Creighton pharmacists meet community needs from rural Nebraska to urban Phoenix
From rural hospitals in Nebraska to high-tech labs in Phoenix, graduates of Creighton University’s School of Pharmacy and Health Professions are stepping into leadership roles where they’re needed most. Whether addressing provider shortages in small towns or filling workforce gaps in the Southwest, Creighton pharmacists are equipped to serve with compassion, innovation and clinical excellence.
How Creighton addresses pharmacy deserts in Nebraska
In many parts of rural Nebraska, access to healthcare is limited by geography and workforce shortages. But Creighton-trained pharmacists are helping to bridge those gaps. Katherine Stagemeyer, PharmD’23, returned to her hometown of McCook to serve at Community Hospital. In a 25-bed facility without an ICU, she’s often called in for emergency dosing or to support care teams managing critical patients. “You can really form some great connections and get to know your patients as people,” she says.
Fellow pharmacy student Justin Barenberg, PharmD’24, also chose to return home to McCook, working at U-Save Pharmacy. “Pharmacists overall are the most accessible healthcare professionals…especially in rural communities,” he says. Knowing his patients personally allows him to tailor care more effectively.
This kind of meaningful, community-based care is built into the Creighton experience. Students receive hands-on training in medication therapy management (MTM), chronic disease monitoring and the use of telehealth, skills especially valuable in areas with limited provider access.
Emily Knezevich, PharmD, a professor and practicing pharmacist, emphasizes the importance of preparing students for real-world challenges. For example, every Creighton pharmacy student wears a continuous glucose monitor as part of their training. “It puts them in their patients’ shoes,” she explains, helping them troubleshoot issues from a patient’s perspective.
Barenberg, who completed three rural rotations, encourages future pharmacists to consider rural practice, saying it’s surprising how often the community and other healthcare team members will look to them for help with solving complex medication issues.
Creighton Phoenix Hybrid Pharmacy Pathway addresses healthcare shortage
Beyond the Midwest, Creighton is also expanding its reach through its innovative Phoenix Hybrid Pharmacy Pathway—a response to Arizona’s growing demand for healthcare professionals. The program blends online didactic instruction with in-person clinical training in Phoenix, offering students both flexibility and strong local connections.
The Phoenix cohort is largely made up of Arizona residents, many with undergraduate degrees from area universities. This regional approach helps build a pipeline of pharmacists who are prepared—and eager—to serve the Southwest.
For many students, the program’s location is a key advantage, allowing them to stay close to family while building professional networks in their community. The program celebrated its first graduating class in May 2025, with most graduates receiving multiple job offers—a testament to both the program’s quality and regional demand.
Creighton pharmacy graduate earns competitive fellowship
Among the inaugural Phoenix graduates is Sharon Ruditser, PharmD’24, who is now completing a pharmaceutical industry fellowship at Eli Lilly. Her passion for research was sparked during a student-led project at Creighton and solidified during a rotation at Lilly. Now, she’s involved in everything from lab work to educational materials development, all aimed at improving patient outcomes. “The variety keeps the role dynamic and allows me to continue learning new things,” she says.
Ruditser credits Creighton for preparing her to step into such a competitive role. She says the clinical, research and service experiences at Creighton gave her “the confidence and perspective” she needed to succeed in her current fellowship. Her long-term goal is to guide therapies from development to delivery, improving how medicines are discovered and brought to market.
Impacting the community through compassionate pharmaceutical care
Whether in rural Nebraska or metropolitan Phoenix, Creighton pharmacists are stepping up to meet pressing healthcare needs. They are clinicians, educators and problem-solvers who are impacting their communities.
Through innovative programs and hands-on training rooted in service and excellence, Creighton University is preparing the next generation of pharmacists to lead wherever they are called to serve. Join this group of compassionate pharmacy professionals; apply to Creighton’s pharmacy program today.
