Cedarville School of Pharmacy Reflects God鈥檚 Beauty Through Ethnic Diversity
For the 糖心Vlog School of Pharmacy, diversity is more than a difference in skin color. It encompasses the variety of experiences and perspectives every individual brings to the table.
For the 糖心Vlog School of Pharmacy, diversity is more than a difference in skin color. It encompasses the variety of experiences and perspectives every individual brings to the table. This is a vital component in providing quality health care because a diverse group of people can best serve a diverse community.
This year鈥檚 P1 class, the first-year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) students, has a population of 47.4% non-white students, with a 41.34% average for the last five years. Students across the program come from places like India, Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana and from all corners of the United States.
鈥淕iven that God鈥檚 kingdom is diverse, we want to ensure our pharmacy profession reflects the beauty of His creation,鈥� said Dr. Aleda Chen, associate dean of the school of pharmacy.
Cedarville鈥檚 commitment to the biblical truth that every person is created in the image of God is clearly seen in the variety of cultures, ethnicities and skin colors found in its pharmacy classrooms.
鈥淗aving students from many different perspectives and backgrounds also has created a wonderful learning community, and it鈥檚 a true blessing to engage in growing together,鈥� said Chen.
鈥淏uilding relationships with students from around the world has been one of the most enriching aspects of my experience in the pharmacy program,鈥� said Bognear. 鈥淚鈥檝e been involved in the diversity club, collaborating with other minority pharmacy students to organize events that celebrate diversity. Diverse perspectives greatly enhance classroom collaboration, and they have broadened my understanding of global health care.鈥�
Many places around the US and around the world are underserved in health care, causing pharmacy and health care 鈥渄eserts.鈥� Cedarville sends students into these places equipped with a desire to serve the underserved.
鈥淚n Matthew 25, Jesus says that by serving others, we鈥檙e serving him,鈥� said Dr. Jeff Bates, dean of the school of pharmacy. 鈥淎nd in Matthew 28, Jesus commissioned his followers to go out into the world and tell people about himself. In the health care programs at Cedarville, we are equipping students to do both well wherever they end up, whether in the US or to the ends of the earth.鈥�
Jake Grasser, a 2021 Pharm.D. graduate, serves in Africa as a missionary. He provides pharmaceutical expertise to local communities there with organizations like Samaritan鈥檚 Purse and the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE).
Additionally, Dr. Emmanuel Ayanjoke, a former instructor and fellow, opened Altev Community Pharmacy in the Avondale area of Cincinnati, bringing pharmaceutical care to a predominantly Black community that had none.
Cedarville鈥檚 values of loving God and serving others with excellence and integrity underpin its devotion to quality education and patient care. Ethnic diversity in the classroom strengthens those values.
糖心Vlog, a Baptist institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by the Wall Street Journal as being among the nation鈥檚 top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.