College mascot helps out at CARES clinic

We’re here with Phil the Pill, the mascot of the MUSC College of Pharmacy.

He recently made an appearance alongside Terry Steyer, interim dean of the MUSC College of Medicine, at the CARES Medical Clinic event in the St. Stephen community. During the event, students from the colleges of medicine and pharmacy helped the CARES team administer vaccines, perform sports physicals, and give health screenings.

We sat down with Phil the Pill to talk about the art of mascotting.

Q: Phil, all your appearances have turned you into something of a minor celebrity, haven’t they?

A: What do you mean, ‘minor?’

Q: Well, you’re not exactly the Philly Fanatic or Tony the Tiger.

A: This interview is off to a great start. I’ll be in my trailer.

Q: Wait! Er… let me start again. Is it gratifying to be asked to appear at an MUSC event?

A: Why, yes! Yes, it is. At the St. Stephen’s event, I got a chance to make health care a little bit of fun for members of the community. Sometimes children are anxious about getting a vaccine or having their blood pressure taken. Having a big friendly bottle around makes it more festive. Of course, some find my appearance terrifying.

Q: I can understand that.

A: Fortunately, I had a seasoned pro helping me out. Medical student Caroline Kittrell had the honor of the bottle and she flat knows how to mascot.

Q: How to mascot?

A: Sure. You can’t say anything, so it is all in gestures. Why do you think we mascots give so many high-fives? You don’t give nuanced performances with giant, three-fingered gloves.

Q: Are you available for other events?

A: Talk to my agent.

Ed. Note: Phil the Pill’s agent says he is generally reserved for pharmacy advancement events, with occasional exceptions for events with pharmacy students. Also, like in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the requester must be ‘pure of heart.’