University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center
| By Cathleen Rineer-Garber, Communications and Publications Manager |
Eloy Aragon, and his wife Francis, have owned Plaza Drugs in Las Vegas for 27 years. Although Aragon graduated from the UNM College of Pharmacy in 1977, he has never really left the University.
Aragon is as much a part of the College of Pharmacy today as he was as a student 30 years ago—but in a much different capacity. These days, Aragon is a preceptor—a volunteer faculty member who gives their time and knowledge to educate New Mexico’s next generation of pharmacists.
Students in the PharmD program at the UNM College of Pharmacy spend their fourth year in Advanced Professional Practice Experientials. This means they spend a month at a time with a faculty or volunteer faculty member, learning to apply the knowledge they have acquired in school to the real world.
Preceptors provide students with a variety of experiences. In clinical settings, they teach students to provide pharmaceutical care and disease state management in internal medicine, anticoagulation therapy, infectious disease, oncology, geriatrics and other specialties.
When students come to local pharmacies, like Plaza Drugs, they find out what it means to be a community pharmacist—from someone who knows—someone like Aragon. At Plaza Drugs—which has been part of the community since 1919—students learn what it’s like to operate an independent pharmacy in a small town, says Aragon.
During these externships, students become part of the community, care for patients in that community and practice the basics of being a pharmacist. Students have been learning these valuable lessons from Aragon for 25 years.
“When I was an intern, I was fortunate to have some very good preceptors who were willing to share their knowledge with me,” says Aragon. “They were very helpful and had a lot to do with my success.” Aragon says he is just returning the favor.
By working with one of the 320 New Mexico pharmacists who generously donate their time to this program, students gain valuable experience. But, more important, they have the opportunity to learn from some of the most experienced pharmacists in the state—a precious gift that stays with them throughout their careers.
Missed a feature story? Click here to browse our features archive.
