Provider status is one of the most important pieces of legislation to each and every pharmacist. Pharmacists and student pharmacists across the country are working to raise awareness and convince their legislators to pass H.R. 592 and S.314, however, there is even more that can be done.


Within the past year, several states have announced the different ways they have implemented a state pharmacist provider status program. These programs allow pharmacists to expand their scope of practice in different ways. Behind each of these changes has been a driving force of pharmacists and student pharmacists alike.

As a final-year student pharmacist, I have had the opportunity to appreciate different sides of practice that I knew very little about prior to beginning rotations in May. Each of my rotation experiences has provided me with unique opportunities for personal and professional growth, but none of these was more unique than the APhA Experiential Program. Among the many exciting opportunities I had as an APhA Experiential student with the Student and New Practitioner Development Department, I had the distinct honor of attending sessions during the September APhA Board of Trustees meeting.

This year in APhA–ASP, each student pharmacist is challenged to “Live Your Why.” As a final-year student pharmacist, I can say with certainty that my “why,” my raison d’etre, my reason for getting out of bed in the morning, centers on two things: serving my patients and advancing my profession. I am particularly passionate about pharmacists’ pursuit of provider status because I know that in this one campaign, those two “whys” are combined.