Future Pharmacists, Small-Town Impact: Meet Pharmacy Interns Zoe and Ella

What does the future of pharmacy look like? If you ask Perham Health pharmacy interns Zoe Schnell and Ella Thorson, it looks a lot like collaboration, patient advocacy, lifelong learning, and a deep commitment to rural healthcare.

This summer, the two fourth-year pharmacy students from North Dakota State University (NDSU) joined Perham Health for clinical rotations, bringing fresh perspectives, contagious enthusiasm, and a passion for helping patients across our community.

Jodie Trites, pharmacist, reflected, “Students bring fresh ideas, new energy, and a different perspective to our pharmacy.  They make us better!  At the same time, students are able to experience rural healthcare firsthand while being able to see the impact they can make within a community. It’s truly a win-win.”

A Calling to Help Others as a Pharmacist

For both Zoe and Ella, choosing pharmacy wasn’t a sudden decision. It was a path that gradually came into focus through a shared desire to help people.

Ella, who grew up in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, recalls dreaming of a career in healthcare from an early age.

“I always thought I wanted to go into the medical field since I was a little girl,” she said. “I just internally had that drive to help people.”

A pharmacy-focused visit to NDSU ultimately sealed the deal. Meeting pharmacy students, learning about the profession, and hearing firsthand experiences made her realize she’d found the right fit.

For Zoe, a native of Superior, Wisconsin, healthcare was woven into family life. With a nurse for a father and an educator for a mother, service to others was a common theme. A high school job shadowing experience introduced her to community pharmacy and opened her eyes to a career she hadn’t previously considered.

Zoe Schnell, student intern, and Jodie Trites, Pharmacist

“I didn’t even really know this existed,” Zoe said. “But I thought it seemed really cool.”

Today, Zoe is pursuing both her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and an MBA through NDSU’s dual-degree pathway.

More Than Just Counting Pills

When many people think of pharmacists, they picture dispensing medications. But as Zoe and Ella quickly point out, modern pharmacy is so much more.

During their final year of pharmacy school, students complete a variety of five-week rotations that expose them to different practice settings, including:

• Community (retail) pharmacy
• Institutional and hospital pharmacy
• Ambulatory care
• Acute care
• Rural healthcare

In total, students complete eight rotations throughout the year, gaining hands-on experience across the healthcare spectrum.

“There’s a lot of different roles that you can have in pharmacy,” Zoe explained. “There are so many different specialties.”

Those specialties range from oncology and diabetes management to long-term care, ambulatory care, hospital medicine, and emerging areas still being developed.

Choosing Rural Healthcare

While NDSU requires students to complete a rural rotation, both Zoe and Ella were eager to immerse themselves in a rural healthcare environment.

For Zoe, Perham Health was a deliberate choice.

“I’ve driven past it so many times and always thought it seemed like a really nice facility,” she said.

Ella was seeking a different perspective from the large hospitals where she’d previously trained.

“I wanted to see what rural healthcare is like,” she said. “In bigger hospitals, patients might go to specialized units. Here, everyone works together to care for all kinds of patients.”

That experience has highlighted one of rural healthcare’s greatest strengths: teamwork.

The Power of a Small Hospital

One theme surfaced repeatedly during their conversation: communication.

Both students have been impressed by the close collaboration among departments at Perham Health.

Ella Thorson, student intern, and Michael Austin, Director of Pharmacy

“Everyone knows what’s going on,” Ella said. “There’s a ton of collaboration.”

Zoe pointed out that Perham Health’s unique model, in which community (retail) pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, and long-term care services operate closely together, fosters strong relationships between caregivers and patients alike.

“It’s a very tight community,” she said. “That creates a sense of familiarity and comfort for patients.”

That sense of connection extends beyond the hospital walls.

In rural communities like Perham, healthcare professionals often know their patients as neighbors, friends, and community members. That familiarity can help build trust and improve the overall patient experience.

Navigating Rural Healthcare Challenges

Of course, rural healthcare comes with challenges too.

Transportation, weather, distance, and access to services all affect patient care.

Ella has already seen situations where patients struggle to return for follow-up appointments simply because they lack reliable transportation.

Meanwhile, Zoe sees how insurance barriers and limited access to healthcare can complicate care long before a patient arrives at the pharmacy counter.

“Everyone is just trying their best to give their patients the best care possible,” Zoe said.

For rural healthcare providers, helping patients often means solving problems that extend well beyond medications.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Pharmacy

When asked where pharmacy is headed over the next decade, both students see a profession becoming increasingly integrated into patient care.

They envision pharmacists taking on expanded clinical responsibilities, working alongside providers to monitor chronic conditions, adjust medications, and help close gaps in healthcare, particularly in rural communities.

Ella hopes to eventually work as an ambulatory care pharmacist, collaborating directly with patients managing chronic conditions such as diabetes.

Zoe’s interests lie in oncology, where she hopes to help patients navigate complex treatments and understand their care plans.

Both believe pharmacists will continue evolving from traditional dispensing roles into highly visible healthcare providers.

“Pharmacists are accessible, they’re trusted, and they’re well-trained,” Zoe said.

Megan Miller, pharmacist, Jodie Trites, pharmacist, Kayla Hendrickson, pharmacist, Ella Thorson, student intern, Zoe Schnell, student intern, Michael Austin, Director of Pharmacy, Brooke Busse, pharmacist, and Amy Vogt, pharmacist.

A Lesson in Lifelong Learning

Perhaps the most valuable lesson they’ve learned so far isn’t about medications at all.

It’s about keeping an open mind.

Throughout their training, both students have been encouraged by mentors to embrace every opportunity and continue learning, regardless of where their careers ultimately lead.

“There’s always something more you can learn,” Ella said.

In healthcare, treatments evolve, guidelines change, and new medications emerge every year. Staying curious isn’t just helpful; it’s essential.

And if Zoe and Ella are any indication, the future of pharmacy is in very capable hands.

Michael Austin, Director or Pharmacy, noted, “Having students in our pharmacy is always a great experience.  We’re grateful for the opportunity to share what we know, learn from our students, and watch the next generation of pharmacists grow.”

As they continue their journeys toward becoming pharmacists, their passion for patients, commitment to learning, and appreciation for rural healthcare are already making a difference at Perham Health.