Ohio Northern University Raabe College of Pharmacy student Scott Alexander of Monroeville, Pa., co-authored an article with ONU pharmacy faculty member Natalie DiPietro Mager that was published in the May 2020 edition of Ohio Pharmacist.

The article, “What Role Can Pharmacists Play in Preventive Medicine?” examines how pharmacists can best be at the forefront of the call by the National Institutes of Health to improve the implementation of preventive services and reduce health disparities.

Alexander is a graduate of Gateway High School.

Ohio Pharmacist is a publication of the Ohio Pharmacists Association, and the published paper is the outcome of Alexander’s capstone project in ONU’s Honors Program and a continuation to research Alexander conducted under the tutelage of DiPietro Mager, professor of pharmacy practice.

“The article was a follow-up on our research if Ohio community pharmacists are performing recommended screening services in their places of work,” Alexander said.

“Our article focused on the existing tools that community pharmacists can use to help put these services into practice. It just seemed like the next logical step, after conducting research into who is performing these services and what barriers exist, to suggest tools that can be used to implement these services.”

The paper was part of a larger effort that included several professional enhancement opportunities.

“Scott completed an independent research project that resulted in presentations at state and national meetings as well as two peer-reviewed articles,” DiPietro Mager explained. “We then had the opportunity to write this article for practicing pharmacists. Scott gained not only skills related to data collection and analysis but also to communication.”

“These types of experiences are invaluable, and in many cases, can help set up a trajectory for students that influences their overall career paths and goals. At a minimum, these experiences provide opportunities to enhance necessary skills for the student’s future profession,” DiPietro Mager said.

The Ohio Northern Honors Program offers ONU students occasions to realize their potential and participate in unique learning opportunities that expand their horizons during their college careers.

“The honors program has been a great addition to my college experience at ONU,” Alexander said. “It allowed me to have two extra publications on my CV and also provided the opportunity to take exciting classes that exist outside of pharmacy yet matter to my education and personal growth.”

DiPietro Mager said, “The honors program is a fantastic venue for students who want to go above and beyond the core curriculum for their program. It provides a community of fellow students who pursue scholarly excellence, and through the program, students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of exciting academic experiences.”