US Pharm. 2007;32(3)(student suppl):4-5.

It seems at least a quarter of the prescription consults I give as a pharmacy intern end with patients inquiring about the College of Pharmacy at Touro University-California. "Never heard of it," they say, spotting the school's emblem on my white coat. Even some of the pharmacists I work with have wondered about the California pharmacy school I attend.

Understandably, there is a lack of name recognition for Touro University-California College of Pharmacy. The program is in its second year of the accreditation process and has had no more than 145 students in its classrooms. I like to believe it is my class's duty and privilege to get the word out about Touro. We are, after all, the charter class--the first class to go through the developing curriculum and the first that will graduate from the program. Telling others about Touro is the least we, the charter students, can do in return for the opportunities the program has given us.

The College of Pharmacy
One of the newest additions to pharmacy academia, Touro is a Jewish-sponsored university, established in 1997 and located in the San Francisco Bay area. The College of Pharmacy was the fourth college established on the Touro campus, which also serves as home for programs in the fields of medicine, education, and health sciences.

Touro offers a four-year PharmD program, which includes a two-year didactic plus two-year clinical rotations model not seen in other national pharmacy schools. It is proposed that the two years of clerkships will help pharmacists develop a higher level of clinical preparation.

But beyond these characteristics I might consider "brochure" material, the college has some unique attributes I feel compelled to discuss. The Touro faculty and staff, led by Dean Katherine Knapp and Associate Deans Debra Sasaki-Hill and Paul Goldsmith, has made a promise to be there for the students throughout our endeavor. Knowing that these administrators' doors are always open--even after office hours--makes such a difference. Whether our conversations are about the deeper pharmacy experience, the Beatles, or about a personal loss or struggle, it is amazing to see how our staff blurs the lines between being mentors and caring friends.

Touro's heavy emphasis on group work is another notable characteristic. Our class of 63 is divided into ten teams so we can participate in Student Group Discussions (SGDs). These daily sessions supplement our lectures and encourage group process through presentations, debates, clinical skits, and other active learning assignments. Students who enjoy flexing their creativity and imagination will find much to like here. SGDs also provide a nice break from the traditional lecturing routine, giving us time to socialize and to help each other understand difficult topics. Through teamwork, SGDs promote greater appreciation of our classmates as both friends and professionals.

The "Charter Class Experience"
There is a tremendous concern that goes with being a student at a newly established college of pharmacy that is still working toward full accreditation. Transitioning into a professional college is difficult in its own right, but to do so with no other pharmacy classes to intermingle with makes for a potentially isolating experience. The Touro PharmD candidate is responsible for his or her professional growth and development, in addition to the growth and development of the PharmD program. Why, then, would students accept the uncertainty and demands that come with attending an unproven college?

Many of my peers said they chose Touro because they wanted the challenges, rewards, and opportunities that come with being trailblazers. This ambitious spirit is why I am here as well. We understood the risks involved, but we also saw the bigger picture at Touro and found endless possibilities.

Both faculty and students rose to the challenge of being first and have brought into fruition nearly everything we felt our college needed. A few of my peers became class officers to set a precedent for future classes. Some helped establish community outreach programs. One person even offered homemade drug information cards to the class. Clubs were started, national association applications were completed, weekly newsletters were published, and even pharmacy apparel was designed and sold. Our greatest feat, however, was that our college achieved "candidate status" in our first year of eligibility. Considering how much hard work we put into our first year, this is something we are unabashedly proud of.

Not many pharmacy students get the chance to play with an empty canvas. On our arrival, there was so much to do, and it is amazing to look back at what we have accomplished. Besides the education we have received and the friends we have made, being able to see what creativity and enthusiasm can achieve is truly one of the greatest gifts Touro has given us.

Opportunity in Our Responsibility
Providing feedback to staff regarding the college's ongoing development is no doubt one of the most significant responsibilities given to the charter class. The program is still in a fluid state, and the faculty made it clear that student input is essential in shaping all aspects of the program's structure. Indeed, a plethora of communication channels have been made available for us to express our honest assessment of the curriculum, professors, learning atmosphere, and other issues of significance.

Curriculum meetings, in which the program's work and progress is discussed, are students' most significant opportunity to shape the learning environment. Student representatives present our comments and concerns to the staff for deliberation at these meetings. We have seen many progressive outcomes as a result. One of our biggest contributions has been helping to synchronize our biology, pharmaceutics, clinical, and social/behavioral courses to make our learning experience more effective.

The Future
It really is a gift to have our voices heard and appreciated. Having this much impact on the College of Pharmacy's growth was not something I'd anticipated. I realize now how tremendous and essential the role of the charter class is in breathing life into the vision of a developing college.

Of course, we are only the beginning at Touro. We look to future classes and faculty to continue the evolution of the program and take it to new frontiers. With so much to be done and many more opportunities ahead, I am excited to see what Touro has in store for pharmacy. Obviously, I am also looking forward to seeing what my peers and I have in store for pharmacy as professionals.

The charter class has made history, but it will be in the future when we will ardently make the grand strides in our profession and our community. If you've never heard of us, trust me, you will soon enough.

Thanks to Dr. Aglaia Panos, Dr. James Kuperberg, Richard Hornstein, Kelly LeDaniel Atkins, and Kelly Fowler for your contributions.