This summer, Lance Dillon is living his passion to “provide the best care possible to the nation’s underserved.”
The Ohio Northern University pharmacy student is interning at the Albuquerque Indian Health Clinic, which serves Native Americans and their surrounding Pueblo communities in New Mexico.
“I’m giving my all while helping those who need it most,” he said.
Lance’s internship is with the Junior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (JRCOSTEP) through the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corp. The competitive program enables students in health-related undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs to train alongside active-duty officers in a variety of federal governmental agencies.
“Through this experience, I’ve witnessed pharmacists acting at the highest scope of practice to allow patients to receive needed, quality healthcare.”
Spending his days rotating between an outpatient clinic and a pharmacy clinic, Lance is learning about anticoagulation management, tobacco cessation, diabetes management, Hep C management, and HIV PrEP. He’s counseled patients, provided alterations to medication regimens for optimal care, taken on special projects, and been invited to attend an officer meeting.
“The ability to manage nearly all aspects of a patient’s condition is a huge responsibility, and one I certainly didn’t expect to experience as a pharmacy student. However, it’s truly rewarding to see the life-changing impact you can have.”
In his free time, Lance has climbed the Sandia Mountains, sampled New Mexico cuisine flavored with the “infamous red and green chiles,” and explored the ancient Chaco Canyon.
He says his ONU education has prepared him to juggle the challenging demands of a busy clinic with a large range of services. He’s especially grateful for the guidance and support of Dr. Karen Kier and Dr. Jake Marvin, and for the endless support from his family and friends.
After graduation, Lance plans to join the Public Health Commissioned Corps.