Guided by her caring outlook, pharmacy major Veronica Butts is forging her own path at Ohio Northern University. From a Dominican Republic mission trip to an honors project using healing touch with the elderly, she is finding ways to serve others and connect with people from diverse backgrounds.
Veronica traces her desire to become a pharmacist to her 8th grade year, when her dad experienced a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. As her family gathered in her dad’s hospital room, anxious and confused, a kindly hospital pharmacist came in and provided information on her dad’s blood-thinning medicine and how it would affect his life going forward.
“I had never seen a pharmacist in that role,” she said. “It was great to see someone comforting a family like that, and it made a big impact on me.”
In addition to studying pharmacy, Veronica is obtaining a minor in Spanish for Healthcare Professionals. She learned Spanish from her mom, who immigrated to the U.S. from Colombia, but is growing her knowledge of the language and Hispanic cultures to better serve patients.
“My main passion is to be able to communicate with a larger population of patients,” she said. “I want to bridge the gap with translation services so that patients receive the best care possible.”
A recent mission trip to the Dominican Republic with ONU’s Nursing without Borders group enabled her to test her skills. On home visits with the medical staff, she translated and offered medication expertise. The small children in the villages clamored around her, excited that she could communicate with them.
“It was an amazing experience,” she said. “I was able to apply everything I had learned and also see where people lived and how different life and healthcare is in a different country.”
As a member of the Honors Program, Veronica explored her interest in “compassionate touch” for a capstone project. She enlisted fellow pharmacy students in participating in a spa-day event at Vancrest of Ada, a local assisted living facility.
“We provided hand massages and a listening ear,” she said. “They enjoyed the personal touch and the chance to interact with students.”
Additionally, Veronica sings alto with the University Singers; serves as an Orientation Leader and Good News Bear; is a member of the Delta Zeta sorority; and participates in several student organizations.
“I am proud to be an ONU student because ONU produces such well-rounded individuals,” she said. “The campus is filled with genuine people who really care about one another.”