Alexa Campbell is a final-year PharmD candidate at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, Gainesville, and a member of the 2022–2023 APhA–ASP International Standing Committee.
I left Florida on a breezy 7-hour drive to Birmingham, AL, brimming with excitement to reconnect with my fellow national standing committee members and network with student pharmacists from all over the southeast at the Region 3 Midyear Regional Meeting (MRM) the weekend of October 28 to October 30.
After the opening ceremonies on Friday night, our keynote speaker, Valerie Prince, PharmD, APhA president-elect, gave us two goals: to share our experience with our chapters and friends and to explain how much we gain by being physically together in the sharing of ideas. She asked us to take the leap and be daring leaders, and that is what I’ve set out to do.
My #MRMMoment
After a yummy breakfast, Saturday’s programming included a presentation about vaccine confidence in which Macary Marciniak, PharmD, an associate professor at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, provided student pharmacists the tools and statistics they need to combat vaccination myths and conversation strategies to provide credibility, make our patients feel heard, and promote public health.
Later, after Emma Meyer, a national APhA–ASP Policy Standing Committee member, gave a brief overview of the policy process, we began to hear proposed resolutions from many different chapters. Consider this my #1 MRM moment! Seeing and hearing a group of forward-thinking health care professionals come together to advocate for progression of the field of pharmacy as well as a positive environment for our patients was impactful.
Active at the expo
During the afternoon exposition, Grant Smith, Joanne Shen, and I provided information about the APhA–ASP International Standing Committee, a committee we’ve loved being a part of this year. Student pharmacists flooded our international flag-clad table while we explained the joys of the Student Exchange Program and networking on a global scale.
Attendees also viewed the innovation posters with creative ideas from regional chapters as well as discussed job opportunities with local and national companies. In the hallway with beautiful natural lighting, attendees had the opportunity to take professional headshots. Once we ended for the evening, we had the opportunity to explore Birmingham with a list of recommended restaurants in hand and new friends to have around the table.
As successful as ever
Sunday brought an introduction of national opportunities within the academy. Region 3 had at least one member from each standing committee and executive committee to share their wide range of experiences so far through their terms. The closing ceremonies commenced with elections for next year’s regional officers and the most innovative project, and it ended with regional chapter awards and teary speeches from our outgoing regional officers. After the ceremony concluded, everyone in the room headed back to their chapters with tools to improve their leadership by taking risks and spreading the word about the power of in-person connection, especially how to hear our patients and ease their vaccination concerns. Attendees hugged goodbye, connected on LinkedIn, and exchanged phone numbers with promises to see each other again soon at the APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Phoenix this March 2023.
Consider Region 3’s MRM as successful as ever!