The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is offering our FREE WNE-MHC Golden Bear Summer Camp in June 2026 (named after Western New England's mascot, the Golden Bear!), giving high school students the chance to learn about exciting careers in pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, occupational therapy, and neuroscience. The camp is open to high school students aged 13 to 18, and we will accept the first 35 students who register.
Campers will have the opportunity to get tips on how to prepare for a career in pharmacy or occupational therapy, learn about neuroscience and other healthcare fields, and participate in hands-on activities, labs, and demonstrations.
The WNE-MHC Golden Bear Summer Camp will take place from Monday, June 22 through Friday, June 26, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Center for Sciences and Pharmacy building.
All campers must fill out the required forms before camp and review the WNE-MHC Golden Bear Summer Camp Manual. We can’t wait to see you at camp!
Many pharmacists work with people out in the community at your local retail stores. Filling prescriptions, counseling patients about their medications, or answering questions from patients and other healthcare providers. They can also work on healthcare teams in outpatient clinics with specific populations of patients.
Pharmacists can work in a hospital compounding medications for individual patients or working with the medical team to make sure every patient gets the best treatment.
To be a pharmacist, you must also learn how to work and compound various dosage forms.
As newer personalized medication becomes more popular, pharmacists must learn how to work with genetics.
Interested in other healthcare professions? Come and learn what being an occupational therapist is all about! In this growing healthcare field, practitioners assist individuals and communities in performing daily routines.
Neuroscientists work toward a common goal: to understand the structure, development, and function of the nervous system. Learn about how psychology, biology, and chemistry work together to understand the human body!
Learn about the college application and how to stand out regardless of where you apply!
“[Our son] had been shadowing at local pharmacies and was eager to learn more about pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. He thoroughly enjoyed the well-structured activities of the camp, which reinforced his passion for medicine, particularly within the outpatient pharmacy environment. The hands-on experiences, especially in compounding and real-world pharmacy settings, provided [our son] with invaluable exposure to healthcare and various science careers.”
“We were especially impressed by the supportive and inclusive environment created by the instructors and staff. Our child felt welcomed, encouraged to ask questions, and confident exploring new ideas. The fact that this high-quality program was offered at no cost made it even more meaningful and accessible for families, and we are very grateful for that commitment.”
“Through this program, [our daughter] was introduced to the field of pharmacology for the first time. She had the opportunity to participate in hands-on laboratory experiments, visit a real pharmacy to experience the daily work of a pharmacist, and attend engaging lectures provided by the faculty… By the final day of the program, she felt that she had discovered a potential career path for her future, which was incredibly meaningful for her at such a young age.”
Program Director
Clinical Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Dr. Arin Whitman received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy in Pittsburgh, PA. After graduation, she completed a PGY 1 Pharmacy Practice residency and Teaching Certificate program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Mercy Hospital and a PGY 2 residency in Hematology-Oncology at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Whitman practices at the UMass Ambulatory Care Center in the Hematology Oncology Clinic. She reviews the electronic medical record of patients on oral chemotherapy to assure every patient is on appropriate therapy and/or answers clinical questions from their prescribers/nursing. She communicates with each patient to review their specific dosing and administration instructions, side effects, hazardous agent handling precautions, and answers any questions or concerns they may have. Dr. Whitman also coordinates the WNE Pharmacy Summer Camp where 50 Springfield-area high school students are selected each June to spend a week with us on campus to engage in hands-on activities to learn about pharmacy careers and related fields from our pharmacy and occupational therapy faculty and staff.
Program Director
Associate Professor of Pharmacology
Dana-Lynn Koomoa, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. She is studying the interplay between signal transduction and calcium signaling pathways in the malignant progression of neuroblastoma (the most common extra-cranial pediatric solid tumor). Her research is being funded by an NCI R15 grant.
Staff Assistant
I’m proud to serve as part of the Golden Bear Summer Camp team, where I help keep our program running smoothly both behind the scenes and on the front lines. I manage a wide range of administrative and enrollment services, including processing camper registrations, acceptances, and essential documentation such as emergency contacts, allergy details, and special dietary needs. I also help support camp budgeting, food ordering, and coordination to ensure every camper’s experience is safe, organized, and memorable.
Whether families have questions about enrollment or need assistance throughout the process, I’m here as their first point of contact and happy to help.
Tiara Warren
Staff Assistant
College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
413-796-2417
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