Fast-track to the future: Early Assurance Program students earn their Pharm.D. degrees

By age 17, most high school seniors know if they want to enroll in college. Some still struggle to discover their career direction and goals. But for five graduating MUSC students, Sherri “Ivy” McLamb, Renee Mayo, Marin Vander Schaaf, Cameron Fox and Noah Nussbaum, knew exactly what paths and next steps they would take as they applied to the MUSC College of Pharmacy’s Early Assurance Program (EAP). The five students are part of 65 total students on track to receive their pharmacy doctoral degrees at MUSC’s 195th Commencement Ceremony on May 17.

Following graduation, some of these accomplished students are headed to pharmacy residencies and fellowships. McLamb will work in Boston, starting a two-year rare diseases Sanofi fellowship with the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Mayo will undertake a post-graduate one-year residency (PGY1) at the Portland VA Medical Center in Portland, Oregon. Vander Schaaf will work in medical affairs and industry pharmacy as an oncology fellow as part of the Visiting Scientist Fellowship Program at Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis, Indiana. Fox will be a PGY1 acute care resident at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

Nussbaum, a South Carolina native who did his pre-pharmacy work at Charleston Southern University, hails from a pharmacy family and will be joining their independent pharmacy, Berkeley Home Pharmacy, in Moncks Corner.

The College of Pharmacy’s EAP was established in 2018 in response to recruitment efforts and a rising interest in creating an alternative pathway program to help high-performing high school students interested in pursuing a pharmacy career. Students who meet the academic and program requirements earn a conditional early acceptance into the college’s Pharm.D. program. 

Participants must complete their prerequisite courses at any accredited college or university, fulfill work/shadow criteria and meet other program standards to be considered. As part of the EAP, pre-pharmacy students can gain access to the pharmacy faculty, staff and alumni for networking opportunities, skills building,  leadership opportunities and other benefits that prepare them for the rigors of the pharmacy program. 

Pharmacy Dean Philip Hall, Pharm.D., has been a strong supporter of the EAP at the college and how it has proved to be a sound alternative pathway beyond traditional pharmacy school admissions in recruiting future pharmacy professionals.

“Many pharmacists know from an early age that they want a career in pharmacy,” said Hall. “This program helps exceptional students plan their futures earlier and with more assurance as well as gives them access and opportunities through a relationship with MUSC. We want to reward students who have a calling to pharmacy.”

 

McLamb, 24, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, was inspired to pursue a career in pharmacy after meeting a mother and daughter from her family’s church. “I got to be friends with the mom, a pharmacist, and spent time with her and her daughter after school. I saw her daughter’s journey firsthand through pharmacy school and really loved what she did and accomplished and was inspired to pursue my own pharmacy dream. They both were role models who pushed and motivated me,” said McLamb. 

McLamb was accepted to MUSC while a senior at Northwestern High School. A scholar and athlete, McLamb completed her classes at Jacksonville University, where she was also able to fulfill her passion as a heptathlon track and field athlete. 

“I liked the freedom that I could choose anywhere to complete my undergraduate requirements. At that time in high school, I was still in the college recruitment season for track and field and scholarships and was unsure where I would end up. I also loved the idea of saving money for two years of undergraduate work elsewhere before starting at MUSC,” she said. “The Early Assurance Program gave me options and the freedom to pursue my athletics, while staying focused on my pharmacy dreams.”

 

Vander Schaaf, 24, a native of Long Island, New York, followed a similar path, but hers included a family connection to the profession. Her uncle was a retail pharmacist who worked in the Bluffton area of South Carolina. Vander Schaaf had an opportunity to shadow him and was inspired by both his work and connection to the community. 

As a high school junior, she and her mother spoke to Jenny Bagg, pharmacy admissions director at MUSC, who answered questions and told them about the new alternative admissions program. A year later, as a senior, Vander Schaaf was accepted into the program. She finished her undergraduate prerequisite classes at Washington College, reconfirmed to EAP and later joined her pharmacy cohort class at MUSC in August 2021. 

“In high school, I was ready then to get going and start pharmacy school,” Vander Schaaf said.

