Diplomat wraps up second summer of internship, fellowship programs

FLINT, Mich. — Diplomat Pharmacy this week wrapped up its second summer internship and fellowship program, which saw 10 fellows and 25 interns spend 12 weeks gaining hands-on experience in different departments of the specialty pharmacy. 

 

“This group of Diplomat Fellows and Interns has far exceeded our expectations,” Diplomat CEO and Chairman Phil Hagerman said. “We knew there was an interest in summer programs like these, but the caliber of students and the impact they've had here are nothing short of inspiring."

 

Interns and fellows at Diplomat spent the summer working on projects with the company’s experts while exploring their own areas of interest at the same time as a way of exploring potential career paths. 

 

"Not only am I learning about disease states and treatments that are not the core focus of most pharmacy school curricula, I am also learning about the applications of business, finance, marketing and more—all related to pharmacy," education and quality intern Lisa Chen, an Education and Quality intern. "Everything I see and do here is a skill that could be applicable to different situations in my future as a pharmacist."

 

In addition to the company’s internship program, Diplomat also sponsored a summer Fellowship for Social impact, in which 10 fellows lived in Flint, meeting with community leaders to develop a program, organization or proposal that would have a large impact in an urban community. Students from the University of Michigan, Wayne State University and others fine-tuned their proposals over the course of the summer to meet inner-city needs, and were involved in over 200 hours of community service. 

 

Fellow Andrew Koprowski’s back-to-school backpack program provided backpacks filled with school supplies to 100 children at the beginning of the school year through the local Boys and Girls Club. 

 

"Partnering with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Flint to create the backpack program has been an inspirational journey," Koprowski said. "I am proud to serve students from the Flint community and provide them with essential school supplies. Being prepared is the first step toward academic success."

 

Among the other efforts from fellows were a mobile app that showcased downtown Flint, a mentorship program plan, a career workshop for men with criminal records, and a plan to address homelessness and abandoned houses, among others. 

 

"We believe students will be interested in the energy here," Hagerman said. "We believe in making an impact in the lives of our patients, our clients and in our community."