ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — For many living in rural communities in Illinois, pharmacies are slowly disappearing as pharmacists in those areas age out of the profession, and not enough younger people are taking up the mantle.
"The trend over the last 20 years is that the small independent pharmacies, that often are the only ones serving rural communities, they’ve closed," said Dr. Heidi Olson, of the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy at Rockford
Olson said a new grant will help UIC try to remedy the problem.
"The grant is going to help us meet these goals by increasing the awareness of pharmacy as a career and the need for pharmacists in rural communities," she said. " "It’s also going to improve the competency of our student pharmacists in rural and taking care of rural people. And it’s also going to help support and engage rural pharmacists that are already out in the community practicing."
Third-year pharmacy student Austin Flemming will soon become a pharmacist and said he has seen the emphasis placed on supporting rural communities.
"I know people personally, in my grade, this is the first year that’s coming out and they’re already taking advantage of these opportunities to go into these smaller towns," he said. "So, we’re definitely taking steps to have more practicing pharmacists."
Olson said, "The timing of this grant is perfect because I feel like the situation in rural pharmacy and in rural communities is dire at this point. So, we really want to make sure that we’re utilizing this money to get our students trained and prepared to practice in those communities and increase the chances that they’ll think about going to a rural pharmacy when they finish pharmacy school."
UIC says it plans to host recruitment events in rural towns, the first scheduled for late March.
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February 27, 2025 at 04:14PM
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