Mayo’s path to pharmacy school was personal. At age 10, she was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia, an irregular, rapid heartbeat, which could be corrected through surgery. “I remember being terrified about the surgery and asking lots of questions to the doctors and nurses involved. They were all responsive and kind and comforting to me. The procedure was a positive experience, and it affirmed my interest to work in some capacity in health care,” she explained. “That later became pharmacy, as I’ve always been fascinated in how medications work in the body.” 

Mayo had applied to the EAP as a student at Blythewood High School in Columbia. She completed prerequisite courses at the College of Charleston before starting the program.

“Staying around Charleston helped me get familiar with the area and reach out to contacts to coordinate shadowing experiences. It was also helpful spending time getting to know my fellow pharmacy classmates and professors. Making those early connections and experiences was important, especially after the COVID pandemic,” said Mayo. Once at MUSC, she was drawn to specialize in psychiatric pharmacy. She wants to assist patients with mental health conditions and is prepared to be a voice or advocate in helping to make collaborative decisions regarding their medications. 

Fox, a native of South Carolina who did her pre-pharmacy work at the University of South Carolina, found her passion for helping others led to a pharmacy calling.

“I wanted to find a career where I could make a meaningful impact,” she said. “Since I’ve always been strong in math and science, I knew I wanted to be in the health field – somewhere I could apply my skills while also working collaboratively with other professionals. Pharmacy felt like the perfect fit, allowing me to combine my love for health care with my analytical abilities to support patients and improve their well-being.”

Nussbaum’s path to pharmacy was inspired by his father, Ted Nussbaum, and his experience working in the family pharmacy.

“I chose pharmacy because my Dad is a pharmacist,” he said. “After working most of his career for big chain pharmacies, he felt like he wasn't helping his community the way he wanted to. He decided to take a chance and open his own independent pharmacy in Moncks Corner called Berkeley Home Pharmacy. I started working there when I was in middle school, and that's where my passion for helping my community started to grow.” 

Once on campus, all five students thrived – attending classes, labs and clinical rotations, and both McLamb and Vander Schaaf participated in summer externships. 

With little free time on her hands, Vander Schaaf also became involved in other campus activities. She volunteered her spare time as a pharmacy supplemental instructor for four years, was named a Presidential Scholar and treasurer for Phi Lambda Sigma, pharmacy leadership honor society and served in leadership positions for the Christian Pharmacist Fellowship International and Industry Pharmacists Organization. On May 3, Vander Schaaf received her Master of Business Administration degree from The Citadel and is the only EAP student to earn concurrent Pharm.D. and MBA degrees while in the program. 

“I really enjoy being involved,” she said. “As a supplemental instructor, I loved teaching students and tutoring them, as it’s a strong passion of mine,” she said, pointing out that  her siblings all work in education or are in some way affiliated. “Teaching runs in our family’s blood.” 

McLamb stayed equally as busy. She served as president of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association, was a member of the Rho Chi Honors Society and an MUSC Student Innovation Ambassadors volunteer.

“Getting involved and attending national industry conferences motivated me to go into industry pharmacy. It’s been super fun and has opened doors  to lots of opportunities. It has already helped me in my career,” McLamb said.

 

Fox’s experience at MUSC has opened the door to a career in pediatric pharmacy. 

“The resilience of pediatric patients is truly uplifting – they have an incredible ability to adapt, overcome challenges and find joy even in difficult circumstances,” she said. “Seeing their strength and determination inspires me every day. Through specialized training and experience, I hope to make a meaningful impact in pediatric health care, supporting young patients and their families through expert guidance and compassionate care.”

For Nussbaum, pursuing a career as an independent community pharmacist was always the plan. But his experience at MUSC has helped form his aspirations to expand the services of Berkeley Home Pharmacy.

“My long-term plans consist of working in my family's independent pharmacy and expanding our services to more patients across the Lowcountry,” he said. “Too many patients are not receiving the personalized health care that they deserve. It will be my No. 1 priority to put my patients first and always treat them as a person and not a number.”

Looking back at their career paths, their unique experiences and what lies ahead, each would recommend Pharmacy’s EAP to other high school students whose end goal is a career in pharmacy.

“It’s a great opportunity that I would recommend,” McLamb said. “This program is a great way to fast-track your journey into pharmacy or the medical field because I learned there are not many opportunities for medical professionals to do this that provide the same success and outcome.”