Strength in Service: Students with Military Ties

Highlighting current pharmacy students’ connections to the uniformed branches of service

Story by Emma Ives | Published July 16, 2024

North Carolina has a deep-rooted and multifaceted relationship with the US military. The state ranks in the top five states with the most active duty/reservist military service members and is home to two of the largest military installations in the United States. Many in the state have a personal connection to the various uniformed branches of service, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. Here, we highlight three students and their unique connections to the uniformed branches of service.

Hayley Hall

Hayley Hall, a rising 4th-year PharmD student, was accepted to the United States Navy’s Health Services Collegiate Program (HSCP) for her 4th year of pharmacy school. Upon graduation, she will commission as a Lieutenant in the US Navy. “I chose the Navy as leadership, opportunities for growth, and diversifying my career are things I highly value,” explains Hayley. “As a naval officer I will be pushed to not only excel in my career, but also teach and lead others.”

The HSCP provides a pathway for health sciences students to directly commission with an armed forces branch upon completion of their program. The student receives base pay and a housing allowance while completing their studies. “We want you to focus on school,” explains Chief Petty Officer Stephen Todrzak. “We complete monthly check-ins with students to make sure they are keeping up with their studies and review transcripts at the end of each semester to make sure students in the HSCP don’t fall behind.”

Hayley attended UNC for her undergraduate studies with assured admission to the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. During her time at the School, she has been a Teaching Assistant for Compounding lab, active in the Carolina Association of Pharmacy Students (CAPS), Phi Delta Chi, and Student Health Action Coalition (SHAC) where she was a Bridge to Care Coordinator and a Medication Assistance Program Coordinator. These co-curricular experiences have helped her prepare to become a strong leader, clinical practitioner, and interprofessional team member.

When asked about how students who are interested can get more involved, Hayley recommends students reach out and ask questions. Chief Petty Officer Stephen Todrzak agrees, saying, “Students should take advantage of opportunities while in school, instead of later when there are hurdles in place.”

Eric Arrington

Rising 4th-year PharmD student, Eric Arrington is “from all over,” as he puts it. His father was in the military, and he lived in many different states and countries, including Hawaii, New York, Virginia, Louisiana, Georgia, Maryland, and Germany. Eric received the Tab and Denise Waldrop Endowed Scholarship at the beginning of his first year of pharmacy school. “With this scholarship, I have been able to focus more on school and place more time on my commitment to academic excellence”, says Eric.

Tab Waldrop, BSPhar ’84, and his wife, Denise, wanted to support future health care leaders. The Waldrop’s recognized the sacrifices military families make for their children, and created the scholarship to support students whose parents are active duty or were active duty at the time of enrollment.

During his time at the school, Eric has served as a peer mentor, teaching assistant, the Chair of the Project Keepsake Initiative for the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA), and the Events Chair for the Recruitment Ambassadors Program. He is also a member of Kappa Psi. After pharmacy school, Eric plans to pursue a fellowship in the pharmaceutical industry in either medical affairs or marketing functional areas. “I hope to carve out my own career path,” he explains.

Tessa Carovich

For Tessa Carovich, a rising 3rd-year PharmD student, participating in the Junior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (JRCOSTEP) through the US Public Health Commissioned Crops was a goal realized. “Applying to and getting accepted into this internship has been a goal of mine since before I started pharmacy school,” Tessa explains. She is currently serving with the Indian Health Service on the Red Lake Reservation in Minnesota.

Pharmacists within the Corps serve in the Indian Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Department of Veterans Affairs, the Food and Drug Administration, and many other departments. In addition to JRCOSTEP, the US Public Health Commissioned Crops also offers a Senior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program, which requires two years of commitment to the Corps upon graduation from pharmacy school as well as a Pharmacy Residency Program through the Indian Health Service.

Tessa attended San Diego State University in her home state of California for her undergraduate studies. At UNC, she is involved in CAPS, Kappa Psi Fraternity, and SHAC, and as a Teaching Assistant for Compounding lab. Being a JRCOSTEP officer was a reason she also completed her Master’s in Public Health as part of the “The most impactful aspect during my time here engaging with those in the Corps is how much opportunity there is for growth and mobility as a pharmacist,” says Tessa. “Corps pharmacists are able to practice at the top of their pharmacy license and engage with members of the community.”