The Wayne State University Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences saw the return of its popular on-campus Apple Days event this week, on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023.

After a pandemic pause, during which time individual school visits took place following safety protocols, Apple Days came roaring back to the Applebaum Building for the first time since 2019.

At the college’s invitation, 360 students from 19 local high schools came to campus to learn about the wide range of careers they can prepare for at WSU Applebaum.

“Because we educate and train future health care professionals who will one day provide care in the city of Detroit and the surrounding area, it is part of our mission and vision to engage with our community through events like this,” said WSU Applebaum Dean Brian Cummings. “Not only are we broadening local high schoolers’ perspectives about the types of careers available to them, we are showing them the precise path toward becoming tomorrow’s PTs, physician assistants, pharmacists and so on — and that path starts right here in Detroit.”

Presentations ranged from A Day in the Life of a Nurse Anesthetist to Diagnostic Detectives presented by the Medical Laboratory Science program. Sessions featured a wide range of engaging hands-on activities. For example, students were invited to take a spin in the distracted driving simulator, insert an anesthesia tube in a training manikin and peer through a microscope.

“It was exciting to bring this event back and see so many high school students in the building learning about all that WSU Applebaum has to offer,” said Academic Services Officer IV Moira Fracassa. “Our programs truly engaged attendees and created interest in pharmacy, health science and health care careers.”

WSU Applebaum faculty, staff and students delivered 116 presentations over the course of the day, supported by more than 30 volunteers from across the college and university. One of those staff members, WSU Applebaum Student Success Coach Jessica Cheriez, cheerfully donned the event's traditional apple costume to connect with students, who clamored to pose by her side for selfies and group shots.

“We were thrilled to showcase our academic programs to local high school students during Apple Days,” said Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Paul Beasley. “It is critical that our youth understand the importance that health care professionals play within our community. Providing each student with a series of hands-on activities allowed them to experience each of our 12 programs, and they walked away at the end of the day knowing that WSU Applebaum stands ready to help them pursue a wide range of rewarding careers.”

See the full event album for more photos.

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An anchor in urban health care

The Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is built on more than 100 years of tradition and innovation in the heart of Detroit. We have grown deep roots in our city, harnessing its powerhouse hospital systems and community service organizations as vibrant, real-world training grounds for students, with an ongoing focus on social justice in health care. And our research at all levels — from undergraduates to veteran faculty members — translates into creative solutions for healthier communities.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering approximately 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 24,000 students.