In a move aimed at expanding awareness of pharmacy careers among North Dakota’s youth, the North Dakota State University (NDSU) School of Pharmacy unveiled a new educational tool at the HOSA Future Health Professionals Fall Leadership Conference in Bismarck.
MedMatch: A hands‑on introduction to pharmacy careers
The centerpiece of the NDSU presentation was “MedMatch,” an interactive card game that walks players through the many roles a pharmacist can fill. While many students picture pharmacists merely counting pills behind a counter, the game highlights the breadth of the profession, from clinical specialists and research scientists to entrepreneurs and public‑health advocates.
“A lot of people, students included, kind of think pharmacists are just simply standing at a counter and counting pills,” said Jeanne Frenzel, a professor at the School of Pharmacy. “But there’s so much more to it. There are over 100 careers that a pharmacist can choose to take part in. And so this is just a way to get the word out.”
Targeting rural schools and teachers
Organizers plan to distribute complimentary copies of MedMatch to teachers across North Dakota, with a particular focus on rural districts where access to pharmacy professionals may be limited. By placing the game in classrooms, the school hopes to spark early interest in health‑care pathways and encourage students to consider further education in the field.
The initiative aligns with broader state efforts to strengthen the health‑care workforce, especially in underserved areas. As the demand for qualified pharmacy staff grows, exposing students to the full spectrum of opportunities early on can help fill future gaps in both urban and rural settings.
Community response
Attendees at the conference, which gathered high‑school students, educators, and health‑care professionals from across the region, responded positively to the hands‑on format. Many noted that the game’s interactive nature made the information more memorable than a traditional lecture.
Local educators expressed enthusiasm about receiving the game for free, citing the challenge of finding engaging, curriculum‑aligned resources that highlight career options in health care. “Having a ready‑made, state‑approved tool that we can use in our health‑career classes is a huge win for our students,” said a teacher from a Burleigh County high school.
Looking ahead
The NDSU School of Pharmacy intends to track the game’s impact through follow‑up surveys with participating teachers and students. By measuring changes in career awareness and enrollment in health‑science courses, the program aims to refine its approach and potentially expand to other states.
For now, MedMatch offers a practical, low‑cost way to bring the pharmacy profession into the classroom, reinforcing the message that a career in health care can be both diverse and rewarding.
Original reporting: KFYR-TV Bismarck (news) — read the source article.
