributed to the preceptors. Another component was delivery of lunch to several Lowcountry rotation sites to celebrate and thank the preceptors.

In addition, the MUSC College of Pharmacy is conducting a social media campaign on Facebook and Instagram featuring photos and stories of preceptors and rotations. #iamMUSCpharmacy #PEEPpreceptor

The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education mandates that students must complete 1,440 hours of experiential education through Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE), making it approximately one-third of a pharmacy education.

As a founding member of the Palmetto Experiential Education Partnership (PEEP), along with the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, the MUSC College of Pharmacy broadens its students’ options into a comprehensive state-wide network of preceptors that extends across the country and around the world.

The dedication of the preceptor network was never more evident than this spring, when efforts to limit the spread of the coronavirus created significant complications. A number of rotation sites had to cancel while others faced issues related to travel, quarantine, new policies, and other difficulties. And all preceptors were juggling an overwhelming workload.

MUSC’s experiential education team managed to keep all students on track, which they credit to the dedication of the preceptors.

“They have stepped up to add months, add students, add new time-frames and get creative in how to maintain a rotation,” said Elizabeth Weed, director of experiential education at MUSC. “They stepped up immediately to help. They have been more than willing to offer us help with students completing the necessary hours, adding rotations. They have been amazing.”

Comments from students about their preceptors

Shyama Alzaidi '23

Preceptor: Kristy Brittain

“Dr. Brittain managed and facilitated the rotation as a great leader and great teacher… I enjoyed working with her during this month and I will always remember this rotation and how we succeeded with all the challenges that we are facing now… Her dedication and efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic [enabled us] to meet our rotation’s objectives and make it a great memorable experience for all of us... I had a chance to interact with patients, work on Epic [MUSC’s electronic health record] to evaluate patient's orders and do first fills. I would recommend Dr. Brittain to other students as I had a great experience even when we were doing it virtually.”

Bailey Bass ’21

Preceptor: Amy Sion

“Throughout the duration of my rotation, Dr. Sion was a great preceptor, pharmacist, patient advocate, and role model. She was attentive to the needs of her patients while also prioritizing implementation of evidence-based medicine and [National Comprehensive Cancer Network] NCCN guidelines. Because she works in an interprofessional environment, I was able to learn so much from her regarding interpersonal communication, leadership, and management skills. She was in constant communications with patients, prescribers, and nurses to ensure that there was seamless transition of care from clinic to infusion to outpatient management.”

Sara Bruner ’21

Preceptor: Nicole Pilch

“Dr. Pilch has been an incredible role model in the pharmacy profession over this previous month. She is passionate about what she does and clearly does everything to the best of her ability… She is an effective, organized, and enthusiastic teacher and I feel more motivated and excited about the pharmacy profession whilst just being around her… I am excited to go into my next rotation showing my new preceptor all that I now know and understand since being on rotation with Pilch! I have grown tremendously in my student pharmacy career and it is all thanks to her this month. I could not have asked for a better first preceptor.”

Preceptor Appreciation Month posts on Facebook

Preceptor Appreciation Month posts on Instagram