Robert Willborn likes to examine health care needs from many different angles. It’s just one of the reasons he combined pharmacy with public health while pursuing his education at NDSU. He will be the first student to graduate from NDSU with both a doctor of pharmacy degree and a master’s degree in public health. Willborn is attending the School of Pharmacy’s hooding ceremony scheduled for Friday, May 13.
Willborn found the dual degree program to be the right fit for his future career goals.
“I was able to improve my interprofessional communication skills due to the multidisciplinary environment inherent within public health,” he said. “I was also able to get a better perspective on how practicing pharmacists can contribute to the goals of public health in the United States.”
Originally from Cambridge, Wisconsin, Willborn completed his undergraduate degree in pharmaceutical sciences at NDSU. In the five years needed to pursue his doctor of pharmacy degree and his master’s degree in public health, he also took advantage of opportunities such as a graduate assistantship in pharmacy practice, presentations at regional and national public health and pharmacy conferences, NDSU’s Three-Minute Thesis Competition and publication of research in which he participated.
Willborn recently had a commentary titled “Pharmacy’s Influence and Opportunities in Public Health” accepted for the student contributions section of the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. His research regarding diabetes and depression also was published.
“The (Master of Public Health) program has supplemented my pharmacy education in many ways, and will ultimately improve the care I deliver to patients in the future,” said Willborn.
Willborn said he also will remember the people he met at NDSU during his professional training. “The opportunities to gain different perspectives from interprofessional dialogues on complex issues were some of my favorite moments,” he said.
“I think what really drew me was how nice everyone I met was, and how representatives at the university seemed invested in the success of their students,” said Willborn. “I mostly enjoyed the investment that many of the professors at NDSU have in their work and in guiding the next generation of professionals,” said Willborn.
One professor, in particular, left an impression. “Dr. Mark Strand has provided me with support and inspiration during consultations he has provided to me,” said Willborn. “Very accessible, invested in student success, and able to recognize graduate students who seek more opportunities and responsibility, Professor Strand has been a dependable adviser and friend.”
To accomplish his advanced education, Willborn divided his third professional pharmacy year into two years, allowing him to earn a master’s degree in public health in 2015 and a doctor of pharmacy degree in 2016.
As part of his professional training, Willborn completed pharmacy rotations in West Fargo, Valley City and Fargo, North Dakota, as well as in Sauk Center and Robbinsdale, Minnesota; Silver Springs, Maryland; and Rice Lake, Wisconsin.
He begins his residency with Denver VA Medical Center after graduation.
“I chose this program because it will give me a variety of good clinical pharmacy experiences in diverse practice areas within the VA system in Denver, and allows me to give back to men and women who have served our country by helping them manage their health.”
Willborn also has his sights set on future professional opportunities.
“I am setting myself up to pursue a career as a clinical pharmacist providing patient care services within a larger health care system or teaching hospital,” said Willborn. “However, I would like to find a vocation in which I can utilize both my education in pharmacy and public health, which could include options such as the U.S. Public Health Service.”
As a student-focused, land-grant, research university, we serve our citizens.
