» Office of Experiential Education

The Office of Experiential Education Office coordinates the clinical and practice-related experiences at CUSP. Students participate in their class's practicums every academic year, including during the fall, spring, and summer trimesters. 

Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs) provide students practical experience in community, independent, and hospital pharmacy settings during Year 1 and 2 at CUSP. 

Coupled with the didactic courses in the curriculum, IPPEs prepare student pharmacists for Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) in Year 3. 

In Year 3, students complete six, 6-week Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs)—4 required rotation types and 2 electives.

APPE rotations focus on providing supervised experiences so they are practice ready by the end of the academic year.

Students must successfully complete at least 1440 hours and 36 weeks of APPE rotations.

OEE Team

photo of Kathleen  Besinque, PharmD, MSEd, FASHP, FCSHP, FCPhA

Kathleen Besinque, PharmD, MSEd, FASHP, FCSHP, FCPhA

Assistant Dean of Experiential Education
Rinker Health Science Campus
714-516-5475
Kathleen Besinque oversees the experiential education program for IPPE and APPE students.
photo of Karl Hess, PharmD, APh, FCPhA, FAPhA

Karl Hess, PharmD, APh, FCPhA, FAPhA

Director of the Office of Experiential Education
Rinker Health Science Campus
714-516-5570
Karl Hess primarily supports the community rotation types and the daily operations of the department.
photo of Brian Kawahara, PharmD, MS, FASHP, FCSHP

Brian Kawahara, PharmD, MS, FASHP, FCSHP

Assistant Director of Experiential Education
Rinker Health Science Campus
(714) 516-5407
Brian Kawahara oversees IPPE and APPE hospital rotations, affiliation agreements, and quality assurance.
photo of Gary Fong, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP

Gary Fong, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP

Experiential Team Leader in Acute Care
Rinker Health Science Campus
714-516-5468
Gary Fong provides oversight and support relating to Acute Care experiences for APPE Rotations.
photo of May Mak, PharmD, BCGP, CDCES, APh

May Mak, PharmD, BCGP, CDCES, APh

Experiential Team Lead in Ambulatory Care
Rinker Health Sciences
May Mak provides oversight and support relating to Ambulatory Care experiences for APPE and IPPE Rotations.
photo of Jennifer  Amador

Jennifer Amador

Program Administrator
Rinker Health Science Campus
714-516-4692
Jennifer Amador manages OEE organizational logistics, including syllabi, student rotation requirements, and preceptor evaluations.
photo of Andie Hoang

Andie Hoang

Program Coordinator
Rinker Health Science Campus
(714) 516-5404
Andie Hoang supports OEE office functions including compliance and operations, and writes the quarterly OEE newsletter.
photo of Jennifer  Lopez, PPS

Jennifer Lopez, PPS

Administrative Assistant
Rinker Health Science Campus
Jennifer Lopez assists with the daily operations of the department and supports students before and during their rotations.

Preceptor Development Program


Interested in having a Preceptor Development Program at your site? Use our online inquiry form.

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Office of Experiential Education