New Mexico true
Cherry Dzur, Courtney Thomas, and Monica Valentin are final-year PharmD candidates at The University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy.
When thinking about New Mexico, many envision a canvas made up of green and red chiles, and balloon-filled skies. Few know, however, that New Mexico is one of the leading states guiding pharmacy practice nationally. In a state faced with unique needs, including a predominantly rural population of just over 2 million, a high percentage of poverty, and an extensive physician shortage, pharmacists have stepped up to meet those needs.
As the only pharmacy school in the state, The University of New Mexico (UNM) College of Pharmacy APhA–ASP Chapter has strived to create a foundation promoting leadership, growth, and community. This foundation led the chapter to receiving the APhA–ASP Chapter Operational Leadership Award at the 2026 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Los Angeles this past March.
Pushing the boundaries
In areas where care is limited, pharmacists in New Mexico have transformed pharmacy practice to meet the needs of communities where they are. For instance, pharmacists can practice at the top of their license by independently prescribing medications through collaborative practice agreements, utilizing standing orders, adhering to outlined protocols, and leading clinical initiatives. This expansive scope of practice is a direct result of the continuous advocacy and passion of local APhA–ASP student pharmacist members who refuse to let the pharmacy profession stand still. The UNM Chapter has the incredible privilege of pushing the boundaries of pharmacy practice, but this is not without its challenges.
Over the last 2 years, our chapter has faced changes that have impacted the entire outreach program for the last couple of school years. New legal binding agreements created significant administrative obstacles resulting in delays that directly hindered the chapter's ability to deliver timely outreach and maximize the impact on patients within the community. However, as a chapter in a state that is well-acquainted with unconventional approaches to problems, the team adapted to each new obstacle and shifted the attention to building a new foundation that would empower continued advocacy for the profession and patients.
Quiet and understated leadership
Operational leadership is often invisible; it lives in logistics, communication, strict adherence to timelines, and the seamless coordination of moving parts. Excellent leadership is dynamic and encompasses many operational styles, adapting seamlessly to the needs of the team, chapter goals, and intended outcomes. For our chapter, the quiet and understated leadership became the backbone that made a year of unprecedented community engagement possible. The team approached public health initiatives not just as events, but as highly organized clinical operations.
Receiving the APhA–ASP Chapter Operational Leadership Award is a profound reminder of the impact that this profession can have on communities. It validates that the rigorous standards the chapter maintains through various initiatives directly translate to safer and effective patient care. It demonstrates that being a student pharmacist is more than just careful memorization; it is being an active participant in the future of health care. Knowing that the chapter’s strong foundation remains, we were honored to be recognized for our leadership at this year’s annual meeting.
Go Lobos!