Katie McDuffie is a second-year PharmD candidate at the High Point University Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy and the Region 3 2023–2024 APhA–ASP Midyear Regional Meeting Coordinator (MRMC).
My 2024 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition Friday (March 22) started off with waking up before my alarm in excitement. I was at APhA2024 in Orlando! I couldn’t wait to get the day started. I quickly got ready and arrived at the convention center by 7:00 am—perhaps a little too early—so I could register and find the room for my first session.
During the APhA–ASP Delegates to the APhA House of Delegates session, we heard from APhA–ASP Speaker of the House Mark Nagel about the resolutions that were going to be debated throughout the weekend. After this, I was off to the First Timer’s session. Despite this being my second APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition, this was the first time I was able to go to the session. It offered valuable insights from past APhA–ASP President Kennedy Erickson, PharmD, proving there’s always something new to learn.
Next up was the Power of Student Pharmacists Showcase, where students from across the nation presented posters on innovative projects, the APhA–ASP Member Engagement Standing Committee shared the success of the six national APhA–ASP patient care projects, and student pharmacists met the individuals campaigning for APhA–ASP national office.
One standout for me was Rosalind Franklin College of Pharmacy’s membership “mocktail” event. This was an amazing idea to boost participation in membership drives while informing student pharmacists about the benefits of APhA–ASP. I really hope I can adopt this idea at my chapter next year.
Then came the superhero-filled APhA–ASP Student Kick-off!
Soaking it all in
The APhA–ASP National Executive Committee made appearances on the big screen, adding a touch of Marvel magic to the proceedings. It was such a creative idea! Having missed out on this session last year, I relished the chance to soak it all in, gaining valuable ideas to bring back to my chapter. Lipscomb University’s innovative approach to Operation Immunization, in which more experienced student pharmacists mentored first-year PharmD candidates on vaccination techniques, particularly caught my attention. Hopefully I can implement this idea within my own chapter.
The commentary from 2024 APhA Outstanding Dean Award recipient Tom Campbell, PharmD, BCPS—also from Lipscomb University—provided some great insights on how to be an effective team leader as student pharmacists and future practitioners. Some of the pearls of wisdom I took away were to make sure you engage all your team members, be transparent in what you do, and know when to step back and let your team members shine. I hope I can bring this advice to my own leadership style as I continue in my APhA–ASP regional officer position and chapter president at my school.
Friday award recipients
Here are the chapters that were honored with national recognition for their outstanding efforts.
Operation Immunization
During the fall of 2023, APhA–ASP Operation Immunization Regional Award recipients were recognized as part of the Midyear Regional Meetings. The 2022–2023 national, first runner-up, and second runner-up award-winning chapters were recognized.
National Winner: The University of New Mexico
First Runner-up: Lipscomb University
Second Runner-up: University of the Pacific
Operation Immunization is supported by Walgreens.
Operation Reproductive Health
Through Operation Reproductive Health, student pharmacists reach out to their communities to provide health and wellness services focused on cancer prevention through HPV vaccination and improving reproductive health education.
National Winner: University of Florida
First Runner-up: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Second Runner-up: University of Minnesota
Operation Reproductive Health is supported by Merck.
Operation Heart
Through participation in Operation Heart, student pharmacists work in their communities to encourage lifestyle modifications, monitor associated risk factors, and provide education about medications for heart disease.
National Winner: Idaho State University
First Runner-up: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Second Runner-up: University of Southern California
APhA–ASP Chapter Professionalism Award: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences–Boston
APhA–ASP Patient Care Award: University of Pittsburgh
APhA–ASP Most Improved Chapter: Binghamton University
APhA–ASP Chapter Operational Leadership Award: Union University
APhA–ASP Policy & Legislative Award: Idaho State University
Outstanding IPSF Activity Award: The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
APhA–ASP Outstanding Dean Award: Tom Campbell, PharmD, BCPS, Lipscomb University
Official MRMC duties
Following the kick-off, I got lunch and then went to the APhA–ASP Enhancing the Pharmacist–Patient Conversation (supported by Novavax) focused on vaccine hesitancy, which was very interesting. Following that, my fellow MRMCs and I headed on stage along with Mark Nagel for the APhA–ASP Open Hearing on Proposed Resolutions and New Business. This session served as a platform for any student pharmacist attendees who had questions, comments, or concerns about the resolutions and new business items that would be discussed in the APhA–
ASP House of Delegates the next day.
I had a fantastic time documenting what the chapters had to say about the resolutions that the regional officers spent so much time crafting. The feedback shared by student pharmacists is always impressive. After this session, some of the other MRMCs and I got dinner before we went to the APhA Opening General Session.
Motivated by keynote speaker
The APhA Opening General Session was amazing and truly eye-opening in my opinion. We heard from keynote speaker Ryan Leak, who discussed the three key lessons he’s learned from “Chasing Failure.” This included thinking about the people who got you to where you are and how you need to thank them. This spoke to me because sometimes we take for granted the mentors we have in our life, and it was great to have a speaker to tell us to remember to acknowledge them. You would not be where you are today without the help of multiple mentors, so remember to thank them.
Leak also talked about considering what you would do if you knew you could not fail. This was an eye-opening question and had me thinking: Would I open my own clinic to help those in need? Would I apply for that position I never thought I would get? Would I communicate my successes and struggles without the fear and anxiety of doing so?
What would you do if you knew you could not fail? Would you advocate that pharmacists should be considered medical providers and appropriately compensated? After day 1 of APhA2024, I know that I would.
What would you do to unleash the power of pharmacy?