McMullen Takes Role as Pharmacist Seriously

When Amanda McMullen graduated from The University of Findlay in 2011, she not only graduated with an MBA but also a Pharm.D. She quickly passed the boards and became a licensed pharmacist at Walgreens in Beavercreek. Soon after, McMullen was promoted to pharmacy manager.

McMullen takes her role as a pharmacist seriously. “The University of Findlay not only trained me to be a drug expert, but also instilled the necessary skills in order for me to communicate as a vital member of the health care team with nurses, doctors and other health care practitioners,” she said.

Originally from Springfield, Ohio, Amanda McMullen did not believe that class size was important until she transferred from a large state university to The University of Findlay.

With enrollment in general education classes at her previous university numbering in the hundreds, McMullen was enticed by the small class sizes that Findlay offered. “My successful completion of the rigorous pharmacy coursework concurrently with the MBA coursework is due largely, in part, to Findlay’s small class sizes and the motivation from my professors,” said McMullen.

The small class sizes motivated McMullen in more ways than one. With pharmacy classes capped at 35 students, the professors are able to develop relationships with all their students.

“This was a large motivation factor, not only to make sure I attended classes early in the morning, but also a study motivator because I did not want to let my professors down by scoring poorly on an exam,” said McMullen. “I felt all of my professors were genuinely concerned with how I was developing as a student pharmacist, and many were open to chat whenever I had a concern or just needed a word of encouragement.”

Pharmacy students are required to meet at least twice a year with a faculty member to plan, schedule and discuss their academic progress. McMullen noted that she was fortunate enough to have a faculty member who encouraged her to pursue an MBA in addition to a Pharm.D. No other student has ever successfully completed this combination at Findlay. McMullen also noted that the high standard to which the pharmacy faculty hold their students prepared her extremely well for her experiential rotation year.

During the nine months of work experience during the rotational year, McMullen saw truth in what she had always heard about the ‘pharmacy world’ being small.

“It is important to be involved and always conduct oneself in a professional manner in pharmacy because there is always someone nearby who you may bump into at a later date,” she noted.

The activities and opportunities that McMullen participated in during her collegiate career have fine-tuned her independent thinking skills and have also provided her with a diverse educational and experiential background.