Pharmacy Internship Program
The Johns Hopkins Pharmacy Internship Program was established to offer pharmacy students with a structured learning experience intended to provide a comprehensive exposure to health system pharmacy practice. Approximately 20 students are hired for the summer at one of our locations—The Johns Hopkins Hospital, East Baltimore campus, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, and Johns Hopkins Care at Home. Based on their assigned location, student interns may require a vehicle for transportation.
The objectives of the Pharmacy Internship Program are to:
- Provide student interns with an overview of the current health care environment.
- Expose student interns to current standards of care and policy driven pharmacy practice unique to hospitals and health-systems.
- Provide student interns with the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally, through interaction with health care professionals, presentation and project processes and advancement in oral and written skills.
- Provide student interns with opportunities to become an integral part of the staff in the area they have been assigned.
The start date and completion date for each student intern varies based on the academic calendar for their respective College of Pharmacy. However, the latest start date is the first week of June. Student interns typically work 40 hours per week and must complete a minimum of 9 consecutive weeks. The preceptor determines the scheduled hours and days worked.
The internship program is structured to provide experiences that supplement formal didactic training. The program supports and guides the student intern while allowing them to progress at their own pace, based upon their experiences and interests. Unlike academic programs, no grade is given although meetings are scheduled with preceptors to discuss their progress to assure value for the student intern and the Department of Pharmacy. The intern’s enthusiasm and interest in the program will, in part, determine the value of their experience.
Testimonials
"Throughout the internship program, numerous additional opportunities were provided to enrich our learning and facilitate networking, including topic discussions, workshops, book clubs, an interprofessional event, and site visits to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists headquarters. These events helped to inculcate us with the values of the profession and provide us with insight into issues impacting pharmacy practice within health-systems. We all left having gained invaluable experience, professional connections, and friendships we will cherish for a lifetime. As we departed, we felt a profound sense of gratitude for the lasting impact it will have on our journeys as future pharmacists."
Siân Behrendt-McLeroy, PharmD Candidate 2025
University of Texas at Austin
Throughout the internship program, numerous additional opportunities were provided to enrich our learning and facilitate networking, including topic discussions, workshops, book clubs, an interprofessional event, and site visits to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists headquarters. These events helped to inculcate us with the values of the profession.
"The internship turned out to be more than what I had imagined. In just 9 short weeks I was able to challenge myself to take on and complete new projects, attend topic discussions and immerse myself in conversations with pharmacists who are so passionate about their contribution to the field of pharmacy. In addition, I was able to expose myself to the different areas in pharmacy that I did not even realize existed. Be the best, be a role model, be open, be kind – I will carry these core values of Johns Hopkins as I complete my education and start my career in pharmacy. The Johns Hopkins mission to set the standard of excellence in medical education, research and clinical care is encouraging and eye opening to opportunities that are out there for the new generation of pharmacists, like me. I will forever treasure this amazing experience."
Emily Ganeshan, PharmD Candidate 2025
D’Youville University
"My days began with a warm good morning and ended with a sense of accomplishment. Every time I walked into the hospital, I was eager and full of optimism for what the day had in store. It was always something new and exciting such as a last-minute meeting or making those tough decisions behind the scenes that no one really sees. I was never made to feel small, even when surrounded by greatness and that is what helped reassure me that I was in the right place and that I could see myself working here in the future. The innovation, culture, and passion are evident no matter where you are in the hospital, and it is quite infectious. Everyone was welcoming and ready to give me a helping hand when I needed it the most. As I look forward to the future, I have high hopes because the sky's the limit at Johns Hopkins Hospital and it feels as though anything is possible if you put your mind to it."
Kavitha Sukumar, PharmD Candidate 2025
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy
I was never made to feel small, even when surrounded by greatness and that is what helped reassure me that I was in the right place and that I could see myself working here in the future.
"Someone once told me “Whatever makes you uncomfortable is your biggest opportunity for growth.” Each day presented me with a new set of challenges to overcome and projects to complete. Despite feeling nervous at first, I made a commitment to myself at the beginning of the summer to take these challenges as an opportunity to grow. Having this mindset has allowed me to make the most of each opportunity presented to me this summer, growing my leadership skills, clinical knowledge, and passion for the field of pharmacy. The culture of Johns Hopkins is one which encourages learning, embraces learning from failure, and keeps patient care at the forefront of everything they do, aligning with the values I have carried with me through my pharmacy journey. Walking into work each day where this is the culture allowed me to view my project work differently. Rather than having to be always driven by results and work towards completion, I was able to focus on the process and strengthen my project skills. Throughout this summer, I have grown more than I thought possible, from my project skills to leadership skills and opportunities. From resident panels and topic discussions to presenting my project at the end of the internship, each opportunity challenged how I thought and made me see things from a new perspective. I am more excited than ever for a career in pharmacy because of my time with Johns Hopkins."
Logan Gaskill, PharmD Candidate 2025
University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy