LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy will open its doors to families and community members April 25 for "The Wonders of Pharmacy," a free, hands-on event designed to demystify pharmaceutical science and showcase the diverse roles pharmacists play in health care.

The event, running 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lee T. Todd Jr. Building on South Limestone, features more than 60 interactive stations where visitors can explore medication safety, disease management and pharmacy careers. Activities include medication safety challenges and demonstrations on managing conditions like asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure, according to the college.

The event was featured on the university's "Behind the Blue" podcast, with host Kody Kiser interviewing Olufunmilola Abraham, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science. Abraham brought the successful format to UK after pioneering a similar event at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2024, where more than 30 interactive stations connected students and families with pharmacy professionals.

"The day is designed to introduce the public to the wide range of roles pharmacists can play, from community health to hospital care, and to highlight pharmacists as one of the most accessible health care resources in any community," the college said in a statement.

Abraham founded the CRoME Lab (Collaborative Research on MEdication use & family health), a community-engaged research team focused on helping families build medication literacy through creative interventions, including educational games that teach safe and effective medication use. The lab works to improve medication safety and health behaviors for vulnerable and underserved populations while training future researchers.

The event serves dual purposes: engaging the community while providing hands-on leadership training for pharmacy and graduate students who help design and run stations as part of their coursework. Visitors of all ages are welcome. Registration is required, though walk-ins are welcome. For more information or to volunteer, contact the CRoME Lab at crome.lab@uky.edu.