2023 Student Fellowship Spotlight

As the end of the school year is approaching, the class of 2023 is looking towards their life post-grad. One path that students at the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy follow is a fellowship after their last year in school. The application process is rigorous and it is a great accomplishment. 

"It is a privilege to chair the residency/fellowship prep committee now in its 11th year. The goal of the program is to pair students with mentors consisting of both faculty, clinical partners, and alumni to provide students guidance for completing the application process. We are thrilled that our students have been matched with residencies and fellowships throughout the country and we look forward to their contributions to the profession," said Amy K. Kennedy, PharmD, BCACP, Associate Professor & Assistant Department Head, Pharmacy Practice & Science, Chair, Residency-Fellowship Preparation Program.

Georgia Theresa Matz

Where is your fellowship?

I will be completing a two-year fellowship with the US Medical team at Biogen in conjunction with Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston, MA.

What excites you most about your upcoming fellowship?

I am excited to continue to grow my knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry. The team I am working on is responsible for medical engagement with many US healthcare entities, including health care providers and formulary decision makers. Some of the projects I am looking forward to working on include developing and delivering product medical trainings, developing payer value dossiers to increase access to therapies, and being able to support product launches. By working cross-functionally with other teams throughout a product lifecycle, I hope to promote and educate stakeholders on novel therapies with the ultimate goal of improving patient care and access.

How did the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy prepare you for this opportunity?

I had the opportunity to complete an Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) rotation in an industry setting. This is where I confirmed my interest in the pharmaceutical industry and ultimately led me to pursue fellowship. The college does an excellent job of providing a wide variety of opportunities for students to experience typical and atypical pharmacist roles.

I also took part in the residency/fellowship preparation program led by Dr. Kennedy. This allowed me to connect with current industry professionals and receive feedback on my CV and letter of intent. They also supplied invaluable advice on the interview process. I highly recommend participating in this program during your fourth year!

What advice would you give to other students preparing to apply for fellowships?

Try to get as much industry experience as you can, whether that is through summer internships, rotations, etc. If you do not have industry experience, highlight translatable skills and traits you have that would make you successful in the industry setting. Be sure to leverage opportunities such as projects and student organization opportunities you participated in throughout school. Always know your WHY and allow your interests and passion to shine through during your interviews!

How do you feel this fellowship will contribute to your future successes?

I think graduating from a PharmD program provides a special skill set and perspective that is useful and beneficial in the industry. However, there is still much to learn! I pride myself in being a lifelong learner and I hope to utilize this opportunity to acquire the skills and experiences to be successful in the industry setting. All these experiences as a fellow will prove to be invaluable as I hope to continue my journey within industry and pursue a more advanced leadership role post-fellowship.