The Johns Hopkins Pharmacy Summer Internship Program provides student pharmacists with a structured, immersive learning experience designed to introduce them to the diverse aspects of health-system pharmacy practice. Through hands-on experiences, professional development activities, and collaboration with pharmacy and other health care professionals, interns gain valuable insight into pharmacy practice within a leading academic health system.

The program is designed for student pharmacists entering their third professional year (P3) of pharmacy school - students apply during their P2 year and the internship takes place during the summer between the end of their P2 year and the start of their P3 year. A select group of student pharmacists from across the country is recruited annually, with opportunities available at The Johns Hopkins Hospital (East Baltimore campus), Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, and Johns Hopkins Care at Home. Depending on their assigned location and responsibilities, interns may prefer to have a vehicle for transportation.

Program Objectives

The Johns Hopkins Pharmacy Summer Internship Program aims to:

• Expand understanding of health-system pharmacy practice by introducing interns to the evolving health care environment and the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists across various practice settings.

• Provide exposure to contemporary pharmacy practice through experiences involving patient care, medication-use processes, professional standards, and institutional policies.

• Promote professional and personal development through collaboration with health care professionals, participation in projects and presentations, and opportunities to strengthen communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

• Encourage meaningful contributions to pharmacy operations and patient care by integrating interns into their assigned practice areas as active members of the pharmacy team.

Program Structure and Expectations

The internship is a full-time, paid summer experience designed to complement students' academic coursework and provide practical exposure to health-system pharmacy.

Start and end dates may vary based on each student's academic calendar; however, all interns will begin either the last week of May or the first week of June and will complete nine consecutive weeks onsite. Interns typically work 40 hours per week, with specific schedules and work hours determined by their assigned preceptors.

The program combines practical work experiences with structured learning and professional development opportunities. Interns are encouraged to take an active role in their learning, explore areas of interest, and progressively develop their skills throughout the summer.

Although the internship is not a graded academic experience, preceptors provide ongoing guidance, feedback, and opportunities to discuss individual progress and professional development. Interns are expected to demonstrate initiative, engagement, and a commitment to making meaningful contributions to their assigned teams.

Application Information

Click here for application information!

Program Contact Information:

Justin Hare, PharmD, FASHP
Assistant Director for Education & Training
JHH Summer Intern Program Coordinator
Email: [email protected]

Erin Ballentine, PharmD, MBA, MS, BCPS
Operations Manager, AMES Pharmacy
JHH Summer Intern Program Coordinator
Email: eballen3.jh.edu

Sai Wright, PharmD, MBA, MSPH
Outpatient Clinical Pharmacy Programs Manager
JHH Summer Intern Program Coordinator
Email: [email protected]

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