PharmDawgs rallied during the most recent “Dawg Day of Giving,” raising almost $14,500 for one of the College’s newest funds.
Recognizing the substantial need pharmacy students face when preparing for graduation, Dean Kelly Smith created the Postgraduate Career Support Fund in December 2022. The fund provides a wide range of assistance for graduating students in all academic programs at the College. For instance, students in the PharmD program may request funds for residency applications, applying for licensure, and more. Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences undergraduate and graduate students, along with Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy graduate students, may request financial assistance in applying to graduate programs, as well as application fees associated with required licensure examinations and testing.
“Support for our students doesn’t end at graduation,” said Dean Smith. “Helping students enter the residency pool or job market is one of the key components of our student-centric service mission. I am committed to assuring that we do everything we can to support students throughout their education and beyond.”
Inaugural donors to the fund, such as Class of 2008 alumnus Dr. Daniel Malcom, were particularly excited about a new way to give back to the College.
“When I first saw this fund, I thought it seemed like a great opportunity to give back to both UGA and the pharmacy profession by making the last year of school a little easier,” said Malcom, who is the Department Chair of Pharmacy Practice at the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Sullivan University in Louisville, KY. “That last year and especially those last few months while you’re still paying tuition and paying to live before you start making money after graduation, can be difficult. I love that my donation can directly help fourth-year students survive and make the most out of the final few months before they receive their degree.”
Already, the fund has made a difference in the lives of students. Soon after the initial call for applications, an inaugural cohort of 38 students received $10,640, a majority of which was for licensure applications. After these awards, the fund was quickly depleted, despite total requests equaling more than $64,000. Remarked Dean Smith, “Obviously, the need for support as students reach the end of their academic journey is clear, which is why we will continue to seek donations for this important fund.”
If you would like to help PharmDawgs in their postgraduate plans, make your gift today.
