College Programs Write Rx for Health Care Needs
Published May 27, 2008
Texas A&M-Kingsville’s Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy is housed in a new building on the campus.
Two campuses in the Coastal Bend region are working hard to stem the nationwide shortage of nurses and pharmacists.
At Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, a new $45 million building for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences will provide more room for the growing nursing program. Opening is expected in fall 2009 or spring 2010. The number of undergraduate and graduate students in the nursing program, about 480, has grown by 33 percent over the past five years. The program’s popularity has resulted in waiting lists and faculty shortages, leading to the decision to expand to meet students’ needs. The university’s online program also is experiencing rapid growth, with students from as far away as Alaska.
“Students can access courses any time in any place and complete the clinical portion of the program in their community,” says Dr. Mary Jane Hamilton, dean. “This is another way to address the nursing shortage. Many of these students have a second degree. They are independent learners, often with small children. We try hard to accommodate everyone’s needs so they can reach their goals.”
Online students may enroll in classes every five weeks instead of the traditional semester. Once enrolled, they have a year to complete the course. Local students benefit from the program’s ties to the area’s health care community, Dr. Hamilton says.
“Everyone keeps in touch with us about job opportunities for students and asking what they can do to be more appealing to students,” Dr. Hamilton says. “If you have someone who has gone to school here, it takes a lot less time and money for them to be productive very quickly.”
At the Texas A&M Health Science Center, the Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy’s second year is underway. The region’s first pharmacy program enrolls about 76 new students a year. More than 600 applicants vied for spots in the 2007-08 class.
“We want to be a powerhouse for pharmacy training in the region,” says Dr. Indra Reddy, dean. The pharmacy college, which is housed in a new building, is the only one in the Texas A&M University System.
With at least half of each class coming from South Texas, Dr. Reddy hopes to keep some of the best and brightest in the Coastal Bend and the Rio Grande Valley to care for underserved populations. Dr. Reddy also aims to have a nationally recognized program, noting applicants’ top-tier test scores and his high standards for hiring faculty.
“People wondered what kind of students we would attract in this region,” Dr. Reddy says. “We will let our actions speak for themselves.”
The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education awarded the HSC-Rangel College of Pharmacy “candidate” status in mid-2007. That was the second step toward full accreditation, which can occur only after the school graduates its first class.
Story by Leanne Libby
Photo by Brian McCord
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