During their first business meeting, the 2009–10 APhA–ASP National Executive Committee (NEC) updated the APhA–ASP mission statement to include the phrase “to improve patient care.” While it might not have officially been written until then, the one theme that has stayed a part of APhA–ASP since the beginning is “service.” 

As noted elsewhere in this issue, 1981 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the first American 
Pharmaceutical Association chapters on the campuses of our schools and colleges of pharmacy. It is an appropriate time, then, both to look back at the significant achievement of our chapters since 1931 and to assess where we should be heading in the next half century.

Without a crystal ball, it is impossible to accurately predict the course the profession of pharmacy will take in the next 50 years, but there appear to be some areas of activity in which SAPhA chapters could involve themselves in the future which would both help to influence the profession’s course and help to ensure that our future practitioners are viable participants:

If APhA–ASP ceased to exist, would our communities miss us? Would our patients miss us? Even further, would the profession miss us? As the APhA Student and New Practitioner Development Staff spent time researching and delving through the APhA archives for the 50th anniversary celebration this year, I have contemplated that question several times over. 

However, I didn’t have to go too far to find an answer.

Mark A. Pulido (University of Arizona)
1975–76 SAPhA Vice President

I am an advisor, investor, and philanthropist who brings leadership expertise in health care and technology. I am the former CEO and Chairman of ABILITY Network, acquired by Inovalon, a private equity investor and advisor. Prior to that, I led several of the most prominent health care and technology companies in the world: President and CEO of McKesson Corporation and President and CEO of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (USA). I previously served as Chairman of the Board for Quidel Corporation, and on the boards of the Charles Schwab Corporation, Imation Corporation, Sunrise Medical, Inc., and Smile Brands Group. I am also co-founder of the Pulido~Walker Foundation.

Since you all have been trying to start the spring semester and new year on the right foot, I thought it would be beneficial to share some helpful insights and tips on time management that has alleviated some stress for me so far in pharmacy school. 

1. Get a head start
It can be difficult to manage time between school, work, extracurricular activities, and making time for yourself. First and foremost, it is extremely important to map out your schedule and your day-to-day activities. Invest in a planner or make an electronic calendar where you have all your exams, events, work schedules, and meetings in one place. This will not only help you with time management but will also prevent you from burning out. 

You have heard this one a lot throughout your school career: “Do not procrastinate.” Get a head start on studying for exams early and you will thank yourself later. I try to do that by reviewing for each lecture before I go to class. This small step prepares me and makes me feel ahead.