The PharmD Class of 2023 completed the first Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) for Community Pharmacies in January 2021.
Students were hosted by preceptors from 52 pharmacies located across the province including Winnipeg, Brandon, Steinbach, Beausejour, Selkirk, Gimli, Birtle and Rossburn for this four-week rotation.
Despite the challenges of the pandemic at its peak, 20 per cent of the class participated in rotations outside of Winnipeg with a broad cross section of community pharmacy experiences overall.
We want to thank all the sites, preceptors and supporting pharmacists and staff who made the inaugural IPPE rotation such a wonderful success!
Interestingly, some of the second-year students had the added benefit of working with a fourth-year BSc. (Pharm) student completing their six-week community pharmacy rotation with them at the same time. Fourth year students indicated that this was a beneficial learning experience for them. “I feel it is benefitting me as well because I will give him scenarios and cases and it gives me a refresher also,” said fourth year BSc. (Pharm) student, James Pelletier. “I am enjoying it a lot.”
Stephanie Bansee, another fourth-year student, also appreciated the opportunity. “I love having a student!” said Bansee. “I’ve been trying to teach her as much as I can. She asks for feedback on her counsels (counseling), what she did well, what she missed or needs to improve, and she takes my advice to heart. This opportunity has been so fun and rewarding to me!”