Student Committee Bridges Recreation, Education with Community Outreach

Through the Pharmacy Committee of Recreational Activities (PCRA), a group of PharmD students is fostering a supportive environment for their peers while inspiring the next generation of health care professionals.

Originally founded to enhance wellness opportunities within the UCSF School of Pharmacy, the PCRA has evolved to include educational outreach, introducing elementary and high school students from the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) to the diversity of pharmacy roles in the health care system.

The group aims to support both mental and physical health, balancing recreational activities––like a basketball game featuring Department of Clinical Pharmacy faculty members Conan MacDougall, PharmD, MAS, and Bani Tamraz, PharmD, PhD––with community-building.

“We started PCRA as a way to bring more recreational activities to our students, but we quickly saw the potential to have a bigger impact,” said Jerril Jacob, PRCA’s president and PharmD Class of 2025 student.

Igniting early interest in pharmacy careers

In its first year, the PCRA connected with UCSF’s Center for Science Education and Outreach (CSEO) to teach weekly at Mission Bay Hub, a program of the San Francisco Unified School District that unites students from four high schools in a wide variety of learning activities related to health, life sciences, and other STEM-aligned fields. The group, which has more than 30 members, plans to continue the partnership this year, expanding opportunities for pharmacy students to engage with the community by discussing their experiences in pharmacy school and also their future careers.

Jacob said he is most excited about expanding the group’s mentorship program to elementary school students through a continuing relationship with the UCSF Science and Health Education Partnership (SEP).

 “We’ve found funding to develop a curriculum that introduces elementary school students to the world of pharmacy, with a focus on real-world issues like pediatric type 2 diabetes,” said Jacob. “We plan to educate students about diabetes risk factors and emphasize the importance of physical activity to prevent early onset of the disease.”

PCRA Vice President Isabel Willner, PharmD Class of 2025 student, emphasized the importance of making health care education accessible to all ages. “When I was growing up, science was a big part of my homeschooling experience. We did projects, went on trips, and really engaged with the material,” she said. “This early exposure to science got me interested in pharmacy. We hope that by introducing elementary students to these concepts, we can inspire a similar curiosity and passion for health care.”

PCRA is also broadening its scope by partnering with the CSEO’s CURE Internship Program, which connects high school students from underrepresented backgrounds with different labs at UCSF.

“We had the opportunity to introduce high school students to biomedical research, and the students asked great questions about what pharmacy school is like and what the profession encompasses,” said Noelle Vo, PRCA’s director of internal affairs and PharmD Class of 2025 student. “It’s rewarding to see their curiosity and excitement about the field.”

Embracing diversity, building on success

With a continued focus on connecting students from various backgrounds, the PCRA is planning a science fair along with more recreational events, like video game tournaments and flag football. The goal, said Jacob, is to create lasting connections.

“These events are great for building a sense of community and helping us unwind during the demanding pharmacy program,” said Rhea Misra, PCRA’s director of public relations and PharmD Class of 2026 student. “One of the things that has been so successful with these programs is that when we share our stories, students see that there isn’t just one path to a career in pharmacy. This diversity in experience helps us relate to the students and helps them see the possibilities for themselves.”

More

• Pharmacy Committee of Recreational Activities

• Center for Science Education and Outreach (CSEO)

• Mission Bay Hub

• CURE Internship Program