Many of the students at St. John’s University who do Academic
Service-Learning are changed in some way as a result of the
experience. Yoojung Yang, a sixth-year Pharmacy major in the
College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions is one of those
people. Yoojung is an international student who is from South Korea
and is working toward receiving her Pharm.D. in May 2008.
“As a child I never saw myself in the field of pharmacy, I
thought I’d become a pediatrician or an architect…maybe build
bridges! Yet I knew I was scientifically inclined, and chose
pharmacy. Somewhere in my third year at St. John’s I decided that
pharmacy was the right fit for me. Now that I am approaching
graduation, I’m excited about the many professional avenues that
will open for me in the future,” said Yoojung.
In the last two years of the Doctor of Pharmacy program,
students engage in nine, one-month Advanced Experiential Rotations
in various practice settings. Yoojung welcomed the opportunity to
work with Dr. John Conry, a clinical professor at the College of
Pharmacy, whom she had collaborated with last year on projects
commemorating World AIDS Day. Experiences in working with Project
Renewal and the MedVan, have made a difference in her life. “For
the most part we serve a homeless population. On Fridays, the van
goes to Harlem where we help workers from Ready, Willing and Able,
which is a program that targets the segment of the homeless
population considered the hardest to serve: single, able-bodied
adults, the majority of whom have histories of incarceration and
substance abuse. They assist men and women to become drug-free,
secure full-time employment and obtain their own self-supported
housing,” Yoojung remarked. “There are a physician’s assistant, Dr.
Conry, a pharmacist and two pharmacy students on the van. As a
student, I assist Dr. Conry and other medical providers in
identifying clients’ health problems and optimizing the appropriate
therapy. Many have chronic problems like hypertension, elevated
lipids, or diabetes. Medicines are often dispensed as needed from
the MedVan, and active medication counseling is provided.
Sometimes listening to a person is what’s most essential. I have
learned so much about people. I consider it a privilege to be able
to help someone in these circumstances. They depend on the MedVan,
and this is a non-profit, funded organization, completely dependent
on donations and public grants,” Yoojung pointed out.
“The question about how I have been changed by this experience
leads me to realize that a relationship of trust is established
between you and the patient. I know I’ve made a difference. I’ve
always been interested in public health, and I am glad I did choose
this particular rotation as I think I may move in that direction in
the future. If I did not have this opportunity I probably would not
consider such a path. Many people, especially the indigent, just
don’t have access to health care, and I’m grateful for the
opportunities I’ve had. I hope that I will make a difference in my
professional career someday.”