FSU expands college on medical mile

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Future pharmacists say Ferris State's School of Pharmacy fills a void on the Medical Mile.

Students like Alex Gargano, a third-year student from the Lansing-area, told 24 Hour News 8 the school's move shows how the medical industry is changing.

"The whole idea of where medicine is going is the collaborative practice," said Gargano. "It's kind of exciting to be in a close proximity because that facilitates us to be able to do that."

In a press release, Ferris State touted the new facility's location as "in the heart of Grand Rapids' Medical Mile".

The release said the location supports the College of Pharmacy's curriculum, which emphasizes early opportunities to experience professional practice.

"It's hard to walk into a pharmacy in Michigan and not find a Ferris graduate," said Ferris President David Eisler.

Wyoming-native Casey Ketchum said she chose Ferris because she knew she'd be able to study close to home. She told 24 Hour News 8 she remembers when the Medical Mile was just starting, and is proud to be a part of it now.

"It makes me feel good to be a part of something that's growing and thriving in Grand Rapids," Ketchum said.

Ferris is home to the state's only college of pharmacy outside of metro-Detroit and has been graduating pharmacists since 1896.