Pharmacist returns to University of Sunderland to vaccinate students and support their wellbeing
The event also enabled students to learn about and register with local health services
A University of Sunderland graduate who has built a career supporting communities across the north-east has returned to campus to help students protect their health and wellbeing.
Donna Roberts, 39, graduated from the university in 2010 with a Master’s degree in pharmacy and she is now a practising pharmacist and co-owner of Riverview Health Centre Pharmacy.
Donna recently returned to campus for the University’s ‘Feel Good in Sunderland’ event, hosted by the Wellbeing Team at CitySpace where students could access healthcare advice and find out whether they were eligible for a free MenACWY meningitis vaccination.
The event brought together NHS services, community pharmacy teams and student support organisations, giving over 100 students who attended the opportunity to learn more about local health services, register with a GP and discover the support available to them while at university.
Sixty-six students were vaccinated on the day.
Donna said: “I want to make sure that everyone has access to healthcare and support, including students. A lot of students are young, potentially away from home, and can often be unsure how to access certain healthcare needs. If I can help make this access easier for them, it ensures they get the help and support they need.”
Donna has maintained close links with the university through her work with pharmacy students. Her team supports students on the MPharm degree and the Overseas Pharmacists Assessment Programme (OSPAP), offering community placements to help them develop the practical skills they will need in their future careers.
Looking back on her own time at Sunderland, Donna said: “My undergraduate degree gave me valuable insight into the different areas of pharmacy practice and allowed me to explore different options through placements, as well as helping develop skills such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving which I have taken with me throughout my career.”
Dr Adrian Moore, Head of School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Sunderland, said: “It is wonderful to see our graduates making such a positive difference to the health and wellbeing of their communities.
“Community pharmacists play a vital role in providing trusted health advice and support, and initiatives such as ‘Feel Good in Sunderland’ highlight the importance of multi-disciplinary teams working together to ensure students know where to turn for help.