For students pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, hands-on experience in rural and underserved areas isn’t just a requirement—it’s a calling. But for many, the financial strain of travel, lodging, and everyday expenses can be a barrier to completing these vital rotations. The Rural Health Travel Fund is changing that, enabling students like Ifeanyi Igboaka and Alexis Mcpherson to gain invaluable experience in communities that need them most.
Alexis: Bringing Compassionate Care to Rural Communities
Growing up in a small Michigan town, Alexis was raised by her mother and grandparents on a foundation of community and service. Her path to pharmacy was personal—her aunt, who acted like a second mother to her, battled addiction and ultimately lost her life to a fentanyl overdose. That tragedy propelled Alexis into health care, determined to make a difference.
After earning her biology degree at Michigan State University, she sought a PharmD program that felt like family. WSU stood out for its strong sense of community—its “Pharmily.” Now in her final rotation at a long-term care facility, Alexis commutes an hour each way to Spokane, where she works with hospice patients, skilled nursing facilities, and adult family homes.
The Rural Health Travel Fund has been instrumental in easing the financial burden of her rotations, covering gas, oil changes, and even a mobile hotspot so she can study for her licensing exams.
“I was extremely grateful when I received this scholarship. It made my life more secure,” she says. “Being part of this Coug family, inspires me to give back. I want to help and change other people’s lives as well.”
The scholarship, she says, not only helped her financially but reinforced her commitment to giving back. She plans to stay in Washington to serve rural communities.
Ifeanyi: A Personal Mission Rooted in Science and Service
As a first-generation American, Ifeanyi grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, with parents who immigrated to the United States from Nigeria and instilled in him the values of education and resilience. His mother, a nurse, and his father, a journalist and teacher, shaped his curiosity about the world—particularly in the realm of health care.
“I grew up in a disenfranchised community in Cleveland, Ohio, and I felt that there were a lot of similarities where I grew up and in rural areas where I worked on rotations,” said Ifeanyi.
His passion for pharmacy began in part due to his younger brother’s battle with cerebral palsy, which required extensive medication management. When his brother passed away in 2020, Ifeanyi’s commitment to advancing medicine deepened. He earned a degree in pharmaceutical sciences at Ohio State University before enrolling at WSU, drawn by its emphasis on clinical research during an elective in Jiyue Zhu’s research lab.
Ifeanyi gained hands-on experience at CHAS Health and the Washington State Pharmacy Association during his fourth-year rotations. His work has reinforced the stark disparities in healthcare access for rural populations, particularly when it comes to transportation challenges and chronic disease management. The Rural Health Travel Fund has helped him cover critical expenses, from licensing exams to essential travel, allowing him to focus on his goal: pursuing a master’s in genetics and ultimately working in pharmacogenetics to improve treatment outcomes for disenfranchised communities.
A Call to Action: Investing in Future Pharmacists
Both Ifeanyi and Alexis exemplify the impact of the Rural Health Travel Fund—not just in their own lives, but in the lives of the patients they will serve. Without financial support, many students face significant hardships in completing rural rotations, limiting their exposure to the communities that need them most.
By contributing to the Rural Health Travel Fund, alumni and partners play a direct role in shaping the next generation of pharmacists committed to rural health care. Your support ensures that students can focus on what truly matters: delivering compassionate, life-changing care to those who need it most.
Help students like Alexis and Ifeanyi by giving to the Rural Health Travel Fund today or for CougsGive on Wednesday, April 16.