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Building trust takes time. Whether with family, friends or co-workers, it’s a process that can take years. But how do you build trust within a community?

The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is trying to accomplish that through The Rural and Underserved Service Track (TRUST), a two-year, co-curricular track available to students in healthcare-related fields, including pharmacy, medicine, social work, public health, nursing, and community research and action (CRA).

It focuses on providing care for rural and underserved populations through educational retreats and hands-on service activities. TRUST doesn’t have specific geographical boundaries, giving students the opportunity to conduct service projects anywhere they want or where there is a need.

Rachel Lucas, director of TRUST and clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice, says the program has impacted the ��ñ�� community since its creation in 2019.

“TRUST scholars have made a real difference in our area,” she says. “They’ve delivered immunizations, led Narcan trainings, hosted drug take-back events, and taught both students and community members about important health skills and resources. Beyond clinical services, students have also visited schools to talk with kids about careers in healthcare, encouraging interest and understanding from a young age.”

Scholars participate in several retreats each year, engaging students from other disciplines and broadening their approach to healthcare and problem-solving. Lucas emphasizes the added value of the program, noting that it provides real-world interprofessional training for working with diverse patient populations.

“TRUST provides an additional level of workplace development that students may not experience in their primary didactic curriculum,” she says. “The program introduces students to specific patient populations — like patients with intellectual or developmental disabilities, veterans and those with substance use disorders — that they’ll likely encounter in their careers but may not study in-depth. It’s a chance to develop clinical skills and humanistic and empathetic approaches to care.”

Lucas adds donors have been a big reason for the program’s continued success and feedback has been positive, highlighting the program’s impact and fostering long-term connections between students and the communities they serve.

Many hands make light work

SOPPS isn’t the only ��ñ�� school involved in this program; the College of Community and Public Affairs and Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences participate in TRUST. SUNY Upstate Medical University is also part of the collaboration.

Jackie McGinley, an assistant professor of social work, joined the TRUST program when it first started. She says it reminded her of other training programs she had been a part of, especially those involving interprofessional collaboration.

“I thought it was a unique chance to work across disciplines and address the needs of populations that don’t always get the attention they deserve,” McGinley says. “These students are also building a professional network beyond their field. They spend two years getting to know students from other disciplines — not just for a brief assignment, but through ongoing projects and real-world activities.”

TRUST students are responsible for five service activities a year, which adds up to hundreds — if not thousands — of hours of face-to-face interactions with community members.

“They’re out there providing hand-washing training during COVID, teaching fall-prevention strategies in senior centers and participating in events for people with chronic illnesses,” McGinley says. “They’re helping fill critical needs in the community while building their skills. It’s a reciprocal relationship where they learn from the community while giving back in meaningful ways.”

Heeral Naik, a third-year pharmacy student, cherishes these interactive community service projects. “The activities are hands-on, not just creating flyers or hosting seminars,” she says. “Some groups run drug take-back programs, while others organize tabling events at schools on topics like dental hygiene or mental health. Last year, I joined activities where we made posters and goodie bags for kids to brush their teeth. It’s all about actively engaging with the community, which makes the service more impactful.”

Personal connections

Joining the program is a big commitment for TRUST students. They’re expected to find time for the retreats and service projects while balancing their degree workload. Yet students are motivated to do both — and do it well — because they recognize the long-term benefits.

Third-year pharmacy student Victoria Kostiv joined TRUST after what she says was a life-changing encounter with a patient.

“I was doing a medical history on someone who was struggling with substance use and a few undiagnosed mental health conditions, and I remember thinking, ‘Something needs to be done, but I don’t know what to do,’” she says. “I realized I needed more skills and knowledge to support people in these kinds of situations. When I heard about TRUST, I saw it as a way to learn how to advocate effectively for future patients.”

In TRUST service projects, students come face-to-face with people from all walks of life. Kostiv believes these experiences have helped her grow as a person and a future pharmacist.

“I’ve learned the value of patient advocacy and interprofessional teamwork. I may not have all the answers for every patient, but knowing that I can collaborate with colleagues who bring different expertise has been invaluable,” she says. “TRUST has shown me that even if I don’t know everything, there’s always someone I can rely on to help students fill the gaps, and together we can make a real difference.”

TRUSTing the future

TRUST is young and has plenty of time to grow. Some of Lucas’ main goals for the program are forming new collaborations and adding more disciplines.

This year, TRUST collaborated with CRA PhD students for the first time. Their expertise brings insights that help better understand research in underserved populations.

“We’re looking to work with dental hygiene students and even expand into other areas like physician assistants, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology,” Lucas says. “The program has so much potential, and we’re excited to explore partnerships with more departments at ��ñ�� and even with other schools.”

New students are welcome to join the program and bring new ways of thinking about patient care while putting learners outside their comfort zones.

“The best part about TRUST has been the learning moments,” Kostiv says. “Service projects are great, but when you have those ‘light bulb’ moments where something finally clicks, it’s incredible. Figuring out the words to make a real impact — those are the moments I enjoy the most.”