Using Holistic Review to Build a Pharmacist Workforce that Can Achieve Health Equity

As US undergoes significant demographic changes, it has become increasingly important for health professions schools to recruit, enroll, and graduate a healthcare workforce that will address the needs of diverse patient populations. Many underserved communities suffer from health disparities fueled by social determinants of health; a more diverse and culturally competent workforce will help to alleviate these inequities. The need for change is urgent, particularly in the field of pharmacy. The National Pharmacist Workforce Study (2009) reported that the racial diversity of the pharmacy workforce has not changed significantly over the past decade (Mott, Doucette, & Gaither, 2004). The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP, 2014) reported that in fall 2013, the number of underrepresented minorities who earned a PharmD degree was 11.9%, of whom 6.9% were African Americans; 4.3, Hispanics; 0.4, American Indians and Alaska Natives; and 0.3%, Native Hawaiians/Other Pacific Islanders. Over the past decade, many health professions schools have transitioned to a holistic review process to select their students.