Sami Gangji is a third-year PharmD candidate at The University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy.
Communities are a new aspect of APhA membership this year, a place where like-minded individuals can connect, collaborate, and grow with those who share interests and goals. These Communities are the heart of APhA, where members can expand their network, enhance leadership skills, and strengthen professional development. Each Community has opportunities to volunteer and engage to create resources, products, and services that advance the pharmacy profession and improve patient care.
There are 22 Communities that student pharmacists can join—as an active APhA member, you are automatically part of the Student Pharmacists Community, so there’s 23 total—each focused on a specific area of pharmacy practice or professional interest. The Communities are: Academia; Board Certified Pharmacists; Care of Underserved Patients; Diabetes Management; Health System; Immunization; Quality-Based Care; New Practitioners; Pharmacist; Preceptors; Research and Science; Pharmacy Technician; Ambulatory Care Practice; Compounding; Community Pharmacy Practice; Federal/Government Pharmacy; Industry/Medical Affairs; International; Medication Management; Radiopharmaceuticals; Pain, Palliative Care, and Substance Use Disorder; Public Health; and Transitions of Care.
Why should student pharmacists join?
Communities are a great way for student pharmacists to learn about different areas of the pharmacy profession and help grow their current interests.
There are several benefits to student pharmacists joining, including networking with like-minded peers and professionals, resource sharing of exclusive content and industry updates, and collaboration on various initiatives such as research and professional development.
I have already joined four Communities based on my professional interests. I do not know what area of pharmacy practice I want to pursue once I graduate, and these Communities help me explore everything I am interested in. Joining a Community allows me to connect and engage with professionals in these areas and help understand what area of pharmacy I want to go into. One of my favorite parts of joining different Communities so far is exploring APhA ENGAGE to follow along with industry updates and see different opportunities to become involved.
Each Community also has a student pharmacist liaison who helps contribute to the Community and serves as the student pharmacist voice. Several of the liaisons have been featured in Student Pharmacist, and more articles are on the way!
What you will find in the Student Pharmacists Community
The Student Pharmacists Community provides opportunities for professional growth to improve patient care and to envision and advance the future of pharmacy. From networking to developing leadership skills and gaining hands-on experience, student pharmacist membership in APhA helps you begin your career.
Within the Community, you can explore the ways student pharmacists can get involved in the policy process and shape the voice of the profession; get involved with leadership opportunities at the local, regional, and national levels; discover how your chapter can get involved with the nationally recognized patient care projects; apply for one of the many awards and scholarships APhA offers to student pharmacists; and connect with fellow student pharmacists and participate in one of the unique meeting experiences offered by APhA. Access to student e-newsletters and chapter officer resources are also available.
How you can join
Everyone can join one or more Communities that align with their interests. There are also opportunities to start new Communities that do not exist yet. All Community members have access to APhA ENGAGE networking platform to stay updated with the Community.
Visit pharmacist.com/Membership/Communities to learn more about the different opportunities and join a Community today! If you have any questions regarding Communities, reach out to Ericka Ochoa at eochoa@aphanet.org.