SLI attendees enjoy the support system that is APhA–ASP.
By Sydney Tu
Traveling from across the country, 237 student pharmacists met in Washington, DC, at the 2018 APhA–ASP Summer Leadership Institute (SLI) in July. Supported by an educational grant provided by Merck, SLI provides professional development and leadership skills to APhA–ASP student leaders, along with teaching them the importance of taking action within legislative and patient care activities.
On Friday morning, student pharmacists gathered at the Rayburn House Office Building to hear from Reps. Raul Ruiz, MD, (D–CA); Buddy Carter, BSPharm, (R–GA); and Markwayne Mullin (R–OK). Shortly after, 215 student pharmacists took to Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf of the profession, conducting more than 150 meetings with their legislators and aides about the importance of having pharmacists on the health care team, and why pharmacists and their services should be recognized in Medicare Part B (H.R. 592/S. 109).
Knowledge drop
Back at the hotel in the afternoon for the official start of SLI, special appearances kicked things off. APhA Executive Vice President and CEO Thomas E. Menighan, BSPharm, MBA, ScD (Hon), FAPhA, answered questions prepared by APhA–ASP National President Nimit Jindal. He shared some tips from his personal leadership experiences and many life lessons. Following the Q&A session, Past APhA President Jean-Venable “Kelly” R. Goode, PharmD, BCPS, FAPhA, FCCP, shared some valuable networking strategies for students to use to connect with one another throughout the weekend. The sessions ended with table discussions led by regional and national student leaders about the successes and challenges faced at each chapter.
Friday concluded with a dinner on the terrace at APhA headquarters, then attendees took a tour of the APhA building and National Mall.
“Be present in the moment”
On Saturday, keynote speaker Ron Culberson coached attendees about “Managing to Be a Great (and Fun) Leader.” Culberson hosted an engaging presentation that sought to teach participants about the qualities of a great leader, managing stress, communicating effectively, and creating a culture where fun and excellence coexist.
Culberson challenged attendees to shake up their routines from time to time, noting, “Each one of you will experience extraordinary things, but if things become too routine, you’ll miss those extraordinary things!”
Women’s Health Campaign
Sunday morning, following a roundtable session that provided information on chapter resources and leadership opportunities, APhA–ASP introduced its new patient care project: the Women’s Health Campaign. Through a new partnership with the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA), ASHA Vice President of Health Policy Deborah Arrindell provided insight into the organization and education that they provide for the community. It was followed by a presentation of why and how chapters can become involved with this campaign, as students also learned about the opportunity to present their project plans and campaign outcomes at the APhA2019 Annual Meeting & Exposition in Seattle.
Your support system
So what did student leader attendees learn and plan to bring back to their own chapters? Leyla Sinyawski provided great insight.
Sinyawski, a second-year PharmD candidate at the Idaho State University College of Pharmacy–Anchorage, said, “SLI introduced me to a family I didn’t even realize I had. To my chapter members, I want to convey how awesome of a support system we have through APhA–ASP. Even though our chapter is new and still getting on its feet, everyone I spoke to at SLI was extremely helpful and willing to be an aide and a resource to us.”