Molly Mahan is a final-year PharmD candidate at the Purdue University College of Pharmacy.
When I was finishing up my third year of pharmacy school at the Purdue University College of Pharmacy last spring, I was also wrapping up my 2 years as the Operation Reproductive Health chair for my APhA–ASP Chapter. I attended my first professional conference that semester at the 2025 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition before leaving campus for my first APPE block. At APhA2025, I felt very connected to the association, as well as the professional and personal relationships I’ve built at Purdue University through APhA. I wanted to maintain that sense of connection when I transitioned away from campus life.
That’s when I discovered the APhA Communities.
Connected to the cause
As I was entering a new chapter myself, APhA was also evolving to better serve the needs of its members with diverse professional backgrounds and interests. The opportunity to apply for the APhA International Community’s student liaison position was exciting to me because it offered the chance to further explore my interest in global health and meet more APhA members beyond Purdue, including pharmacists and other student pharmacists.
Also, I felt especially connected to the cause of increasing international collaboration after completing my first APPE at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya. Learning from Kenyan pharmacists and physicians during my 8 weeks there was very eye-opening, and I am confident that the experience will shape how I view patient care for the rest of my career.
Everyone has a voice
I relish my time in the APhA International Community because of the way it’s connected to intelligent, talented pharmacists from around the world, and I appreciate how the leaders of this community value my perspective as a student pharmacist.
This experience as the Community’s student liaison has given me the confidence to pursue the career that I have always dreamed of through residency. From improving my time management skills to learning what it takes to be a part of an organization bigger than yourself, APhA has played a key role in preparing me to be a leader. Additionally, at the 2026 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition later this month, the APhA International Community is looking forward to an exciting networking and CV review session, as well as the session on implementing new clinical services with Ashley Moose, PharmD!
Whether you choose to be a part of the International Community or your interests lead you to one of the other 22 communities in APhA, I hope that you don’t underestimate yourself as a student pharmacist. These smaller groups within APhA are intended so that everyone, including student pharmacists, has a voice and has a place to pursue their professional goals and interests. I know I’m grateful for this opportunity that APhA has given me to collaborate and grow as I look toward my future as a pharmacist.
Check out the APhA Communities and join now at www.pharmacist.com/Membership/Communities.