Two formative experiences shaped Samantha McCord’s path toward pharmacy.
The first was witnessing her grandparents’ gratitude for their community pharmacist, who provided them with consistent medication guidance. The second was a high school shadowing experience that cemented her admiration for the profession.
“My brain has always been geared toward math and science,” she says. “And I like the idea of helping people while also having a wealth of knowledge about medications.”
This May, Samantha received her Doctor of Pharmacy from Ohio Northern University’s Raabe College of Pharmacy. Her next chapter begins at The Ohio State University, where she’ll complete a two-year Health-System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership (HSPAL) residency while earning a Master of Science in pharmacy leadership.
She’s eager to move into a role with system-wide influence. “The administrative side offers a unique opportunity,” she says. “My goal is to support and empower fellow pharmacists so they can provide the best patient care possible.”
At ONU, Samantha learned that pharmacists, especially in rural areas, can redefine healthcare delivery. As a participant in the Rural and Underserved Health Scholars program, she collaborated on a project to expand women’s preventative care by offering mobile mammograms.
“It made me much more aware of the barriers that keep people from seeking healthcare,” she said.
Another signature moment for Samantha was traveling to the Dominican Republic with Northern Nurses Without Borders. Her Polar Bear Sweetheart, Brenton Brock, BSN ’24, encouraged her to go—and she’s glad he did.
“It was a transformative experience,” she says. “I came back to the U.S. with a new appreciation for all the blessings we take for granted.”
Samantha and Brenton got engaged in January and plan to marry in August 2027. While Samantha will miss her friends and professors, she’s looking forward to joining the Polar Bear alumni network. “ONU grads are so closely connected, especially in pharmacy. There’s just a real sense of home at ONU that everyone can relate to.”
