Pharmacy Student Cares for Hometown

For UMKC pharmacy student Kassandra Estrada, learning happens where care is delivered.

A Kansas City native, Estrada serves her hometown in clinics, hospitals and neighborhoods across the metro. UMKC’s close connection to the community has provided the opportunity to gain hands-on experience without leaving home, and that connection now shapes her education as she completes clinical rotations throughout the metro.

Learning in Action at Saint Luke’s

Estrada recently completed an ambulatory care rotation at Saint Luke’s Hospital, where she applied what she learned in the classroom to work directly with patients as part of an interdisciplinary care team.

Estrada reviewed medication lists and spoke with patients about access to their medications and adherence to their treatment plan. Additionally, she collaborated with medical students and physicians to help care for patients as a comprehensive care team.

“This is super valuable as a pharmacy student,” Estrada said. “You get to learn how to work collaboratively and provide the best care for patients.”

Side-by-Side Training

At UMKC, pharmacy students learn alongside other healthcare profession students early in their training.

According to Maureen Knell, clinical professor of pharmacy practice at UMKC, this model prepares students for real-world practice.

“Students learn they are part of the team,” Knell said. “They work together in real-world situations with patients.”

For Estrada, working alongside medical students, physicians, nurses and social workers has expanded her understanding of how different disciplines contribute to patient-centered care.

“The physicians at Saint Luke’s are great,” she said. “They're very aware and inclusive of us during the conversations, so we never feel like we're left out. We're always contributing to the conversation somewhere or another.”