Community Medical Centers exemplify the spirit of the Site of the Year Award. Learners consistently describe a welcoming, supportive environment where they feel like valued team members. Students are encouraged to collaborate, contribute meaningfully, and explore diverse learning experiences while pursuing their own interests. A key strength is the preceptor team, described as approachable and deeply invested in student growth. Through high-quality teaching and thoughtful feedback, preceptors create a space where learners feel comfortable asking questions, learning from mistakes, and building confidence. At the same time, preceptors challenge students to think critically and work more independently. Students are trusted as active members of the healthcare team, taking on real responsibilities as they grow from observers to contributors in patient care. This balance of support and challenge fosters an exceptional learning environment, leaving learners with stronger skills and a lasting sense of belonging. For all these reasons, Community Medical Centers are a clear example of what this award is meant to recognize. 

Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital provides an exceptional APPE learning environment distinguished by its supportive culture, passionate staff, and commitment to student growth. Across disciplines, team members foster a welcoming atmosphere where students feel valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully to patient care. Learners benefit from strong interprofessional collaboration, with pharmacists, nurses, and physicians actively engaging students in clinical decision-making and seeking their input. The site offers diverse, hands-on experiences—including participation in high-acuity events such as code blues, stroke alerts, and rapid responses, as well as exposure to critical procedures—allowing students to build confidence and refine essential clinical skills. Faculty and staff demonstrate a deep dedication to teaching, consistently creating rich learning opportunities and sharing their expertise. Collectively, this environment cultivates professional development, reinforces clinical competence, and provides an outstanding foundation for students entering pharmacy practice and is incredibly deserving of the Site of the Year award. 

Students consistently describe Partnership HealthPlan of California as an exceptional rotation site that offers a welcoming, intellectually stimulating, and highly supportive learning environment. They highlight a culture of open dialogue and collaboration, where thoughtful questions are encouraged and continuous improvement is prioritized.

A standout aspect of the experience is the opportunity for meaningful engagement with leadership, including direct access to executives and even the CEO, which provides valuable insight into organizational decision-making. Students also commend the staff for their strong engagement, approachability, and willingness to support learners.

In addition to a positive workplace culture, the site is recognized for its commitment to professional development. Students benefit from training opportunities that strengthen communication skills, resume building, and overall career readiness, as well as guidance in developing their professional portfolios. Thoughtful touches, such as convenient amenities, further enhance the overall experience.

Collectively, these comments reflect a site that not only fosters learning and growth but also provides unique exposure, mentorship, and resources that leave a lasting impact on students.

Students describe Zuckerberg San Francisco General Ambulatory Care Services as an exceptional and transformative rotation site that provides meaningful exposure to underserved populations in the Bay Area. Working in settings like the Tenderloin and Ward 86, learners gain firsthand experience with complex social and healthcare challenges, including HIV specialty care and barriers to access, reinforcing the critical role pharmacists play in advancing health equity.

The rotation is consistently praised for fostering independence and professional growth, with students noting significant development in their confidence, clinical thinking, and identity as pharmacists in a short period of time. Many describe the experience as both challenging and deeply rewarding, leaving them with a strong sense of purpose and impact.

Students also highlight the uniqueness of the site, particularly its role as a safety-net institution, and the opportunity to work closely with diverse patient populations. Overall, these experiences inspire a lasting commitment to patient-centered care and emphasize the meaningful difference healthcare providers can make in underserved communities.

Cedars-Sinai offers a dynamic, well-resourced setting with broad exposure across acute care, ambulatory care, specialized pharmacy services, and systems-based practice. Students gain meaningful insight into the operations of a large health system, including clinical workflows, care coordination, and real-world clinical decision-making. This breadth, combined with strong operational exposure, allows learners to develop a comprehensive and practical understanding of pharmacy practice.

Preceptors are consistently described as enthusiastic, approachable, and deeply committed to teaching. The culture fosters curiosity, values student contributions, and integrates learners into multidisciplinary teams, where they actively participate in patient care, contribute during rounds, and engage in high-value projects. These experiences promote both autonomy and the development of a strong professional identity as student pharmacists.

Equally notable is the site’s welcoming and inclusive environment. Faculty and staff prioritize mentorship, accessibility, and personalization, with approachable leadership and preceptors ensuring each rotation is tailored and meaningful.

The UCSF School of Pharmacy proudly recognizes Cedars-Sinai as the 2026 Southern California APPE Site of the Year for its excellence in education, innovation, and mentorship, and the breadth of clinical and operational experiences.