HENRY ADJEI
PHARMACY
NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
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SPRING 2025 SEMESTER CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
As part of my spring 2025 semester co-curricular activities, I had the opportunity to engage in two impactful service events: volunteering to serve meals to the homeless and recently released prisoners on January 24 and 29, 2025, and participating in a smoking cessation education presentation to 7th and 8th graders at City Springs Elementary School on March 28, 2025.
Serving meals to vulnerable individuals come to our daily bread employment center, Baltimore downtown reinforced the importance of compassion, dignity, and nonjudgmental care in health services. It heightened my awareness of the social and economic factors that influence health outcomes, especially for individuals reintegrating into society after incarceration. These encounters deepened my commitment to advocating for equitable healthcare access and strengthened my resolve to be a pharmacist who sees beyond prescriptions—acknowledging the human stories behind them.
The smoking cessation outreach at city springs elementary school here in Baltimore allowed me to engage youth in preventive health education, demonstrating the pharmacist’s role in public health. It improved my ability to communicate health messages effectively to a younger audience and highlighted the importance of early intervention in shaping lifelong health behaviors.
Together, these activities enhanced my cultural competency, interpersonal communication, and public health awareness—skills essential for patient-centered care. They also affirmed my desire to pursue a pharmacy career rooted in community engagement, health advocacy, and service to underserved populations.
One of the most significant impacts of my IPPE was seeing how classroom knowledge is applied in actual patient care settings. The principles of therapeutics and pharmacokinetics are crucial for effective patient care, and their real-world applications were eye-opening. For example, observing how clinical pharmacists reconcile complex medication regimens using their expertise in drug interactions, contraindications, and adverse effects greatly enhanced my confidence in making informed clinical decisions.
Throughout the rotation, my interactions with other healthcare professionals were particularly beneficial. These experiences helped me refine my communication skills, making them more concise and respectful. Engaging with patients and understanding their concerns, while conveying information in an empathetic and understandable manner, were skills I developed and honed. Additionally, participating in medical calls and inter-professional collaborations underscored the importance of teamwork and the role each member plays in delivering optimal patient care.
Furthermore, the IPPE provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the daily operations within a pharmacy. I gained insight into medication dispensing, inventory management, and adherence to regulatory standards. This exposure helped me appreciate the meticulous nature of pharmacy practice, including the challenges of medication shortages and the critical importance of accuracy in dispensing.
The experience also broadened my perspective on various career paths within the pharmacy profession. I observed that while pharmacists at the hospital worked towards the same goal, each demonstrated unique competencies in different areas of pharmacy practice. This experience, combined with my exposure from community IPPE, will be invaluable in helping me decide my areas of interest and potential career path. The combined effect of these exposures solidifies my commitment to the profession and my enthusiasm for exploring its diverse opportunities.
| Date: | 08/15/2024 |
| Rotation Type: | *PHRD 412 IPPE II (Health System) |
| Comments: | FINAL REFLECTION |
View| Date: | 08/15/2024 |
| Rotation Type: | *PHRD 412 IPPE II (Health System) |
| Comments: |
View| Date: | 08/15/2024 |
| Rotation Type: | *PHRD 412 IPPE II (Health System) |
| Comments: |
View| Date: | 08/15/2024 |
| Rotation Type: | *PHRD 412 IPPE II (Health System) |
| Comments: | STUDENT EVALUATION OF SITE AND PRECEPTOR |
View| Date: | 08/14/2024 |
| Rotation Type: | *PHRD 412 IPPE II (Health System) |
| Comments: | PHARMACY CALS AND MED SAFETY FORM |
View| Date: | 08/13/2024 |
| Rotation Type: | *PHRD 412 IPPE II (Health System) |
| Comments: | PHARMACY CALCULATIONS AND MED SAFETY FORM |
View| Date: | 08/12/2024 |
| Rotation Type: | *PHRD 412 IPPE II (Health System) |
| Comments: | PHARMACY MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS FORM |
View| Date: | 08/10/2024 |
| Rotation Type: | *PHRD 412 IPPE II (Health System) |
| Comments: | MEDICATIONS AND ASEPTIC COMPOUNDING FORM |
View| Date: | 08/10/2024 |
| Rotation Type: | *PHRD 412 IPPE II (Health System) |
| Comments: | FORMULARY MANAGEMENT AND MEDICATION ADMINSTRATION FORM |
View| Date: | 08/09/2024 |
| Rotation Type: | *PHRD 412 IPPE II (Health System) |
| Comments: | MEDICATION AND ASEPTIC COMPOUNDING FORM |
View| Date: | 08/09/2024 |
| Rotation Type: | *PHRD 412 IPPE II (Health System) |
| Comments: | INTERPROFESSIONAL PRACTICE FORM THANK YOU |
View| Date: | 08/09/2024 |
| Rotation Type: | *PHRD 412 IPPE II (Health System) |
| Comments: | Please attached is student professionalism self evaluation Thank you |
View| Date: | 08/08/2024 |
| Rotation Type: | *PHRD 412 IPPE II (Health System) |
| Comments: | Please see attached formulary management and medication copy. Thank you |
View| Date: | 08/07/2024 |
| Rotation Type: | *PHRD 412 IPPE II (Health System) |
| Comments: | Please see attached medication reconciliation and discharge counseling form Thank you |
View| Date: | 08/07/2024 |
| Rotation Type: | *PHRD 412 IPPE II (Health System) |
| Comments: | Please see attached updated DI form. Thank you |
View| Date: | 08/06/2024 |
| Rotation Type: | *PHRD 412 IPPE II (Health System) |
| Comments: |
View| Date: | 08/04/2024 |
| Rotation Type: | *PHRD 412 IPPE II (Health System) |
| Comments: |
View| Date: | 08/04/2024 |
| Rotation Type: | *PHRD 412 IPPE II (Health System) |
| Comments: |
View| Date: | 08/01/2024 |
| Rotation Type: | *PHRD 412 IPPE II (Health System) |
| Comments: | Please attached is my DI question response. Very respectfully, Henry |
APPES REFLECTION
My longitudinal care experience last semester, which involved visiting a patient’s home to review and organize his medications, provided valuable insight into the challenges patients face with medication adherence and access. It strengthened my communication skills and deepened my appreciation for individualized, patient-centered care.Through numerous didactic courses such as advanced pharmacotherapy and clinical skills sessions in the CareLab, I have developed a strong foundation in pharmacotherapy, patient counseling, and medication safety. Off-campus activities such as Baltimore County senior health fair expo where I participated in preventive health measures such as blood pressure screening and immunizations further exposed me to diverse healthcare settings and strengthened my confidence in applying classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios.
