(1267) Assessing the Benefits and Impact of a Pharmacy-centered Peer Mentor Program

Objectives: After observing the REDUCED number of students applying to Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) programs AND SEEKING MEMBERSHIP IN PHARMACY-FOCUSED ORGANIZATIONS around the country, a peer mentoring program was implemented WITHIN AN APHA-ASP CHAPTER to encourage STUDENTS to join THE ORGANIZATION and increase retention of current members. THE MENTORING PROGRAM HAS PROVEN TO BENEFIT THIS ORGANIZATION AND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO POSITIVELY INFLUENCE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS APPLYING TO PHARM.D. PROGRAMS. OBJECTIVES OF THIS RESEARCH PROJECT INCLUDE: DESCRIBING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A FORMALIZED PEER MENTOR PROGRAM TO INCREASE ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF PRE-PHARMACY MEMBERS AND LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR FIRST- AND SECOND-YEAR STUDENT PHARMACISTS AS WELL AS ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF THIS PROGRAM ON BOTH STUDENTS AND THE CHAPTER.

Methods: This peer mentor program PAIRED first- and second-year student pharmacists in the Pharm.D. program with freshmen and sophomore pre-pharmacy students, respectively. This intentional pairing allowed sophomore students to learn specifics about the Pharm.D. application and interview process from a student who has previously completed this experience in addition to one full year of the Pharm.D. curriculum. In regard to freshmen students, it was expected of mentors to provide their expertise and advice on the rigorous pre-requisite courses taken during the upcoming sophomore year.

This program was designed to be a low commitment leadership position for first- and second-year student pharmacists in order to encourage natural friendship between professional and pre-pharmacy students without adding numerous tasks to already busy schedules. The requirements for this program include attending one chapter meeting as a pair each semester, attending one chapter-sponsored event as a pair each semester, and meeting as a pair outside of class or chapter events for at least thirty minutes once per semester. THESE REQUIREMENTS WERE TRACKED FOR COMPLETION USING AN ONLINE FORM TO BE COMPLETED AT THE END OF EACH SEMESTER.

Results: In its first year of implementation, the CHAPTER'S peer mentor program enrolled twenty-two freshmen and sophomore students as mentees. This means approximately 37.9% of the chapter’s pre-pharmacy members were enrolled in the mentoring program. FOLLOWING IMPLEMENTATION, attendance at chapter meetings and chapter-sponsored events increased from the 2021 to 2022 fall semesters by 35.2% and 21.7%, respectively. In addition, chapter membership and interest in leadership increased from the previous academic year. The total number of pre-pharmacy members increased by 38.1% and total chapter membership increased by 14.3% from the previous year. The number of freshmen and sophomore students applying for leadership positions within the chapter also increased by 33.3%.

Since its inception, the success of this program sparked inspiration to continue offering the peer mentor program to students in the 2023-2024 academic year. Following the second year’s enrollment period, thirty-five freshmen and sophomore students WERE registered for an increase of 59.1% in pre-pharmacy mentees from the pilot year. This means approximately 59.3% of the chapter’s pre-pharmacy members were enrolled for the 2023-2024 year. ADDITIONALLY, 50% OF ELIGIBLE PRE-PHARMACY MEMBERS RETURNED TO BE MENTEES AND 70% OF ELIGIBLE MENTORS RETURNED TO BE MENTORS THE FOLLOWING ACADEMIC YEAR.

Conclusions: To conclude, the peer mentor program has proven to increase pre-pharmacy engagement, overall MEMBERSHIP AND attendance, and interest in leadership positions. It is our chapter’s hope that this program will inspire other APhA-ASP chapters to implement similar programs to assist in reversing the declining number of ACTIVE STUDENT MEMBERS AND applicants to Pharm.D. programs around the nation.