Shannon Habba is a third-year PharmD candidate at the Wayne State University Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. In March, she received an APhA Student Leadership Award at the 2024 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Orlando, FL.
Student Pharmacist Magazine (SPM): As you reflect on your student pharmacist experience thus far, what are some of your favorite memories?
Habba: Although it did not seem fun at the time, looking back I would say my favorite memories of pharmacy school have been the long days spent at the library with friends—sharing snacks, cracking jokes, and studying to be the best pharmacists we can be together. Attending professional conferences such as the Midyear Regional Meeting, APhA’s Annual & Exposition, and Michigan Pharmacists Association Annual Convention & Exposition has been another highlight of pharmacy school, and these are conferences I look forward to every year and give me a reason to travel with friends more often!
SPM: Pharmacy school is demanding, especially when you add on additional activities. How do you manage all of your responsibilities?
Habba: I always say that if it’s not in my calendar, it’s not happening! I use my Outlook calendar to block out time for my responsibilities, and this has made me much more efficient! I try to account for other responsibilities that may come up spontaneously, or even social and self-care time. I also use Outlook’s To Do feature because I love being able to cross things off my to-do list, it is so satisfying!
SPM: What are some of your favorite leadership tools and/or resources?
Habba: My greatest resources have always been the wonderfully inspiring mentors I’ve connected with to support my professional journey. Additionally, the book Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High has been an instrumental tool in transforming my leadership and communication style. Susan Davis, PharmD, associate dean for pharmacy at Wayne State University, coordinates a book club for student pharmacist leaders at our college to discuss the book and relevant situations to our experiences as student leaders. The most impactful lesson I learned from our book club discussions is that you need to start with the heart when navigating high-stakes, or any, conversations. To have a constructive and meaningful dialogue, you should ask yourself what your goals are for the conversation and approach it from a place of genuine curiosity. Go into it looking to understand and avoid making assumptions.
SPM: What does being a leader mean, and what does being selected for this award mean, to you?
Habba: To me, being a leader means leading by example. My leadership philosophy is frequently changing as I grow and face new experiences, but there is one practice that remains consistent: I demonstrate leadership by supporting my team, emphasizing their strengths, working with them to identify focus opportunities, and being a source of encouragement along the way.
To be a recipient of an APhA Student Leadership Award is an honor beyond measure. I’m incredibly grateful for my APhA–ASP Chapter Advisor Brittany Stewart, RD, PharmD, who put together this nomination to recognize my efforts and gathered a team of faculty and students to support this initiative. Dr. Stewart serves as my unwavering source of encouragement and has inspired me to do the same for others. I appreciate the APhA Student Leadership Award as a tribute to my efforts so far. It’s just the beginning for all that I hope to accomplish in the future as I continue my involvement with APhA on local and national levels.
SPM: OK, here’s a fun question: Who is your favorite Disney character and why?
Habba: I couldn’t think of a favorite Disney character that really stuck out to me, so I took a BuzzFeed quiz to see which character I am most in tune with and matched with Moana! Although I’m not the outdoorsy type, I sometimes enjoy going on a spontaneous adventure. Moana exhibits empathy and compassion, which I find to be character traits that resonate with me.
SPM: What’s next for you?
Habba: I hope to continue to grow as a knowledgeable and compassionate student leader and future pharmacist. I’m determined to grow my skillset so that I can provide advanced, collaborative, and value-based care in the community pharmacy setting. Upon graduation from pharmacy school, I plan to pursue a community-based pharmacy residency. In the long term, I aspire to become an academic community pharmacist. My goal is to mentor the next generation of pharmacists as a preceptor and as faculty to strengthen our profession and provide the best possible care for the patients in my community.