Welcome to the Class of 2025!

The DKICP faculty, staff and other student colleagues are happy to welcome the Class of 2025. “It may not be easy to convey our enthusiasm through virtual gatherings, which is how many classes and organizational meeting have been held in the first weeks of this semester,” says Dean Carolyn Ma. “But with COVID-19 case numbers trending lower here in the state and on Hawaiʻi Island, and all of the DKICP student body vaccinated, we are hopeful that in-person classes and more activities on campus will soon be possible.”

The class will be coming together on October 17 for their official induction at the White Coat Ceremony, to be held on campus in Hale Kiohʻiohʻi. Rear Admiral (ret.) Pamela Schweitzer, PharmD, will be giving the keynote address in person. She is a former Assistant Surgeon General and was the 10^th Chief Pharmacist Officer of the U.S. Public Health Service. The incoming class continues of DKICP tradition of being a diverse one. Along with many students from within the state of Hawaii, the new cohort includes a sizeable group from the Continental Unites States, as well as from American Samoa, Puerto Rico and South Korea. They join the rest of our student body, which includes student pharmacists from 19 other states, Guam and Japan.

“Our ethnic and cultural diversity makes us unique among Colleges of Pharmacy around the country,” notes Ma. “And we look forward to once again being able to come together, in person, hopefully later this semester, and in the terms ahead.”

In the meantime, she encourages new students to get involved in at least one of the many professional organizations within the college. “Participation is a great way to get involved in the local community, develop communication and leadership skills and meet more classmates. Making these kinds of human connections is more important now than ever before.”