What Rotation Really Taught Me About Why I Was in Pharmacy School

Tuesday, 14 July 2026

By Zachary Heeter, Assistant Dean, Accelerated Pathway, LECOM School of Pharmacy

Key Takeaways

• LECOM pharmacy students complete introductory rotations in their first year and six advanced rotations in their final year
• Rotation settings include hospitals, community pharmacies, ambulatory care clinics, and elective specialties chosen by the student
• Real patient encounters during rotation are where classroom knowledge becomes clinical skill
• Faculty advisors help students plan their rotation selections to align with long-term career goals
• The rotation experience is identical across all three pathways, regardless of which format a student chooses

There is a moment in the program when things shift. For me, it came during my introductory rotations, when I was out in an actual pharmacy, seeing real patients, and working through real clinical situations. The information that had been abstract in the classroom started to feel grounded in something meaningful, and that is when I understood, not just intellectually but genuinely, why I was doing what I was doing in the program.

That experience is something I try to communicate to students now, because the first two years of pharmacy school can feel disconnected from the career you are building toward. You are in class, studying, absorbing an enormous amount of pharmacology, pathophysiology, and pharmacotherapy. It is rigorous work, but it does not always feel connected to what you imagine practicing pharmacy will actually look like. Rotation is what changes that.

In the first year, students complete introductory pharmacy practice rotations designed to get them into the workflow of a real pharmacy setting. You are not leading patient care yet, but you are observing, participating, and learning how a pharmacy actually operates, which gives you context for everything you have been studying. That early exposure matters more than most students expect going in.

The advanced rotations in the final year are where everything comes together. Students complete six rotations covering inpatient practice, outpatient practice, ambulatory care, and elective areas based on their interests and career direction. Faculty advisors are genuinely helpful throughout this process, working with students across the program to help select rotation sites that align with where they want to practice after graduation.

What I would tell my first-year self is to take time management seriously from day one, not because the work will break you, but because the students who invest in organizing their time early are the ones who get the most out of the rotation year. By the time you are out in the field, you want your habits already built so that you can walk into a clinical setting fully focused on learning from your preceptors, rather than scrambling to stay on top of everything else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What types of rotations do LECOM pharmacy students complete?

LECOM pharmacy students complete introductory rotations in their first year and six advanced practice rotations in their final year. Settings include hospitals, community pharmacies, retail settings, ambulatory care clinics, and elective areas based on student interests.

Q: Are LECOM pharmacy rotations the same across all three pathways?

Yes. The rotation experiences are identical regardless of which pathway a student chooses. The timing differs: accelerated students complete their advanced rotations in their third year, while traditional and distance students complete them in their fourth year.

Q: Can LECOM pharmacy students choose their rotation specialties?

Students have the opportunity to select elective rotation sites that align with their career interests. Faculty advisors help students plan their selections throughout the program.

Q: What is the difference between introductory and advanced pharmacy rotations at LECOM?

Introductory rotations focus on understanding pharmacy workflow and day-to-day operations. Advanced rotations in the final year are more immersive, focusing on clinical decision-making, patient care, and specialty area skills.

Q: How do LECOM faculty help students prepare for their rotation year?

Faculty advisors meet with students throughout the program to help them develop study strategies, build their professional portfolios, and plan rotation selections based on their desired career paths.