Cristian Rodriquez is a final-year PharmD candidate at the Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy and a member of the 2023–2024 APhA–ASP Communications Standing Committee.
I recently completed an APPE elective rotation with the APhA Student & New Practitioner Development Department and cannot speak more highly about the spectacular experience I had. Below are a few activities I was able to participate in during my time at APhA headquarters in Washington DC, which helped round out my favorite APPE rotation experience so far.
Student engagement and marketing
My very first opportunity given to me at APhA was a trip to Howard University to help with the filming of content for an American Pharmacists Month promotional video. Along with marketing staff members Robert Hodges and Daniella Muñoz, I met the professional videographer for a day of filming and creative planning for the video. The best part of this trip was that I was allowed to give input and even conduct one of the interviews of our participants who was filmed for the video.
I also was invited to help host a trio of virtual student webinars by various staff members. These included the Meet Your CEO, APhA Foundation Scholarship, and Regional Officer Interest webinars. Having this platform to share my APhA journey with fellow students was a huge honor for me. I have had a plethora of mentors and opportunities that have opened doors in my pharmacy career. My goal is to do the same for students to come and having the ability to host these webinars helps me to share my story.
Sharing my perspective on behalf of students
I was lucky enough to have an APhA Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting land during my 6-week rotation. BoT members convene to discuss aspects of the organization and brainstorm the future of APhA. It was incredible to be able to watch this meeting from the gallery and see our APhA–ASP National President Victoria Lyle represent student pharmacists in a room full of pharmacy leaders. I was even invited to speak when the board discussed the topic of student engagement, and was honored to share my perspective on behalf of students across the country.
Additionally, the APhA Foundation Pinnacle Awards took place that weekend at the conclusion of the BoT meeting. This awards ceremony is a celebration of pharmacists and pharmacies that have made outstanding contributions to the profession and is hosted and awarded by the APhA Foundation. Pharmacists from across the country gathered to celebrate the award winners and I was able to take advantage of all the networking opportunities.
Student outreach visits
Student Outreach visits were the highlight of my time with APhA. I was fortunate to be able to travel around the country and visit fellow student pharmacists and their chapters. Going to places such as Georgia, New Jersey, and Oregon really gives perspective to life as a student pharmacist. Not every student pharmacist has the same opportunities or the same experiences available, and it was great to see how APhA–ASP looks in various places across the country. Getting to travel to new places? It’s hard to find a better opportunity for perspective than that!
An office in DC
Of course, every APPE student has a different experience based on their skill sets and passions. This rotation really is what you decide to make of it, though, and I cannot encourage you more to experience what it’s like living in Washington, DC. Just being able to have my “office” in the home of pharmacy is an experience itself, but on top of that, attending local sporting events, networking with current residents, fellows, and staff members, and seeing attractions in the capital city are what made this rotation one I will never forget.
Leaving was extremely difficult and I genuinely felt deep sadness having to walk away, but that speaks to the level of effort the APhA staff puts in to making sure their students receive the best experience possible. If you are thinking of applying, stop thinking and do it. I promise you will not regret it, and you will make memories that last a lifetime.
For more information on the APhA Experiential Program in Association Management & Leadership, go to www.pharmacist.com/Membership/Student-Pharmacists/APhA-Experiential-Programs.