Palm Beach Atlantic’s Lloyd L. Gregory School of Pharmacy recently celebrated its partnership with North Greenville University (NGU). University leaders gathered to mark the occasion with a public signing event on NGU’s Tigerville Campus.
The partnership, which began in 2019, allows NGU biology majors interested in a career in pharmacy to earn a bachelor’s degree from NGU by completing their final undergraduate year as a first-year student in the Doctor of Pharmacy program at PBA. Students will continue with the three remaining years of the pharmacy program at PBA to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Because of COVID-19, the schools were unable to come together to celebrate the joint venture until this month.
Students can serve, teach and bring healing to those in need while continuing their education in a program that integrates faith into the learning process and offers small class sizes and life-changing medical mission trips in a Christian environment set in beautiful West Palm Beach.
In attendance at the signing event were Palm Beach Atlantic President Dr. Debra A. Schwinn, Gregory School of Pharmacy Dean Dr. Dana A. Strachan, NGU Provost and Dean of the University Faculty Dr. Nathan A. Finn, NGU Executive Vice President Rich Grimm, NGU PA Director Dr. Jordan Hairr, NGU Dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences Dr. Paul H. Thompson and NGU’s Associate Dean of the School of Science and Math Dr. Jeff French.
Commenting on this partnership, Schwinn said, “I am confident that this partnership will produce graduates who are compassionate, servant-hearted healthcare providers that our nation and world desperately need. Here at PBA, we will continue to awaken students’ hearts to their God-given purpose in the world.”
Added Strachan: “At the Lloyd L. Gregory School of Pharmacy, we remain dedicated to our mission of Pharmacy with Faith. We are committed to training servant leaders who are patient care advocates. This collaboration with NGU is an opportunity for our pharmacy program. Undoubtedly, these high quality, missionally-aligned students coming from NGU will further strengthen the quality of our pharmacy program.”
NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr., is thrilled with this partnership.
“The faculty at the Gregory School of Pharmacy are an incredible group of scholars and teachers, and they are also genuine Christ-followers and mentors; it was my privilege to work alongside them when I served as Provost at PBA,” said Fant. “Our institutions not only have shared values but a shared vision of what it means to be believers in the marketplace. We look forward to students having this great opportunity to serve patients back here in Upstate and in a global context.”
Identified students with completed applications who meet the standards of the dual degree program will be guaranteed an interview, conditional on final and successful completion of all prerequisites, and if applicable, entrance examination.
Career opportunities available to Pharm.D. graduates are chain pharmacy, community pharmacy, compounding pharmacy, health system pharmacy, ambulatory care, community health center, long term care, specialty pharmacy, research and development, pharmacy law, and government/federal pharmacy.
Said Finn, “I could hardly be more excited about this new partnership with Palm Beach Atlantic. Their pharmacy program has an excellent reputation, and as a sister school committed to Christ-centered education, we know they share with us a desire to root the health sciences in the Christian worldview. I believe many of our students will benefit from this partnership and learn how to care for others, including the underserved, as pharmacists.”
Photo: North Greenville University’s Dr. Nathan Finn and Dr. Gene C. Fant pose for a photo with PBA President Dr. Debra A. Schwinn and Lloyd L. Gregory School of Pharmacy Dean Dr. Dana A. Strachan at a signing ceremony celebrating their schools’ partnership for the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program.
