UB Pharmacy students impact communities during medical trips abroad

Over winter break, our PharmD students, fellows and faculty participated in two short-term global health experiences as part of our Global Health Initiatives program. The program, now in its eleventh year, teaches students how to address global health concerns in international populations.

Each year, UB’s health sciences schools collaborate on short-term global health experiences. Our pharmacy students work with peer students in medicine, nursing, dentistry and public health, learning the value of teamwork in delivering high-quality patient care.

“Working in an interprofessional team, I witnessed firsthand how effective collaboration between pharmacists, physicians and other health care professionals like nurses and social workers can optimize patient outcomes,” says Selvi Chhabra, PharmD/MBA ’25. “Collaborating with local health care providers and professionals from UB enhanced my understanding of effective teamwork, strengthened my communication skills and solidified my passion for improving patient care in diverse settings.”

The 2025 medical trips were partially funded through a successful crowdfunding campaign, raising nearly $2,500 from friends, family and alumni to help cover student travel expenses and purchase medical supplies.

This generous support made it possible for our PharmD students to experience life-changing trips abroad, gaining global perspectives and boosting their confidence in their decision to pursue careers in pharmacy.

From January 3-10, Chhabra, Madison Blesy, PharmD ’26 and Kyle Shapcott, PharmD, SPPS Pharmacy and Academic Leadership Post-Doctoral Fellow, along with the UB schools of management and medicine, traveled to Ghana on a medical trip where they provided essential services to underserved communities in Kumasi and Accra. The multidisciplinary team provided health care services including malaria and blood glucose testing, eye exams and primary care.

A key part of the team’s outreach was preventive care, provided at a dental hygiene station within the community. They distributed free supplies, educated patients on the importance of oral health and treated over 300 patients daily, more than double the number served during last year’s medical trip.

Reflecting on the experience, Chhabra shares, “Participating in the medical trip to Ghana had a profound impact on my growth as an aspiring clinical pharmacist, particularly in reducing medication errors. The experience of conducting medication reviews, educating patients and ensuring proper dosing in resource-limited settings reinforced the importance of clear communication and attention to detail.”

“I also observed how cultural and language barriers could contribute to misunderstandings, emphasizing the need for culturally sensitive care and patient education to prevent errors,” Chhabra explains. “Managing care for over 300 patients daily challenged me to streamline workflows and develop practical strategies for ensuring medication safety in high-pressure environments. This experience strengthened my resolve to advocate for systems that minimize errors and improve patient safety.” 

From January 11-19, Ridhi Sharma, PharmD ’25, Katelyn Hilko, PharmD ’26, Jason Nguyen, PharmD ’27 and Kalpesh Desai, PharmD, assistant dean, inclusive excellence, traveled to Belize with the UB School of Nursing to provide health care services to communities in Orange Walk and Yo Creek.

During the trip, the pharmacy and nursing teams assisted the communities with clinical work and community engagement. At Yo Creek, the teams held a clinic where they provided nearly 60 patients with glucose and blood pressure checks, urgent and subacute assessment, diagnosis and treatment, medication dispensing and health education. At Orange Walk, they visited the Northern Regional Hospital where they observed the pharmacy, clinic, general medical and other hospital services.   

In addition to providing essential health care services in Belize, the pharmacy and nursing teams participated in cultural immersion activities. They met with a traditional medicine expert, explored the ancient Mayan Temples and snorkeled to experience the vibrant marine ecosystem. The team also valued the opportunity to connect with the local people and gain a deeper understanding of Belizean culture.