Investing in the future of community pharmacy
helps ease students' financial barriers and challenges, and
promotes a stable and inclusive pharmacy workforce pipeline
WOONSOCKET, R.I., April 3,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- To support the next generation
of pharmacists, CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS) today announced two new
offerings for pharmacy students: an enhanced PharmD tuition
assistance program for eligible CVS Pharmacy® interns and a
new scholarship for students enrolled in pharmacy schools
nationwide.
The CVS Health PharmD tuition assistance program is available to
all eligible CVS Pharmacy interns and consists of a $20,000 award per year. The new CVS
Health/American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
Community Pharmacy Health Equity Award will grant $20,000 to 21 outstanding student pharmacists who
face financial barriers in their pursuit of education.
"As leaders in community pharmacy, we are committed to investing
in the future of pharmacy, particularly to support the next
generation of students with financial assistance and hands-on
experience necessary to further their careers," said Prem Shah, Executive Vice President and Chief
Pharmacy Officer, CVS Health and President, Pharmacy and Consumer
Wellness. "We recognize the strong, enduring bond between
pharmacists and the communities they serve. CVS Pharmacy will
continue to advance the practice of pharmacy and provide more
opportunities for students to enter this important area of health
care."
As outlined in The Rx Report: The future of community
pharmacy opens doors to healthier communities, pharmacy
school applications have decreased by more than 60%1 in
less than a decade. With an increasing need for community
pharmacists nationwide, it is more important than ever to increase
exposure to the profession and to grow and stabilize the volume of
future pharmacists.
PharmD tuition assistance
This summer, 2024 PharmD graduates who intern with CVS Pharmacy
as of April 30, 2024, can apply for
up to $20,000 towards their final
year of tuition. In the fall, the program will be expanded to CVS
Pharmacy interns in their final two years of pharmacy education,
with $20,000 available for each year
while working as an intern for CVS Pharmacy. Recipients will
participate in a more flexible learning program with year-round
opportunities to enhance their ability to obtain valuable
experience before starting their post-graduate professional career
in pharmacy.
CVS Health/AACP Student Advocacy & Community Health
Equity Award
In collaboration with the American Association of Colleges of
Pharmacy and the CVS Health Foundation, the Community Pharmacy
Health Equity Award promotes diversity of thought, background,
perspective and experience to advance pharmacy education and
improve patient health. The scholarships are intended to promote
and support a population of student pharmacists who will care for
an increasingly diverse population of patients as part of a health
care team. Selected awardees must demonstrate leadership, academic
success, financial need and a commitment to advancing the
profession of pharmacy and patient care.
"Providing culturally competent care is critical to meeting the
needs of the many different communities we serve," Shah said. "Our
goal is to recruit candidates who are advocates for health equity
and the well-being of their patients."
Through the award and continued collaboration with AACP, CVS
Health continues its dialogue with pharmacy deans and students to
solicit actionable feedback to advance the pharmacy profession and
create a better place for tomorrow's pharmacists through important
and sustained workplace changes.
"AACP is committed to fostering a diverse pharmacy workforce
that will advance the profession and improve patient care," said
Lee Vermeulen, BSPharm, MS, FCCP,
FFIP, Executive Vice President and CEO of AACP. "We are grateful
for our partnership with CVS Health and for their help in meeting
the financial needs of students who will provide quality care to
patients in communities that are too often underserved and suffer
health disparities."
To learn about the Student Advocacy & Community Health
Equity Award or to apply for future scholarships, please
visit AACP.org. For more information and to apply to become a
CVS Pharmacy Intern in your area, please visit
cvs.jobs/ExperienceRx.
About CVS Health
CVS Health® is the leading health solutions company,
delivering care like no one else can. We reach more people and
improve the health of communities across America through our local
presence, digital channels and over 300,000 dedicated colleagues —
including more than 40,000 physicians, pharmacists, nurses and
nurse practitioners. Wherever and whenever people need us, we help
them with their health — whether that's managing chronic diseases,
staying compliant with their medications or accessing affordable
health and wellness services in the most convenient ways. We help
people navigate the health care system — and their personal health
care — by improving access, lowering costs and being a trusted
partner for every meaningful moment of health. And we do it all
with heart, each and every day. Follow @CVSHealth on social
media.
Media contacts
Matt
Blanchette
401-524-6185
Matthew.Blanchette@CVSHealth.com
Amy Thibault
401-318-2865
Amy.Thibault@CVSHealth.com
1 Aislinn Antrim.
Despite Rapid Growth of Institutions, Pharmacy School Applications
Decline. Pharmacy Times. April 5,
2023. Available at:
https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/despite-rapid-growth-of-institutions-pharmacy-school-applications-decline.
Accessed February 2024.
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SOURCE CVS Health