Ramey Hensley is a final-year PharmD candidate at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy.
I have vivid memories of being a young girl playing “teacher” in the makeshift classroom of my childhood basement. For a 10 year old, it was quite the operation. My “students” were really my sisters and neighborhood friends, but I took it seriously. I had my padfolio, homework assignments, and a very strict set of classroom rules. While I won’t be pulling any lesson plans from those classes 15 years later, I am now honored to serve as the Academia Community student pharmacist liaison.
It’s amazing to think about how my passion for teaching has been alive for quite some time.
Helping to shape educational programming
The mission of the Academia Community is “to define APhA’s vision through the development of thoughtful programming, advocacy, publications and guidance documents, and networking that will result in the advancement and success of the academia setting, leaders, and practitioners.”
As the student pharmacist liaison, my role is to bring the student perspective to leadership discussions and ensure student voices are included in conversations that shape APhA educational programming and academic pharmacy.
Career prep
After graduation, I plan to pursue a residency in community pharmacy or ambulatory care, followed by an academic fellowship. My involvement in APhA and the Academia Community allows me to create connections with faculty members from schools and colleges of pharmacy across the country.
Student pharmacists rarely see behind the curtain of PharmD programs, so it is important for me to gain insight into the academic life, including faculty workload and service expectations. One of my favorite parts about being involved in APhA is how closely it mirrors the service component of a faculty career. It’s like I am experiencing pieces of academia even before beginning the role!
Invaluable connections
If you are interested in academia, I highly recommend getting involved as a student pharmacist. The connections you form with faculty members are invaluable, and the more you know now, the smoother the transition will be into an academic career later.
So, whether you’re seeking mentorship, networking opportunities, or insights to advance your career, the APhA Communities provide the support and resources you need. And if you’re passionate about academia like I am, join us in the Community and be sure to check out the 22 other Communities as well at www.pharmacist.com/Membership/Communities.