Belmont University College of Pharmacy

Nashville, Tennessee

Founded: 2008

Class Size: Around 75

Nashville may be known for its music, but it has also been called the health care capital of the United States, noted Belmont University College of Pharmacy Dean Philip Johnston, PharmD.

In addition to the school’s resources and culture, Dr. Johnston told Pharmacy Times in an exclusive interview that Belmont students point to the small campus and student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1 as some of its assets.

One of the college’s unique offerings to students is its medicinal garden, which contains more than 30 different medicinal plants. This space offers educational opportunities to students interested in pharmacognosy, the study of medicine derived from natural resources.

While all pharmacy school must provide up to one-third of student credit toward experiential education, Belmont extends this into the work place.

“[Belmont] provides advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) rotations in over 20 states and has provided international APPE experiences for years,” Dr. Johnston told Pharmacy Times.

Belmont students had a pass rate of 97.14% in their first-time attempt on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination in 2014.

A: When Nashville pharmacists and students are asked what is unique about our program, they often refer to our 4 concentrations in the curriculum. As a student at Belmont, you will pursue a concentration that directs you to a cluster of electives that prepare you to be “job ready.” These are pharmacy management, missions and public health, information technology, and pharmacotherapy.

In addition, we now have a PharmD/MBA option, giving you the opportunity to gain both degrees in a 4-year period on our campus.

Q: What are some community outreach activities or programs the school participates in?

A: We participate in so many health care-related events to raise awareness or money that it would be impossible to list them all. We have 10 student organizations that all participate in community service.

Health screenings, brown bag events, medication therapy management events, fun runs, Easter egg hunts, Halloween events, letter writing, assistance in surgery and health care missions, and service to the marginalized populations in Nashville all benefit from our activity. Students also volunteer in health events sponsored by community pharmacies, churches, research institutions, and others.

Q: What advice do you have for students who will graduate this year?

A: Keep learning. Find a mentor. Remain professional. Join a pharmacy organization, and support it actively. Remember your college/school will always want to know what you are doing, and they will always benefit from your help.