Pharm.D. Student Learns to Serve Beyond the Classroom

Pharm.D. Student Learns to Serve Beyond the Classroom

After years of rigorous coursework, Sydney Free knew UToledo had shaped her into a capable pharmacist. But it wasn't until she stepped onto a bus headed for the rural clinics of Central America that she truly understood the power of that training.

Earlier this year, Free, who is graduating Friday, May 1, with her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree, took part in a medical mission trip to Guatemala. The immersive global health experience allowed UToledo pharmacy students to serve communities where access to medical care is often limited or nonexistent.

"There's no way for me to adequately describe how much this trip meant to me," Free said. "We were serving rural communities where access to medical care is truly a luxury."

Over the course of nine unforgettable days, the medical mission team operated clinics across multiple communities, working nearly 70 hours in just six days. Long shifts were paired with grueling journeys - including 14 hours spent traveling by bus - all in service of patients who often waited months or years to receive care.

The impact was substantial. The team helped care for 1,500 patients and filled more than 2,400 prescriptions. Working with a limited formulary of medications, the students relied heavily on their foundational knowledge, got creative and adapted on the fly.

"With each passing day, I could feel my clinical skills growing," she said. "I had to adapt quickly, think critically and find solutions in stressful situations. It pushed me to apply everything I had learned in the classroom to the real world."

Beyond the numbers and the clinical experience, the human connections left the deepest mark. Free listened to stories from community members who had fought tirelessly to advocate for medical treatment for their loved ones. She also helped teach and empower a future generation of local health promoters, individuals who will continue providing care long after the mission team returned home.

"The gratitude was overwhelming," Free said. "The hugs, the heartfelt thank-yous - one community member even told us they keep the team in their prayers every day. That put everything into perspective."

"I am stronger because of how I pushed myself on this mission," she said. "Seeing the compassion, teamwork and dedication from every member of the healthcare team is something that will stay with me forever."

Dr. Katy Dulgar, an assistant lecturer and clinical pharmacist in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, said that Free is going to be an exceptional pharmacist.