USC School of Pharmacy’s annual High School Career Day on April 15 brought approximately 140 students to the Health Sciences Campus from local high schools.

Students participate in a hands-on exercise in compounding, the art and science of preparing personalized medicines for patients. (Photo/Chris Jones)

Alumna Leticia Hernandez, PharmD, welcomed students from STAR Prep Academy, King Drew Magnet High School for Medicine and Science and Bravo Medical Magnet School by sharing her journey of growing up in Huntington Park, becoming the first female in her family to go to college, going to USC, and becoming a pharmacist in a predominantly Spanish-speaking Latino community, where she gets to help patients stay healthy.

She encouraged students to consider pharmacy and health careers and begin taking steps in school now to make that future a reality. “Think five years from today, 10 years from today,” she said.

After enjoying lunch on the Harry and Celesta Pappas Quad, students spent the afternoon in small-group rotations focusing on asthma, hypertension and diabetes and participated in a hands-on exercise to learn about compounding, the art and science of preparing personalized medicines for patients.

“We’re really happy that you’re here and we’re happy to get you excited about pharmacy,” Interim Dean Glen Stimmel, PharmD, told the students. “The options within a career in pharmacy are diverse, and I hope today you’ll learn about those options and figure out what would be a nice match for you.”

— Michele Keller