Karishma Patel (bottom left) and fellow SLI attendees enjoy a “pharmily” meal at APhA headquarters this past July.

Stepping onto the raised platform during the Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy APhA–ASP Chapter 2017–18 Leadership Retreat during the first week of September was one of the most terrifying and thrilling experiences I have had. My first night addressing student members and leaders as Chapter President was pivotal, and it represented the pace and vision our chapter would set forth for the year. My goal was to inspire each student to realize the full potential they have both personally and professionally as a student pharmacist, a potential they could fulfill with APhA–ASP. 

A potential I honestly would not have fully realized and experienced myself without my fellow chapter leaders throughout the country. I met those leaders while attending the APhA–ASP Summer Leadership Institute (SLI) in July, and the experience was truly a game changer for me.

In 2001, SLI activities included an APhA egg hunt on the National Mall.

This July marks the 20th anniversary of the APhA–ASP Summer Leadership Institute (SLI). Established in 1997, the SLI has become an annual celebration of and training for student pharmacist leaders across the country. Approximately 3,000 student pharmacists have “graduated” from SLI, many of whom have gone on to apply these leadership skills as APhA–ASP regional or national officers, post-graduation as officers of state or national associations, and positional and non-positional pioneers in their fields of pharmacy.

Inception and continued vision

A look back to the spring 1997 issue of Pharmacy Student (renamed Student Pharmacist in 2005) reveals the forward thinking in the development of SLI. Josh Benner, APhA–ASP President at the time, wrote, “The success of our profession depends on the successful development of today’s students, who are tomorrow’s leaders… [this is] a valuable investment in pharmacy’s future.”

Over 2 decades, student pharmacists have been exposed to keynote speakers such as Sheryl Benzon, who spoke to the significance of professionalism and leaders as coaches (versus managers), and Ron Culberson, who challenged attendees to re-evaluate stressful situations and achieve success. 

Mental health is a hot topic of discussion within the health care community. More people are gaining access to, and taking advantage of, mental health services. As such, pharmacists will have an active and increased role in the treatment of patients going forward. The U.S. Armed Forces is a great example of this model as they have provided pathways for thousands of service members to address mental health issues. 

To better frame this discussion, I interviewed a pharmacist and two student pharmacists (who are all either current or former members of the U.S. military) on perception, access, and treatment to mental health care services within a military setting. I interviewed: Jeffrey Neigh, PharmD, MBA, MHA, BCPS, of the U.S. Army, Deputy Director, Pharmacy Service Line and recent APhA Federal Fellow; John Soldner, a third-year PharmD candidate at the Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy and former Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps; and Travis Pagareski, a third-year PharmD candidate at the University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and a current Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve.