Student Wellness Programs

Academic Support Resources

Each incoming student is matched with a peer mentor through our ACTION student group’s "big-little" program.

• Director of career and professional development: Mimi Nguyen, PharmD, helps students prepare residency or fellowship applications, apply for internships, conduct job searches, prepare for interviews and more. 
• Director of Academic Support: Mitchell Dandignac, PhD, is a cognitive psychologist who helps students identify their strengths, target areas for growth and apply evidence-based learning strategies that optimize performance and support academic success. 
• Director of Disability Services: Rosezetta Henderson, MS, partners with students with disabilities individually to determine reasonable accommodations to provide equitable access for them to fully participate in the pharmacy school curriculum and the campus environment. Meet Rosezetta Henderson. 
• Certified peer-tutoring program: Our peer-tutoring program has been certified by the College Reading and Learning Association, ensuring our students receive the best academic support possible from trained peer tutors. 
• Faculty mentors: Each incoming student is matched with a faculty mentor based on personal and professional interests, ensuring they have a trusted guide throughout their academic journey. 
• Student mentors: Our ACTION student group’s “big-little” program matches each incoming student with a student mentor based on common interests, ensuring they have a peer resource as they transition into our program and throughout pharmacy school.

Wellness Programs

• Dedicated wellness advisor: Desiree Shapiro, MD, clinical professor of psychiatry at UC San Diego supports students in distress, advances student-centered team decisions and promotes well-being initiatives ranging from prevention to crisis intervention.
• Embedded wellness-focused curriculum: As part of our Continuous Professional Development our students take a year-long course throughout their four years in pharmacy school titled, “Thriving for Success in Pharmacy.” The aim is to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes in leadership, professional and career development as well as wellness and well-being that help our students succeed both in pharmacy school and at various stages of their professional careers.
• Well-being elective: First, second and third year student pharmacists may enroll in our Well-Being elective, designed to emphasize holistic individual and community well-being through reflection, active strategies and sustainable practices for a fulfilling career in pharmacy.
• Outdoor relaxation space: Located on our school’s lawn, The Park is an outdoor space where students can play lawn games, relax in comfortable chairs or study while enjoying fresh air and a change of scenery.

Our Wellness Advisor Desiree Shapiro, MD, is dedicated to supporting our student’s well-being.

A recent visit from our therapy dogs

• Therapy dogs: Therapy dogs regularly visit our school, offering students a chance to de-stress and unwind during busy academic periods. 
• “Coffee and Compassion” chats: Led by faculty and staff, this small group discussion aims to provide a safe and supportive space where students can share and learn from each other’s lived experiences. Our goal is to foster empathy, unity, and a deeper sense of belonging both within our community and in our work with patients. 
• Mary Belaya Wellness Seminar: Held quarterly, this student-centered and student-led seminar features discussions on mental health, self-compassion, mindfulness, stress management, resilience tools and wellness resources. 
• Wellness Oasis: Stocked with free snacks, personal care items and other essentials, the Wellness Oasis aims to ease food insecurity among students and support overall well-being.

Campus Resources

• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): CAPS takes a student-centered approach to comprehensive mental health support, offering counseling, workshops, outreach programs and more to help students flourish during their time on campus and beyond. Our school advocated for and received a dedicated CAPS liaison and extended student mental health center hours to better accommodate our student’s busy schedules.
• Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination: This office supports students by investigating concerns, clarifying policies and offering training and resources so everyone can learn and live in a respectful, inclusive environment.
• CARE at the Sexual Assault Resource Center: CARE offers free and confidential services for students impacted by sexual assault, relationship violence and stalking and provides violence prevention education for the entire UC San Diego campus.
• Triton CORE: Composed of licensed behavioral health professionals, Triton CORE is a mobile response team that provides compassionate intervention and support to students experiencing a behavioral health crisis. 
• The Hub Basic Needs Center: This center addresses gaps students may have in accessing nutritious food, stable housing and financial wellness resources.
• Student Affairs Case Management Services: This team provides inclusive, comprehensive support services that empower UC San Diego students to address all aspects of their health and well-being.
• Housing resources: Our Graduate and Family Housing office supports the housing needs of our graduate students, families, and professional students.
• Financial aid support: Our Health Sciences financial aid office helps connect students to financial support, reducing stress and allowing students to focus more fully on learning and personal growth.