UTAH HEALTH SCHOLARS ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

"From the time I was in elementary school, I knew I wanted to become a pharmacist. My first interaction with the Rural Health Scholars Program was in high school when there was an event for those interested in pre-health programs. They had pre-health students there for questions and we had the opportunity to dissect a heart. I was also introduced to Rita Osborn, the director of the program. After visiting with the students and Rita, I knew I wanted to be a part of this program and it would help me achieve my dream of being a pharmacist in a rural setting. Coming from Beaver, Utah, I knew that UHS would have the resources and knowledge to help me get into pharmacy school. UHS helped me with my class schedule and eventually helped me graduate a year earlier than anticipated with a bachelor’s degree.

UHS introduced me to the Community Health Center for service opportunities, which lead to a leadership position for the Special Olympics Club for two years. I also participated in two of the service trips that were offered. During those trips we served rural, underserved populations, which brought invaluable experience of working with a healthcare team and serving patients. UHS also helped with the pharmacy school application process. The assistance and advice provided, allowed me to submit my best possible application.

The staff are very helpful in the construction of every aspect of your application, including interview feedback. This feedback helped me feel prepared and confident going into various interviews. UHS helped me get accepted to one of my dream pharmacy schools, and less than two years after graduating pharmacy school, I have returned to Cedar City to continue my career serving this great community. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who is interested in pursuing any career in healthcare. The program and staff are invaluable in helping you achieve your goals."

Robbie Gurr, PharmD