Karishma Patel (bottom left) and fellow SLI attendees enjoy a “pharmily” meal at APhA headquarters this past July.

Stepping onto the raised platform during the Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy APhA–ASP Chapter 2017–18 Leadership Retreat during the first week of September was one of the most terrifying and thrilling experiences I have had. My first night addressing student members and leaders as Chapter President was pivotal, and it represented the pace and vision our chapter would set forth for the year. My goal was to inspire each student to realize the full potential they have both personally and professionally as a student pharmacist, a potential they could fulfill with APhA–ASP. 

A potential I honestly would not have fully realized and experienced myself without my fellow chapter leaders throughout the country. I met those leaders while attending the APhA–ASP Summer Leadership Institute (SLI) in July, and the experience was truly a game changer for me.

Mental health is a hot topic of discussion within the health care community. More people are gaining access to, and taking advantage of, mental health services. As such, pharmacists will have an active and increased role in the treatment of patients going forward. The U.S. Armed Forces is a great example of this model as they have provided pathways for thousands of service members to address mental health issues. 

To better frame this discussion, I interviewed a pharmacist and two student pharmacists (who are all either current or former members of the U.S. military) on perception, access, and treatment to mental health care services within a military setting. I interviewed: Jeffrey Neigh, PharmD, MBA, MHA, BCPS, of the U.S. Army, Deputy Director, Pharmacy Service Line and recent APhA Federal Fellow; John Soldner, a third-year PharmD candidate at the Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy and former Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps; and Travis Pagareski, a third-year PharmD candidate at the University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and a current Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve.

APhA staff members Gina Scime and Rob Hodges, along with a service dog, at the JFPS 2015 bookstore.

Have you ever participated in a survey or focus group for APhA? The chances are high that you have at least been invited, as APhA conducts nearly 100 surveys and focus groups among pharmacists and student pharmacists each year. The valuable information that is gathered through research helps APhA better serve its members. 

I will take you on a journey of my work at APhA, and my life, with some help from Hollywood.

The first rule of research … you do not talk about research (Fight Club)

APhA’s research is essential to understanding the wants and needs of pharmacists and student pharmacists. Its research helps to evaluate member benefits, develop content for educational offerings and publications, create practice resources, determine programming for conferences, and assess members’ perspectives on critical issues facing the pharmacy profession. 

APhA’s surveys are distributed nearly every Saturday via an e-mail invitation. Based on the number of responses, the results are considered representative of and projectable to the universe of pharmacists or student pharmacists. Focus groups are conducted in-person at APhA meetings or virtually via teleconference with participants from across the country. Although the results from a group of 8 to 12 participants are not projectable, they can help to guide APhA in a particular direction.