Department website: https://www.pcom.edu/academics/programs-and-degrees/doctor-of-pharmacy/

Philosophy

The PCOM School of Pharmacy curriculum emphasizes patient centered care, a model consistent with the applied emphasis of PCOM’s graduate and medical programs. PCOM School of Pharmacy (SOP) is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of diverse communities in society by training students to become collaborative healthcare team members, advocates and leaders in pharmacy. The SOP achieves its mission through advancement of contemporary pharmacy practice, interprofessional education, patient-centered care, innovative research, commitment to service, and lifelong personal and professional development. The program also responds to the need for pharmacists in the nation, the state of Georgia and the southeastern region. The program educates pharmacists who prepare and provide drug products and assume responsibility for the rational use of drugs by contributing to the design, implementation, monitoring and modification of therapeutic plans that will achieve defined goals and improve therapeutic outcomes.

School of Pharmacy Goals

The PCOM School of Pharmacy defines operational goals to achieve its Mission through the following metrics of success:

1. Attraction and recruitment of student learners with the commitment and capability to advance the profession of pharmacy
2. On-time graduation of learners enrolled in the PharmD program
3. Graduates are employed in the field of their choice immediately upon graduation
4. Faculty and staff are committed and motivated to the success of PCOM
5. Continued growth of community partnerships with the capacity for shared contributions in human health and wellness
6. Evidence of leadership and innovation in the advancement of the pharmacy profession and human health
7. Graduates are engaged alumni and leaders of the pharmacy profession who would choose PCOM again

Curricular Outcomes and Entrustable Professional Activities (COEPA)

In January 2025, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine – Georgia Campus School of Pharmacy adopted and updated the 2022 Curricular Outcomes and Entrustable Professional Activities (COEPA) as the program’s educational outcomes (EOs). These EOs serve as a foundation to guide the curricular design, delivery, and review processes and are assessed within the School of Pharmacy’s comprehensive Assessment Plan.

 1.Knowledge

1. Scientific Thinking (Learner): Seek, analyze, integrate, and apply foundational knowledge of medications and pharmacy practice (biomedical; pharmaceutical; social, behavioral, administrative; and clinical sciences; drug classes; and digital health).

  2.Skills

 2.1Problem-solving Process (Problem-solver): Use problem solving and critical thinking skills, along with an innovative mindset, to address challenges and to promote positive change.

  2.2 Communication Communicator: Actively engage, listen, and communicate verbally, nonverbally, and in writing when interacting with or educating an individual, group, or organization.

  2.3 Cultural and Structural Humility (Ally): Mitigate health disparities by considering, recognizing, and navigating cultural and structural factors (e.g. social determinants of health, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility) to improve access and health outcomes.

  2.4 Person-centered Care (Provider): Provide whole person care and comprehensive medication management to individuals as the medication specialist using the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process.

  2.5 Advocacy Advocate: Promote the best interests of patients and/or the pharmacy profession within healthcare settings and at the community, state, or national level.

  2.6 Medication-use Process Stewardship (Steward): Optimize patient healthcare outcomes using human, financial, technological, and physical resources to improve the safety, efficacy, and environmental impact of medication use systems.

  2.7 Interprofessional Collaboration (Collaborator): Actively engage and contribute as a healthcare team member by demonstrating core interprofessional competencies.

  2.8 Population Health and Wellness (Promoter): Assess factors that influence the health and wellness of a population and develop strategies to address those factors.

  2.9 Leadership (Leader): Demonstrate the ability to influence and support the achievement of shared goals on a team, regardless of one’s role.

 3.Attitudes

  3.1     Self-awareness (Self-aware): Examine, reflect on, and address personal and professional attributes (e.g., knowledge, metacognition, skills, abilities, beliefs, biases, motivation, help-seeking strategies, and emotional intelligence that could enhance or limit growth, development, & professional identity formation.

  3.2     Professionalism (Professional): Exhibit attitudes and behaviors that embody a commitment to building and maintaining trust with patients, colleagues, other health care professionals, and society.

Our program incorporates active learning, interdisciplinary education and problem solving skills, affording our students the ability to practice in an ever-changing and lifelong learning profession. Students will also be exposed to and encouraged to gain specialized training in residency or fellowship programs to prepare them for careers in other areas such as specialized clinical practice, research, pharmaceutical industry or academia.