Son's illness spurs student's interest in MoSTEM pharmacy program

When her son was diagnosed with meningitis and a brain empyema, Stephanie Boyer had to learn all about his different medications. She says this is what sparked her interest in pharmacy.

As a single mom, Stephanie Boyer knew she needed to make a big change to better support her children.

​When considering what to do, Stephanie decided a career in the medical field made perfect sense. Her mother and grandmother were nurses, and she had become interested in health care because of her son’s medical condition.

“In 2011 my son was diagnosed with meningitis and a brain empyema,” said Boyer. “He has to take several medications, so I began to educate myself on those different medications.”

With that motivation, she decided to pursue the Pharmacy Technician program at State Fair Community College under MoSTEMWINs and has had great experiences at SFCC.

“As an older student, the experience I have had at SFCC has been wonderful,” she said. “I was nervous about starting a new path in my 40s and was not sure how things would go. I loved Sara Dunn’s Medical Terminology class. It was my only class on campus (the rest are online). She’s such an energetic teacher and is passionate about her work.

“My online instructors are just as great. If I have a question, I know I can get the help I need from them. I also really feel comfortable around my navigator. I know that I can count on her to help me with any questions or problems that I have to achieve the success I am aiming for.”

Stephanie will graduate in fall 2017 with both a Skills Certificate and a Professional Certificate in Pharmacy Technician.

After graduation, she will have 35 credit hours that directly apply to the Associate of Applied Science in Health Care Specialist with emphasis in Pharmacy Technician degree. Stephanie is set to complete the next step in her path when she is ready.

​For now, she is concentrating on completing her certificates and obtaining a job in her field. She currently has her résumé submitted to several pharmacies in town and is looking forward to the interview process.

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