Students Immunize Employees of Local Hospitals

A press release from Cedarville University

Cedarville University third-year doctor of pharmacy students have been partnering with hospitals in the Dayton-Kettering region to administer influenza vaccines to employees.

Employers have started to mandate that the influenza vaccine be administered to all employees to prevent the spread of the virus and to increase the safety of their institution. But, this need for immunization against influenza can accrue high costs to these employers. In response, the school of pharmacy has entered an agreement with some local hospitals in which doctor of pharmacy students are engaged in administering the vaccines. The school does not charge the hospitals for the students’ services.

The students provide their skills — each being certified by a national training program – to the hospitals while under direct, professional supervision.

“As a new school of pharmacy, we are always looking for ways to meet the needs of our community partners. It is our mission, that is who we are” said Thad Franz, R.Ph., Pharm.D., assistant professor of pharmacy and director of experiential programs, “We want our students leaving here with a heart to meet needs here and around the world.”

Franz is responsible for setting up this opportunity for the students and accompanies them on some of the visits. Students give shots as part of their service-related requirement of the pharmacy program, where flu clinics are set up in the mornings and on Fridays around their class schedule.

Students have administered flu vaccines at Grandview Memorial Hospital, Greene Memorial Hospital, Kettering Medical Center, Sycamore Medical Center, Dayton Children’s Hospital and Kettering Prestige Plaza.

Cedarville University School of Pharmacy holds a regional accreditation through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Cedarville University's Doctor of Pharmacy program has been granted candidate status by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,620 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 100 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings.