Clinical Scholar Qingqing (Tina) Zhao, a clinical pharmacist from Chonqing China, recently completed the inaugural advanced clinical training program at Western New England University’s College of Pharmacy. The International Pharmacist Exchange Program provides an international clinical scholar with the opportunity to learn about U.S. Doctor of Pharmacy education in an academic setting along with training in a clinical setting. The International program was designed, implemented, and assessed by Western New England University Clinical Assistant Professor of Acute Care Dr. Shusen Sun, and international pharmacy authorities.
“I was deeply impressed with the structure of this training program. I had the opportunity to see how the College of Pharmacy educates pharmacy students, and I like the interactive teaching style,” says Qingqing Zhao, the program’s inaugural scholar, a clinical pharmacist at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chonqing Medical University in China. The program took three months and allowed Zhao to attend College of Pharmacy didactic lectures, case discussions, and faculty development seminars. She also shadowed Dr. Shusen Sun at the Holyoke Medical Center Emergency Department, worked with Dr. Eric Nemec and hospital pharmacy staff, and interacted with students on experiential clinical rotations.
Zhao gave a capstone seminar on clinical pharmacy education and training in China to college faculty as a requirement of the program. She has now returned to her home hospital in China after completing the program.
“The program enhanced both my clinical and technical English language skills. I highly recommend this program to my colleagues and other international pharmacists,” says Zhao. After the successful establishment of the international exchange program with Zhao as a scholar, the College of Pharmacy anticipates hosting clinical scholars on a regular basis to continue advanced pharmacy training and contributing to the internationalization of the University.
