Rachel Dawson is a second-year PharmD candidate at the Union University College of Pharmacy.
For some people—including students who declare a pre-pharmacy track—pharmacy is simply a rewarding career to pursue. There is limited knowledge about the profession beyond media portrayal, and they simply expect pharmacy school to be a harder version of their current coursework. That’s why it is our job as student pharmacists to intentionally engage these students and show them how our incredible profession runs so much deeper than what society sees. It’s our responsibility to expose them to the tight-knit community, the professional development, and the endless opportunities that pharmacy fosters so that when the days get long and classes get tough, they are encouraged to keep working diligently.
My passion and involvement in the profession and professional organizations started a year before my time at the Union University College of Pharmacy did. It all began with Natalie Mausey, a student pharmacist who believed that pre-pharmacy students could contribute substantially to the profession.
Pharmacy Phriend support
Natalie always found time in her busy schedule to take me out for coffee and answer my endless questions about pharmacy school, ease my nerves, and instill courage within me. She invited me to join her in her study room at the pharmacy building on campus, allowing me to become familiar with my future stomping grounds. She consistently included me in various events with student pharmacists and faculty members, allowing me to build relationships with the people that would soon become pivotal in my own pharmacy journey. Her impact continues today.
From Natalie’s passion, a program called Pharmacy Phriends was created. In this program, each pre-pharmacy student received a mentor from our APhA–ASP Chapter, who was encouraged to serve as a familiar face for the student at various chapter events and fundraisers. Natalie was my Pharmacy Phriend.
Around that time, the establishment of the Pre-Pharmacy Organization (PPO) at the university was underway, and I was one of the people leading the charge along with Natalie, our admissions director, and another student pharmacist. Collaboration between these two organizations has proven crucial in our success of involving students in APhA–ASP.
We encourage pre-pharmacy students to join nationally during their undergraduate experience and participate in the opportunities APhA–ASP offers them. In addition, our chapter has partnered with our admissions office to implement incentives like PharmCAS fee waivers for pre-pharmacy students who are members of APhA every year leading up to pharmacy school matriculation
As of this year, our chapter is adding a pre-APhA–ASP liaison to our executive council. This student will help brainstorm ways that other pre-pharmacy students can contribute to the chapter and advertises upcoming events and fundraisers at the monthly PPO meetings.
With the Midyear Regional Meeting just completing and the APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition on the horizon, we recognize that professional meetings are an integral part of the profession. Exposing potential student pharmacists to how insightful, empowering, and encouraging these meetings are and showing them how to network and build relationships leaves a more profound impact than we could ever imagine.
Be like Natalie
We’re products of encouragement, mentorship, and preparation both during and after school. I believe that we as student pharmacists have a responsibility to pour into the upcoming generation even now. Pre-pharmacy students have so much to offer our chapters of APhA–ASP, and as president of my chapter this year, I’m passionate about laying bricks upon the foundation that also supports me.
Because of Natalie’s investment in me, I walked into pharmacy school on day one with a clear vision of where I wanted to invest my time, energy, and resources. How are you going to be “the Natalie” in someone else’s pharmacy journey?