School of Pharmacy Graduate Charts Path to Success
Connor Callahan pairs clinical, business training to aid community
OXFORD, Miss. – Connor Callahan’s decision to attend the University of Mississippi came about after he learned of the strength of the Ole Miss pharmacy program and heard great things about Oxford. The Valdosta, Georgia, native graduated in May and credits the educational professional networks he established here with positively shaping his career.
A career in the medical field appealed to Callahan, and pharmacy stood out for its mix of opportunities. At Ole Miss, he explored several corners of the profession, including medical device work, compounding, hospital settings, clinical rotations, and research.
“When you think of the epitome of a Southern city, it’s Oxford. The culture, the people, and the town lived up to everything I’d heard,” Callahan said. “The School of Pharmacy has an excellent reputation, and the program offered me the chance to earn a degree that will allow me to provide for my family anywhere in the country in so many different ways.”
Callahan completed rotations in several different areas but one shaped his career direction more than any other. During a stint with Vital Care of Tupelo, he discovered home infusion and specialty pharmacy, a field he had not known existed.
“It opened my eyes to the clinical side, and on top of that, the business side,” he said. “I realized that I could use both the PharmD and the MBA effectively and get the most benefit from my degrees.”
Callahan is now in a one-year residency with Vital Care in Meridian. The company cares for many patients with challenging conditions, allowing them to receive treatment at home with their families.
When a hospital patient with a serious infection is sent home, for example, the pharmacy determines the drug, dosage and schedule, and coordinates nursing and lab work. Much of that work happens in a pharmacy surrounded by a lab, where staff may compound medications not typically available at a retail location.
“I know that if it was my family or loved ones, I’d want them to have access to this kind of care,” Callahan said. “They wouldn’t be able to be home without a company like this.”
Callahan’s career path with Vital Care includes becoming a pharmacist in of a high-volume location, and and ultimately seeking an ownership role of his own operation. He looks forward to pairing his clinical and business training to provide care for those in need.
“I’m thankful for the education I received at Ole Miss and the value that I get from it every day,” Callahan said. “I’m in a career that’s not only fulfilling to me on a personal and professional level, but also offers me the ability to make meaningful contributions to the community.”