Findlay Pharmacy Students Help with COVID-19 Testing

University of Findlay’s College of Pharmacy students are helping administer RT-qPCR tests, otherwise known as saliva tests, which detect specific genes from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes COVID-19.

UF’s College of Pharmacy is partnered with a company known as AZOVA, who set up a COVID-19 testing site at the University of Toledo. “AZOVA was looking for a third party to help administer these tests and that’s how UF got involved,” mentioned Kate Alt, PharmD, assistant director of medication therapy management and telehealth center.

Any UF Pharmacy student is able to volunteer at the testing site at the University of Toledo up to twice a week. Once at the University of Toledo testing site, UF student and faculty volunteers check patients into their appointment and review the self-administered tests with the patients. “UF Pharmacy students who are expected to wear a face mask, face shield and gloves, showed patients how to use the self-administered testing kits,” said Alt.

Third year UF Pharmacy student Erica Hamilton, says she’s grateful for this opportunity to help ensure the health of the community and hopefully slow the spread of the virus. Hamilton also mentioned, “this is especially significant to me because I’ve been able to take on an active role during this crisis even though I am still a student.” “It is really cool to see this side of the pandemic and how we are making efforts to stop the spread,” added Sarah Ritter, a second year UF Pharmacy student.

For more information regarding COVID-19 testing, please contact UF employee, Sothea Phon-Xue, PharmD, director of medication therapy management and telehealth center at phons@findlay.edu.

Visit University of Findlay’s College of Pharmacy website to learn more.