Ann Philbrick

A Passion for Helping Underserved Populations

Despite being located on a large campus, the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy has the feel of a small and close-knit community. This was an observation offered by Ann Philbrick, an associate professor at the college. This is one of the main reasons that Philbrick loves her job at the college. 

Self-described as an inquisitive person, Philbrick is always striving to learn how and why things work the way they do. She is really into chemistry and has always wanted a career in the health care field. These factors combined to make pharmacy the perfect path for her.  

Philbrick is a Nebraska native and graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2006. She also completed a combined PGY1 and PGY2 Ambulatory Care Residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in 2008. Her residency experience is what really shaped her career interests.

“During residency, I discovered how much I loved teaching students, both in the classroom and on rotations,” Philbrick said. “I also got a taste for writing and publishing during residency. I came to the conclusion that the only career that would allow me to practice, teach, and write the way I wanted to was academia.”

She has been at the College of Pharmacy for 11 years and has really enjoyed her time here. Philbrick said she enjoys getting to know students and watching them progress. Teaching is only one part of her job. She also conducts research and has a clinical practice. 

Philbrick is currently studying 30 minute office blood pressures and examining how medical residents are taught about medical cannabis. She is doing this work at her clinic site, the Bethesda Family Medicine Clinic. She loves working at the clinic because it serves underserved populations and this has always been one of Philbrick’s passions. 

“Most of our patients (at the clinic) are low-income and are refugees or immigrants,” Philbrick said. “Sometimes it can be hard work, but at the end of the day, it is really rewarding.”

One of Philbrick’s goals is finding a role pharmacists can play in helping refugees and immigrants acclimate to the United States. 

The best advice a student interested in pharmacy can receive is straightforward, according to Philbrick.

“Get out and meet some pharmacists,” Philbrick said. “There are a lot of roles that pharmacists can play and we are excited to show them to you.”