DKICP Welcomes Inaugural Class of the Extended Online PharmD Pathway

The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy (DKICP) launched its distance education Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) pathway, which is designed for working individuals and adult learners with personal and professional responsibilities.

The inaugural class consists of twelve aspiring pharmacists. The new students spent a week on campus for orientation and their White Coat Ceremony. “I really appreciated having the extra time to get to know my cohort as well as the instructors. Thank you for creating this program that gives people like me and the rest of my cohort the opportunity to further expand our careers and revisit dreams that we thought were not possible to pursue" said Kelly Furutomo, new DKICP student.

The students in the extended online PharmD pathway (PharmD-XO) have roots on the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Kauai and Puerto Rico. They will spend the next four and a half years taking classes online, mastering basic skills, and completing in-person introductory pharmacy practice experiences. The final year of the program will comprise eight advanced pharmacy practice experiences in different employment settings for pharmacists.

“The PharmD-XO pathway is a much-needed option for our island communities,” said Rae Matsumoto, DKICP dean. Many aspiring pharmacists are unable to relocate to Hilo to pursue a PharmD degree full-time, and for those who do, they often leave critical gaps in pharmacies and other health care settings where they were previously employed. The PharmD-XO program provides a viable path for adult learners to continue to work and live in their communities while pursuing a PharmD degree.

The DKICP is committed to improving access to health care, especially in rural and underserved communities. The next PharmD-XO cohort will start in the spring semester of 2027. The DKICP is currently recruiting future pharmacists for the on-campus cohort that will begin in Fall 2026.