APhA Member News
APhA staff
A minute with...
Joelle Frady
Third-year student pharmacist,
University of Kansas, and pharmacy intern,
The University of Kansas Health System
Olathe Campus, Olathe, KS
Member since 2022
How would you say your membership has been valuable to your career?
APhA has been the foundation of my personal and professional growth, from serving as Operation Reproductive Health chair to chapter vice president of patient care to contact person on the International Standing Committee. Through these roles, I’ve been empowered by APhA with the confidence to strive for excellence and seize opportunities I never imagined for myself.
What excites you about the profession of pharmacy?
As the field of pharmacy continues to evolve, I am excited about the growing recognition of pharmacists’ expertise and the lasting impact we can make in our communities through our specialized knowledge and patient-centered care.
How has APhA helped you establish meaningful connections?
APhA fosters an environment of mentorship and collaboration, connecting me with experienced pharmacists, new practitioners, and fellow student leaders who are passionate about shaping the future of pharmacy.
How has APhA helped prepare you for your career as a pharmacist?
APhA has provided a strong foundation for my aspirations as a pharmacist by giving me a platform to advocate for patients, advance my career goals, and build lasting connections with individuals who continually inspire me to grow both personally and professionally.
Can you share a meaningful story about a time you interacted with a patient?
While counseling a patient on their routine AFib discharge medications, they asked why certain medications had been discontinued. This opened the door for a deeper conversation about their treatment plan, allowing me to explain the benefits of each medication. The patient expressed gratitude, saying they had never fully understood their regimen before, which reinforced the importance of patient education in improving health outcomes. ■
APhA Foundation student scholarship applications
This program recognizes student pharmacists who invest their time in their school’s APhA–ASP Chapter to help shape the future of the profession while managing the demands of a full-time pharmacy curriculum. There are over 20 named scholarships available. Applicants will be evaluated on their potential to become leaders for the profession of pharmacy, as demonstrated by involvement in school and community activities and academic performance.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Complete at least 1 academic year in the professional sequence of courses.
- Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent grading system) in professional coursework during pharmacy school.
- Be an active member in APhA–ASP for student pharmacists in the United States and Puerto Rico. The applicant must show participation in his or her chapter’s activities but is not required to hold a leadership position.
- Previous APhA Foundation student scholarship recipients are not eligible; however, previous applicants who did not receive a scholarship are welcome to reapply.
Applications close December 1, 2025, at 11:59 pm PT. Visit www.aphafoundation.org/student-scholarships to learn more and apply. ■
The OUD Paradigm Shift webinar
For the first time in years, 2024 saw a decline in opioid-related overdoses, thanks largely to pharmacists expanding access to lifesaving opioid antagonists. However, stigma remains a barrier that will need to be overcome to fully win the fight against opioids.
Join us for The OUD Paradigm Shift on October 16, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm ET to learn about strategies to reduce stigma for patients seeking support and pharmacotherapy for OUD. An addiction medicine physician and a pharmacist in recovery will discuss the evolving landscape of pain and SUD management. This accredited webinar aims to deepen your understanding of OUD and offers practical strategies for delivering compassionate care.
Visit apha.us/OUDParadigmShift to reserve your spot today. ■
Show You Know: Anticoagulants in Older Adults
Did you know that one in three patients on a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) for AFib or venous thromboembolism also take aspirin without clear indication, increasing bleeding risk by 30% and doubling cardiac event risks?
Anticoagulation therapy in older adults requires careful consideration due to age-related changes in physiology, increased risk of comorbidities, and higher susceptibility to adverse drug reactions. Take the Show You Know: Anticoagulants in Older Adults quiz to test your skills in DOAC dosing for older adults, deprescribing decisions, anticoagulant selection, and shared decision making. Whether you’re an expert or in need of a refresh, this five-question quiz is a quick way to enhance your skills.
Visit apha.us/Anticoagulants to take the quiz and learn about the latest recommendations for anticoagulant use in the older adult population. ■
Pharmacy-based Vaccination: Implementation of Risk-Based Recommendations Practice Insights
Immunizing pharmacists play a critical role in protecting patients from serious respiratory illnesses such as RSV and pneumococcal disease. But identifying who’s at risk—and when—isn’t always straightforward.
Earlier this year, APhA conducted a national survey and roundtable, gathering insights from pharmacists across diverse practice settings to better understand the challenges and opportunities in implementing risk-based vaccination recommendations.
Key findings from the survey include:
- Only 83% of pharmacists correctly identified RSV as having a risk-based recommendation.
- Time constraints, limited access to EHRs, and patient hesitancy are major implementation challenges.
- Many pharmacists rely on self-attestation and medication lists to identify at-risk patients.
These findings highlight the need for better tools, training, and support to help pharmacists confidently implement risk-based vaccination recommendations.Visit apha.us/RiskBasedImmunization to download Pharmacy-based Vaccination: Implementation of Risk-Based Recommendations Practice Insights. ■