For Immediate Release
Contact: Holly Botsford at O: 414-955-8761, C: 414-688-7960 or hbotsford@mcw.eduor Michael Alfieri at 608-796-3465 or msalfieri@viterbo.edu
Medical College of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy Partners with Viterbo University for Direct Admittance 3+3 Program
LA CROSSE, Wis. – A new agreement between the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and Viterbo University will assure qualified undergraduate students at Viterbo University early admittance to the MCW School of Pharmacy upon graduation.
In addition to being guaranteed a spot in MCW’s three-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, full-time Viterbo students who successfully complete the requirements will also connect with MCW in the early stage of their academic careers. They will each be assigned a MCW mentor and have opportunities to participate in School of Pharmacy programs and events before entering pharmacy school.
“This partnership enhances a direct pipeline to recruit diverse students exemplified by Viterbo University to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program,” said George E. MacKinnon III, Ph.D., M.S., RPh, founding dean of MCW’s School of Pharmacy. “We’re excited for the growth this partnership will bring to the PharmD program and expanding our reach to southwest Wisconsin.”
The six-year program is comprised of three years of undergraduate curriculum at Viterbo, resulting in a Bachelor of Science degree, followed by three years of study in the PharmD curriculum at MCW.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for students interested in becoming a pharmacist,” said Michael Alfieri, Viterbo University associate professor of biology and assistant dean of the Collge of Education, Engineering, Letters, and Sciences. “This exciting new collaboration between Viterbo and MCW will serve to strengthen our pre-health program by providing greater opportunities for students interested in continuing their education in the Midwest.”
The MCW Pharmacy School is the only three-year PharmD program in the Midwest that is located at an academic medical center, providing access to world-renowned resources at Froedtert Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin for students and faculty alike. The aim of the MCW Pharmacy School is to not only educate the pharmacists of the future, but also create new and innovative practice models and interprofessional health care teams that leverage the role of the pharmacist to deliver patient-centered care with improved health outcomes.
For full details of this partnership, visit https://www.viterbo.edu/mcwpharm on the Viterbo University website.
-30-