During her time as an undergraduate student at Purdue University, Chloe Hietpas interned at a homeless shelter that helped people experiencing homelessness access medications. When she was researching pharmacy schools, she knew she wanted a similar opportunity where she could help underserved individuals obtain the medications they needed. 

“During my research, I discovered the Phillips Neighborhood Clinic, which offered the chance to serve the community while also gaining hands-on experience with preceptors. This was exactly what I was looking for as I embarked on a new stage of my education,” said Hietpas.

Once she started her Doctor of Pharmacy program at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, she began to hear more about the interprofessional student-run, free clinic and became even more intrigued. 

“I learned about the different volunteer roles, including the patient care lead position. This role would allow me to meet patients and advocate for their needs. As I gained more classroom experience, I also saw the opportunity to counsel patients on their medications and help the team decide on treatment options,” she said. 

Hietpas was also excited by the networking and interprofessional experiences offered at the Phillips Neighborhood Clinic, or PNC. 

“I loved the idea of working closely with students from various health care professions. Upperclassmen also spoke highly of the chance to meet pharmacists from different areas of pharmacy and build one-on-one connections. This was especially important to me, as I wanted to explore future career paths and hear firsthand about pharmacists’ experiences,” she said.

While volunteering at PNC over the past two years, Hietpas has enjoyed getting to know the patients and helping meet their needs. 

“This experience has allowed me to listen to patients’ stories and be creative in how we, as students, can help. I enjoy working alongside the community and coming together for the greater good. Volunteering at PNC keeps me involved in the community and reminds me of the purpose behind the long hours of studying,” Hietpas said. “I chose my career path to make a difference, and I get to see that difference at PNC. I also greatly appreciate learning from my pharmacy preceptors. Because there is a low pharmacy preceptor-to-student ratio, I am able to have topic discussions and learn unique clinical pearls.”

Lessons Learned at PNC

Prior to volunteering at PNC, Hietpas did not imagine herself in a leadership role. However, after spending time at PNC, she came to understand how essential volunteers are and how much behind-the-scenes work goes into keeping the clinic running. 

“Through my leadership role, I am able to advocate for the patients while also supporting the operational side. This role allows me to be creative and work on a team closely to troubleshoot the unpredictable. Now, as I am fulfilling a clinical experience at the hospital, I am able to look at the operational side of pharmacy and help solve problems in an efficient and creative manner. I find myself more adaptable with a willingness to persevere,” she said. 

The Importance of Seeing Each Patient as a Whole

Hietpas says she is reminded each time she volunteers at PNC to take a step back and look at the patient holistically, going beyond their chief complaint. 

“I have learned a thinking process that assesses the patient's insurance, food security, medication accessibility, and other stressors that impact one’s health,” she said. “I have enjoyed working alongside the psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner students where I have learned how to ask difficult questions and destigmatize mental health. Additionally, this opportunity has expanded my understanding and respect for the other health care professions.” 

According to Hietpas, each patient has a unique story, and PNC volunteers draw on their diverse professional backgrounds to provide truly personalized care. 

According to Hietpas, PNC has surpassed everything she had hoped to learn and gain from this volunteer experience. 

“I have been able to see patient-centered care in action and how I as a pharmacist can contribute positively to the patient’s health care experience,” she said. “PNC has shown me how to be an advocate and make meaningful differences for my patients.”