The Ross Medical Education Center campus in Davison has had the great pleasure of working with Walgreens in Flint as an externship site and graduate employer since the very beginning of the campus’ Pharmacy Technician program. Don Dunklee, the store manager there, has been one of the greatest supporters of the young program, always championing for it and the students that go through the courses and complete their externship at his location. In fact, he is so impressed by Ross students that he has been known to reach out to other locations and encourage them to take externs as well. Students that get placed there for externship have a very unique and beneficial experience. As a retail pharmacy in an urban setting, the population that the students have the opportunity to work with is diverse and the environment is busy and fast-paced. They get to practice their pharmacy skills as well as polish their customer service and communication skills. Don works hard to help students realize their full potential as people as well as Pharmacy Technicians.
To find out more, read the interview below with Walgreens Manager, Don Dunklee:
What do you like about Ross graduates?
I can count on them. They always know what they are doing.
What is something you like about working with Ross?
They just make it so easy. For example, when they give me an extern, everything is ready. There’s nothing haphazard about it.
How is the Career Services staff at Ross?
I would say A+. They are excellent. They are good at covering all the bases before the grads even get to us. The team also follows up with externs if there are issues to solve them.
How would you describe your experience with having externs from Ross?
It’s definitely very rewarding. As I am watching them come in, they are nervous and excited. But, always by the time they leave they are confident. That’s a great feeling.
Overall, how would you assess the success rate of Ross graduates?
I’d say it’s very good for the most part, because they are very well trained.
What’s the main advantage of hiring a Ross graduate?
They definitely require much less training compared to others that we hire. They have more knowledge and confidence.
How would your facility be affected if it weren’t for Ross graduates?
Well, my job as a hiring manager would definitely be more difficult.
To learn more about Walgreens in Flint, visit them at 2815 Davison Rd. Flint, MI 48506 or call them at (810) 234-0317.