These experiences have prepared me for the rigor and responsibility of APPE rotations. I selected rotation sites that align with my professional goals and interests. The advanced community pharmacy and ambulatory care rotations will enhance my ability to manage chronic diseases and provide direct patient care. I am especially excited about the opportunity to work with a pharmacist who is also a practicing lawyer, as this unique setting will allow me to explore the intersection of pharmacy and health law, a field I am increasingly interested in.
Together, these experiences and rotations will equip me with the clinical competence, professional judgment, and versatility needed to succeed in diverse pharmacy practice settings.
Reflection on a professional activity and how it connects to my potential career goals
One of the most meaningful professional activities I have engaged in is volunteering to serve meals to the homeless and recently released prisoners at our Daily bread employment center, downtown Baltimore. This experience deepened my understanding of the social determinants of health and the barriers underserved populations face in accessing basic needs, including healthcare and medications.
Combined with my longitudinal care experience and clinical training, this service reinforced my commitment to advancing health equity through pharmacy practice. It also sharpened my interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and compassion—qualities essential for patient-centered care.
As I prepare for APPE rotations in advanced community pharmacy, ambulatory care, and a unique setting involving a pharmacist-lawyer, I am increasingly drawn to a career that integrates direct patient care with advocacy and policy. I hope to work at the intersection of clinical pharmacy and healthcare justice, serving vulnerable populations while contributing to systemic improvements in access and accountability.
On October 06,3023, I volunteered to give flu shots to customers of Columbia Safeway grocery shop, an event that has significantly contributed to my personal and professional growth. As I reflect on this experience, I find strong connections between the skills learnt during this event and my career goals.
Clients on record and new ones were respectfully approached, and reminded on the need for annual flu shots. A few of the clients had concerns about the vaccines effectiveness in curing a potential influenza infection. In a calm and controlled manner, clients were educated on the fact that main purpose of the annual shots is to reduce their chances of infections and hospitalization.
Among the skills developed during this event are the following:
- Leadership: By being a team leader for one of the vaccination teams. I guided my peers towards achieving common objectives via making supplies readily available to the team members.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: The team was made up of fellow pharmacy students from other institutions and pharmacy technicians. Working closely with a diverse group of individuals enhanced my ability to collaborate effectively, respecting and valuing different perspectives.
- Communication and Problem-Solving: Some clients were reluctant to get the flu shot. The main fear of the vaccines was based on a widely held misconception that the vaccines made them more sick. Clients were educated about the potential side effects and allergies to the vaccine. In the end, many clients understood the fact that the benefits of the flu vaccine far outweigh the potential side effects.
In many ways, the skills and lessons learnt during this event aligns with my career goals. My desire is to service in the public health department of a county or state. I envisage that in many of my undertakings, I will need to form networks and build relationships to accomplish my mission of serving my clients. I will use the skills developed during this event as a template for my future working relationships.
Top of Form
On November 23, 2024, Group 1 of the Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) Class of 2026 participated in a meaningful advocacy task by volunteering at Our Daily Bread Employment Center, a Catholic charity organization dedicated to rehabilitating individuals who were previously incarcerated or experiencing homelessness. This organization plays a pivotal role in providing essential skills for employment readiness and ensuring meals are served daily to those in need.
Our team’s involvement was centered on sealing meals, a seemingly simple task but one that holds profound significance for the individuals served by the center. As we worked together, we were reminded of the importance of community and the shared responsibility to uplift those who face systemic barriers to stability and success. Besides our group, individuals from other organizations were also there giving back to the community through activities connected with feeding the needy. The repetitive motions of serving meals became a symbol of solidarity, care, and hope for a brighter future for every recipient.
One of the most striking aspects of this experience was the realization that many of those being served were individuals seeking a second chance—individuals who, despite past hardships or mistakes, were striving to rebuild their lives with dignity. The employment center’s efforts to not only feed but also empower these individuals stood as a testament to the transformative power of compassion paired with action.
This experience also served as a reminder of the privilege and opportunities many of us often take for granted. Contributing to such a cause highlighted the importance of humility and the need to advocate for systemic changes that address the root causes of poverty, homelessness, and recidivism. It challenged us to think critically about how we, as future professionals and citizens, can contribute to creating a society where everyone has the tools and support needed to thrive.
Finally, volunteering together fostered a sense of unity and purpose among us, reinforcing the values of empathy, service, and commitment to social justice that are foundational to our education at NDMU.
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