Vera Obi (second from right) sought to make and preserve memories from her first MRM.
By Vera Obi
Have you ever attended a meeting and kept noticing that almost everyone there had huge smiles on their faces, and when you talked to them, it felt like you had known each other forever, like an instant connection? Well, that is what I experienced when I attended my first Midyear Regional Meeting (MRM) this past fall.
Traveling to the Region 6 MRM in St. Louis, MO, was one of the best decisions I made in 2018. I have made the most amazing friends throughout my time as an APhA–ASP member, and it is a great feeling knowing that you can visit with others who share the same passion.
My #MRMMoments
The policy proceedings were incredible, eye-opening experiences. During these sessions, I learned so much about how the policies debated can have an impact on the future of pharmacy. It was energizing how everyone was “fueled up” during the policy sessions. Reflecting on this, I realized that the passion the students have is not only important to this meeting and APhA–ASP, but also to the profession as a whole. I have always believed that leaders are not born, but are created through hard work, and the APhA–ASP policy process is one example of this ideal.
I also truly appreciated the networking opportunities during the Career Connection Opportunities Expo. It was interesting to learn about the different fellowship and residency opportunities and meet employers from around the area. While I ended up collecting enough free pens to last the year, most importantly, I gained valuable information that will help me in my future career.
Additionally, APhA–ASP was also very successful in creating an exciting atmosphere for attendees by providing amazing speakers and fun games throughout the weekend. Great food was always available, and we found time to take group pictures any chance we could. Capturing these bonding moments with other student pharmacists through pictures was a great way to preserve these memories.
Embracing my calling
MRM focuses on providing great leadership advice, ways to succeed as a team, and how to discover your inner potential. By sharing their own experiences, current APhA–ASP leaders helped attendees address their fears and realize their strengths and skills. I found their advice very valuable and helpful not only in pharmacy school, but in life as a whole.
I was also very pleased to witness the new regional officer elections. Just watching fellow student pharmacists express themselves on what APhA–ASP meant to them and why they wanted to serve was mind-blowing. In that very moment, I found my purpose. I said to myself, “This is what I want to do,” and the three things that kept coming to my mind were: “Serve, lead, and inspire.”
Prior to attending the meeting, I had heard of the awesome opportunities MRM had to offer. What I discovered about those students who were running for regional positions was how their first MRM brought about their desire to become more involved in APhA–ASP.
MRM2018 encouraged me to embrace my calling as well as reach out to others and help them find their purpose. After this meeting, I found myself encouraging every single student pharmacist I came across at my chapter to join APhA–ASP. Also, during my leisure time, I try to come up with ideas to get other student pharmacists passionate about APhA–ASP, and what differences I can make in my local chapter. For me, it is all about how many people I can reach.
This meeting has taught me so many life values like leadership, overcoming fears, and other lessons that will help me in life. I hope to implement all the great ideas I learned in my local chapter. I am proud to be part of the largest pharmacy organization and to serve an organization that genuinely cares about the future of pharmacy. APhA–ASP is very diverse, and I am glad to call it home.
I challenge every student pharmacist to overcome their fears, get more involved, go to their MRM in 2019, and be a light for others to follow.