TRUST the process: How 绿帽社’s interprofessional collaboration is lending a helping hand to local communities
The Rural and Underserved Service Track (TRUST) provides students real-world training for working with diverse patient populations

Building trust takes time. Whether with family, friends or co-workers, it鈥檚 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鈥檛 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 绿帽社 community since its creation in 2019.
鈥淭RUST scholars have made a real difference in our area,鈥 she says. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e 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.鈥
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.
鈥淭RUST provides an additional level of workplace development that students may not experience in their primary didactic curriculum,鈥 she says. 鈥淭he program introduces students to specific patient populations 鈥 like patients with intellectual or developmental disabilities, veterans and those with substance use disorders 鈥 that they鈥檒l likely encounter in their careers but may not study in-depth. It鈥檚 a chance to develop clinical skills and humanistic and empathetic approaches to care.鈥
Lucas adds donors have been a big reason for the program鈥檚 continued success and feedback has been positive, highlighting the program鈥檚 impact and fostering long-term connections between students and the communities they serve.
Many hands make light work
SOPPS isn鈥檛 the only 绿帽社 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.
鈥淚 thought it was a unique chance to work across disciplines and address the needs of populations that don鈥檛 always get the attention they deserve,鈥 McGinley says. 鈥淭hese students are also building a professional network beyond their field. They spend two years getting to know students from other disciplines 鈥 not just for a brief assignment, but through ongoing projects and real-world activities.鈥
TRUST students are responsible for five service activities a year, which adds up to hundreds 鈥 if not thousands 鈥 of hours of face-to-face interactions with community members.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e out there providing hand-washing training during COVID, teaching fall-prevention strategies in senior centers and participating in events for people with chronic illnesses,鈥 McGinley says. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e helping fill critical needs in the community while building their skills. It鈥檚 a reciprocal relationship where they learn from the community while giving back in meaningful ways.鈥
Heeral Naik, a third-year pharmacy student, cherishes these interactive community service projects. 鈥淭he activities are hands-on, not just creating flyers or hosting seminars,鈥 she says. 鈥淪ome 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鈥檚 all about actively engaging with the community, which makes the service more impactful.鈥
Personal connections
Joining the program is a big commitment for TRUST students. They鈥檙e expected to find time for the retreats and service projects while balancing their degree workload. Yet students are motivated to do both 鈥 and do it well 鈥 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.
鈥淚 was doing a medical history on someone who was struggling with substance use and a few undiagnosed mental health conditions, and I remember thinking, 鈥楽omething needs to be done, but I don鈥檛 know what to do,鈥欌 she says. 鈥淚 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.鈥
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.
鈥淚鈥檝e 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,鈥 she says. 鈥淭RUST has shown me that even if I don鈥檛 know everything, there鈥檚 always someone I can rely on to help students fill the gaps, and together we can make a real difference.鈥
TRUSTing the future
TRUST is young and has plenty of time to grow. Some of Lucas鈥 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.
鈥淲e鈥檙e looking to work with dental hygiene students and even expand into other areas like physician assistants, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology,鈥 Lucas says. 鈥淭he program has so much potential, and we鈥檙e excited to explore partnerships with more departments at 绿帽社 and even with other schools.鈥
New students are welcome to join the program and bring new ways of thinking about patient care while putting learners outside their comfort zones.
鈥淭he best part about TRUST has been the learning moments,鈥 Kostiv says. 鈥淪ervice projects are great, but when you have those 鈥榣ight bulb鈥 moments where something finally clicks, it鈥檚 incredible. Figuring out the words to make a real impact 鈥 those are the moments I enjoy the most.鈥