Meet Our Student Pharmacist for August, Grace Kilbane!
Please stop in and meet our student pharmacist, Grace Kilbane, who will be with us for the entire month of August. Grace is joined this month by future pharmacist, Ann Kuttothara, who is also a fourth year Ohio State pharmacy student. Give Grace and Ann hearty welcomes and make them fall in love with our special community!
Here is what Grace tells us about herself. We’ll introduce Ann in a follow up blog later in the week.
“I have always loved the outdoors and spent hours ‘creeking’ (catching frogs and hunting salamanders) in the Delaware county area where I grew up. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Biology from Loyola University of Chicago, where I worked my way through summers as a scientific diver researching fish behavior in Lake Michigan. Next, I earned my Masters (MS) degree in Ecology from THE Ohio State University studying aquatic invertebrate responses to hydraulic stress during Midwestern floods.
“My first career as a freshwater biologist carried me to many exotic and interesting places including New Zealand, Vancouver, Idaho, Seattle, Texas, Colorado, New Orleans, Florida, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and West Virginia. During this time, I did many jobs from collecting and identifying aquatic invertebrates to underwater endangered species surveys. I became adept at piloting small boats, communicating underwater, and managing resources.
“After all this globetrotting, my wanderlust finally wore off and I moved back to the city where I was born to settle down and find a more stable career with less travel. I began working as a pharmacy technician in 2007 and it didn’t take long for me to fall in love all over again–this time with a different career. I enrolled as a continuing education student to finish off my pre-requisites for application to pharmacy school while working the night shift at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. I started the Doctor of Pharmacy program in the fall of 2010 and expect to graduate in May of 2014.
“The one thing I was missing throughout my previous career was a connection with people. I hope to go into community pharmacy to fulfill this need and to make a difference in the lives of individuals. Although I’ve contemplated individual ownership, I’m not quite sure I’m ready to make that step and so I’m very interested in learning more about how a successful independent business operates. I am eager to learn as much as I possibly can both in management and in the compounding lab during my time at Plain City Druggist. I’m proud to be called a Student Pharmacist and a student of pharmacy!
“When I’m not studying or working, I find inspiration in endurance training. I consider every new accomplishment as a triumph of the human spirit and am constantly amazed at what someone can accomplish when they commit to a goal. I completed several half marathons and several 100 mile bike rides, including the 2-day, 220 mile Tour of the Scioto River Valley that rides from Columbus to Portsmouth and back again. I play recreational softball with the Ohio State department of Entomology on a team endearingly called ‘The Maggots.’ I also enjoy gardening, hiking, camping, canoeing, traveling, and giving back to the community. I volunteer regularly for the New Life Free Clinic, have donated over 2 gallons of blood to the American Red Cross, and am a member of the Franklin County and Columbus Medical Reserve Corps.”
Thanks Jacob! I appreciate your vote of confidence! Come in and see me this month, I’d love to meet you. I have already had such a great experience with Plain City Druggist, I’m so lucky to have this experience!
Sincerely, Grace
Congratulation to Grace!
I have read your biography and it is very interesting to read about your skills and past experience of personal and professional life.
I believe that you will have a bright future in Pharmacy.
Good luck for your future.