UW School of Pharmacy and Cardiff University Forge International Collaboration

The University of Wyoming’s School of Pharmacy and Cardiff University’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, located in Wales, have established an innovative transatlantic partnership aimed at enriching pharmacy education, enhancing cultural understanding and advancing research on pharmacy practice.

 

Launched in 2023 through a UW-Cardiff University seed grant, the collaboration has already yielded significant outcomes, including faculty exchanges, a unique collaborative online international learning activity between students, and new research initiatives.

 

The initial phase involved UW and Cardiff faculty members visiting each other’s campuses to share perspectives on the U.S. and U.K. health care systems, clinical education practices and differences in pharmacy practice. This faculty engagement led to the design and implementation of a six-week online learning activity, which connected pharmacy students in Wyoming and Wales through both synchronous and asynchronous interactions.

 

Students explored health care systems and cultural contexts in both countries and compared the evolving roles of pharmacists. The highlight of the activity was a UW/Cardiff-designed digital interactive case created in the Wales Virtual Hospital system. Mixed teams of UW and Cardiff pharmacy students worked together to evaluate and manage a simulated patient scenario.

 

Initial student data showed notable gains in cultural competence, awareness of global health differences and understanding of pharmacy practice in the two countries.

 

“Connecting our UW and Cardiff students through this activity has been incredibly rewarding,” says Janelle Krueger, clinical associate professor. “Not every student will have the opportunity to travel or study abroad, so this initiative allows more students to connect with and learn from international peers. Students can begin to think critically about different health care models and expand their professional network.” 

 

Building on the success of the online course, the partnership -- now formally known as the Cowboy and Crown Collaborative -- has secured additional funding to further expand its impact:

 

-- Policy research: The team is embarking on a new joint project to analyze the scope of practice for pharmacists in the U.S. and U.K., providing comparative insights to inform policy and education. For example, pharmacists in Wales are independent prescribers. This has been instrumental in addressing primary health care shortages by allowing patients to receive selected services in their community pharmacies or from pharmacists embedded in primary care practice. This may be a model for rural U.S. states, such as Wyoming, to help alleviate the health care deserts. 

 

-- Student exchanges: Plans are underway to bring Cardiff students to Wyoming to learn firsthand about U.S. clinical training, health care and pharmacy practice. Conversely, UW students will have the opportunity to complete rotations or advanced pharmacy practice experiences at Cardiff during their final year of training.

 

“These opportunities not only enhance academic and professional development for our students, but also strengthen our international reputation,” says Tracy Mahvan, a UW associate professor of pharmacy practice.

 

“Collaborations like this ensure we remain at the forefront of pharmacy education and practice,” adds Kem Krueger, School of Pharmacy dean.

 

“The Cowboy and Crown Collaborative reflects the kind of strategic, globally minded engagement we value in the College of Health Sciences,” says Patrick Hardigan, dean of the College of Health Sciences. “I commend the initiative shown by our School of Pharmacy faculty and staff -- particularly Drs. Janelle Krueger, Tracy Mahvan and Dean Kem Krueger -- in developing this partnership with Cardiff University. Their work has created meaningful opportunities for students to engage in cross-cultural learning and comparative health policy research. This collaboration not only broadens students’ educational experience, but also offers practical insights into how international models of pharmacy practice might inform efforts to strengthen health care delivery in Wyoming.”

 

The Cowboy and Crown Collaborative demonstrates how seed funding and a shared vision can build enduring international partnerships that benefit students, faculty and the profession at large.

 

Plans are underway to bring Cardiff students to Wyoming to learn firsthand about U.S. clinical training, health care and pharmacy practice.