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For the past eleven years, our students have participated in short term global health mission trips.
Their purpose?
To provide medical care in an interdisciplinary team setting in rural areas that have limited resources and fragmented healthcare.
Our students learn how to provide culturally-competent care in a global healthcare setting, setting up “mobile” pharmacies and clinics, dispensing medications, counseling patients, and assisting providers with medication selection. These experiences not only give them hands-on training, but teach a level of compassion and patient care that cannot be learned in a classroom.
In 2025, our students will be traveling to Ghana, Belize and Jamaica and they need your help!
Your gift will help offset travel expenses for our students and send them with enough medical supplies to treat all of those in need that they encounter.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR STUDENTS
Sarah is currently a fourth-year pharmacy student attending University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She completed her first undergraduate career at The University of Akron. She grew up in Cleveland, OH. Her goal is to pursue a career in hospital or ambulatory pharmacy. She is not 100% sure what she wants to do yet.
"The main reason I want to go on mission trips is to be able to help the underserved population. It’s a privilege to be able to apply the knowledge we have learned from pharmacy school in another country. I hope to help people of all backgrounds and learn from them at the same time."
Selvi is currently completing her last year of pharmacy school at the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She will also be receiving her Masters in Business Administration this May. She hopes to be a clinical pharmacy specialist with particular interests in solid organ transplantation, oncology and pharmacy leadership.
"Attending a second mission trip to Ghana will provide invaluable exposure to global health challenges, enhancing my cultural competence and ability to work in diverse clinical environments—skills essential for a future clinical pharmacist. Interacting with healthcare providers and patients in resource-limited settings will sharpen my problem-solving abilities and adaptability, which are critical for my future in patient-centered care. It is a privilege to be able to pursue such an opportunity and combine both dual degrees to serve others while experiencing a culture other than my own. Overall, this mission trip will be a stepping stone in my journey to becoming a well-rounded clinical pharmacist who can contribute meaningfully to both local and global health initiatives."
Ridhi Sharma, a resident of Long Island, NY, is currently in her fourth and final year of studying pharmacy at the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. As she approaches the culmination of her studies, Ridhi has set her sights on a career in the pharmaceutical industry. Her particular interests lie in medical affairs and medical strategy, areas where she believes she can make a significant impact. Ridhi's ultimate goal is to leverage her future industry experiences to broaden her influence on global patient care. She aspires to contribute to increasing access to medications for rare diseases while fostering innovation and research in the field.
"My primary motivation for participating in my third international mission trip is to extend assistance to individuals who lack access to critical healthcare services. In numerous underserved or remote global regions, basic healthcare is either scarce or completely unavailable. These medical mission trips offer an avenue for healthcare professionals to deliver vital medical services to these areas, directly addressing the immediate requirements of the local population. My driving force is a deep sense of compassion, accompanied by a strong desire to mitigate suffering. I firmly believe that delivering medical care to those in need constitutes a fundamental humanitarian act that can substantially enhance the well-being of both individuals and entire communities."
Jason is currently a second-year pharmacy student from Long Island, NY, attending University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. He is part of UB’s 6-Year Early Assurance Program, where he completed his undergraduate career during the first two years. His goal is to continue postgraduate training in a fellowship, where he will further develop his professional career in a pharmaceutical company.
“My primary motivation for wanting to participate in this medical mission trip stems from my commitment to global health and my desire to apply my pharmacy teachings in a setting that greatly contrasts what I am accustomed to. This opportunity aligns with my career goals of becoming more empathetic and globally aware as a pharmacist who not only understands the diverse medical needs of populations from varying backgrounds, but also actively works to address them. With this medical mission trip, I will be able to further broaden my professional and personal perspectives.”
Katelyn is currently a third-year pharmacy student attending the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She began her academic journey at UB as part of the Early Assurance PharmD program, where she completed two years of undergraduate prerequisite coursework before transitioning directly into pharmacy school. She is from Ballston Spa, NY. Her goal is to pursue postgraduate training through a pharmacy residency program after graduation, where she hopes to further her education and deepen her pharmacy expertise.
"My motivation for going on the mission trip to Belize is to provide care and healthcare services to underserved populations, as well as gain a deeper understanding of pharmacy practice in another country. It is very important to give back to the community, and this is a great opportunity to apply my professional training in a setting where care may be most needed. Additionally, I hope to expand my pharmacy knowledge by learning about healthcare practices in a different country and culture, which will help me become a better healthcare provider."
Tyler is currently a third-year pharmacy student attending the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She entered the pharmacy program through UB's Early Assurance 2+4 program. Her goal is to pursue a residency after graduation to obtain a position as a clinical pharmacist, and her current interests are psychiatry and reproductive health. "I want to go on global mission trips to gain perspective on how pharmacy practice differs throughout the world, and how pharmacists can make a difference for individual patients and larger populations on a national and global scale."
Madison is a current third-year Doctor of Pharmacy Student at the University at Buffalo school of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical sciences. She was born and raised in Buffalo and completed the pre-pharmacy track at UB for her undergrad. She is unsure exactly which specialty of pharmacy she wants to purse; however, is leaning towards clinical pharmacy, specifically in an acute setting.
“My biggest reasons for wanting to travel to Ghana is to understand how healthcare operates in other countries and to provide care to people who may otherwise not have access to it. I believe that this will provide me with more cultural awareness and help in developing my professional identity."
Dimah Alani a second-year pharmacy student in University at Buffalo school of p harmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. I have a bachelor's in biomedical sciences and associate degree in natural sciences. I am currently working at Sisters of Charity Hospital as pharmacy intern, and at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in the Clinical Research department of GYN and Breast cancer. My goal is to work in Pharmaceutical industry filed and do residency in either neurology or cardiology. My main reason for participating in this medical mission trip is because I come from an underserved community myself. I aspire to be able to apply my current knowledge in foreign countries and help as many patients as I can as a student pharmacist. I hope to gain all insight possible about how the healthcare system differs around the world and apply that into helping patients from all backgrounds.
Sumin Kim is currently a second-year pharmacy student at the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She entered the pharmacy program at UB after obtaining a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has experience volunteering at the Lighthouse Free Medical Clinic and interning at CVS. Her goal is to pursue post-graduate training in a residency program.
" I want to go on a mission trip is my interest in interprofessional collaboration by learning from and working alongside professionals from different healthcare fields. I believe in the power of effective communication and patient education to empower individuals managing their health. Being able to serve as a bridge between the underserved community and medical care is something I am truly passionate about. I want to be able to reach out to the underserved population, understand their unique needs, and ensure they have access to the medications and care they require."
Nathan is currently a P3 PharmD student at the University at Buffalo. He completed his undergraduate degree in Biology at Clarkson University. He grew up near Erie, PA and is currently looking to work in Pediatrics pharmacy in the hospital setting. The main reason for wanting to experience this mission trip is to "Learn and help those who need it the most. It is not every day one receives the opportunity to experience a different culture and way of life while providing everyday care for those in need. I believe some of the greatest learning experiences can come from outside of the typical setting seen in school and work. Experiences like this are far and few in-between and provide education that is impossible to replicate. I can not wait to travel and care for those outside the U.S."
