The bright future shines in San Francisco


Written and compiled by Daisy Zhu, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy


The beautiful city of San Francisco, CA, welcomed more than 1,900 student pharmacists from across the country with open arms during the APhA Annual Meeting and Exposition this past March. Blessed with good weather, this year’s meeting not only allowed students to share their passion for the pharmacy profession, but also provided the opportunity to engage in APhA leadership, learn about patient care opportunities, and network with practitioners in the field, allowing for a dynamic and educational 4 days.


Begin Your Legacy


This past year, student pharmacists nationwide turned Together We Can into Together We Did through diverse and innovative patient care projects in their schools and communities. During his inaugural address, incoming APhA–ASP National President Michael Murphy challenged APhA–ASP members to advance careers, strengthen relationships, and enhance mental well-being with a new theme in mind, Begin Your Legacy. He encouraged student pharmacists and chapters alike to focus on creating the legacy that truly reflects who they are and how they want to be remembered.. 


Murphy stated, “We must keep in mind the future, our legacy, and what we are doing each and every day to reach our vision for the future of pharmacy.” 


Career prep sessions


APhA2017 provided student pharmacists with a number of opportunities to network with practicing pharmacists and learn about the different career options. Similar to speed dating, the APhA–ASP Career Booths provided attendees an opportunity to speak with many leading pharmacy practitioners from diverse practice settings. 
Students also gained insight into preparing for a career in pharmacy in the How to Get the Job You Never Knew You Always Wanted and Navigating Career Options in the Pharmaceutical Industry sessions, as well as at the Postgraduate Training, Education, and 
Certification Expsoition.


90s social mixer


On Friday evening, student pharmacists enjoyed a 90s-themed APhA–ASP Welcoming Social, bringing back the memories from this fun decade. APhA–ASP Regional Delegates dressed up as characters from “Toy Story” and showcased some laudable retro-dance moves, while other student pharmacists engaged in a variety of arcade games. Thank you to CVS Pharmacy for sponsoring this event for the 17th year.


An inspiring OGS


To recognize excellence in patient care and community outreach, the regional and national recipients for the Operation Diabetes, Operation Heart, Operation Immunization, and OTC Medicine Safety (see sidebars) were presented during the APhA–ASP Opening General Session (OGS). The recipients of the APhA Foundation Scholarships were also recognized. 


The APhA Foundation Scholarship Recipients announced during the OGS: Kaitlin Bova, Ohio Northern University Raabe College of Pharmacy; Evan Colmenares, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Amanda D’Ostroph, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Jade Kutzke, South Dakota State University College of Pharmacy; Michelle Leatherwood, Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy; Jordan Long, Cedarville University School of Pharmacy; Kevin Mai, Western University of Health Sciences 
College of Pharmacy; Ashley Maister, Thomas Jefferson University Jefferson College of Pharmacy; Nancy Moua, University of New England College of Pharmacy; Elizabeth Rodman, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy; Sarah Schmidt, North Dakota State University School of Pharmacy; Aisha Shokoya, Palm Beach Atlantic University Lloyd L. Gregory School of Pharmacy; and Axel Vazquez-Deida, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy.


Additionally, the Academy was honored to be inspired and entertained by the OGS keynote speaker, humanitarian Alex Sheen, founder of “Because I said I would,” a non-profit organization that advances humanity through promises made and kept. During his speech, Sheen discussed the importance of keeping promises one step at a time. The foundation has created a social movement that exercises on the seven principles: compassion, self-control, sacrifice, honesty, hope, contemplation, and accountability. Today, the organization has made an impact on 150 countries across the globe through “Because I said I would” promise cards. Sheen noted that, “Do what you can with what you have … when you have a strong why, you can be strong.” The speech stroked many heartstrings.


APhA–ASP House of Delegates action


Each year, the APhA–ASP House of Delegates convenes to debate and determine the Academy’s position on some of the most important issues facing the profession. Resolution topics discussed and voted upon by the House focused on the areas of transitions care services, prescription authority of the controlled substances, accessibility of medical equipment and medical devices, mental health management, pharmacy management and monitoring programs. 


The House passed the following resolutions.


2017.1—Expanded Utilization of Pharmacist-and Student Pharmacist-Provided Care Transitions Services 


1. APhA–ASP supports the expanded utilization of pharmacists and student pharmacists as an integral part of the care transitions team.


2. APhA–ASP encourages health care institutions to provide pharmacists with critical tools and support necessary for care transitions services, including but not limited to, staffing, workflow, and access to electronic health information.


3. APhA–ASP supports the implementation and expansion of care transitions education adapted from best practices into both didactic and experiential curricula in all schools and 
colleges of pharmacy.


4. APhA–ASP encourages all stakeholders, including but not limited to CMS and other governmental agencies, to adopt regulations and/or policies that incentivize health care institutions to utilize care transitions pharmacists, especially in hospitals with low performance metrics and/or excessive readmissions within 30 days of discharge.


2017.2—Mandatory E-Prescribing of Schedule II Controlled Substances


1. APhA–ASP recommends mandatory electronic prescribing of all scheduled II controlled substances.


2. APhA–ASP supports the development and implementation of sustainable and financially-viable electronic prescribing models in multidisciplinary settings.


2017.3—Durable Medical Equipment and Medical Devices Ease of Access


1. APhA–ASP supports legislative and regulatory changes that would enable pharmacists, with appropriate training and working as integral members of a health care team, to prescribe durable medical equipment and medical devices, including but not limited to, those used for the delivery and monitoring of prescription medications.


2. APhA–ASP encourages the development of sustainable and financially-viable compensation models for pharmacist-prescribed durable medical equipment and medical devices. 


2017.4—Efforts to Reduce Mental Health Stigma


1. APhA–ASP encourages all stakeholders to develop and adopt evidence-based approaches in order to educate and reduce stigma surrounding mental health conditions to improve treatment for persons with mental illness. 


2. APhA–ASP supports the increased utilization of pharmacists and student pharmacists, with appropriate training, to actively participate in psychiatric interprofessional health care teams in all practice settings.


3. APhA–ASP supports the inclusion and expansion of mental health education and training in the curriculum of all schools and colleges of pharmacy and postgraduate opportunities.


The APhA–ASP House of Delegates debated and discussed the following motions, the result of which was to charge the 2017–18 Policy Standing Committee as well as the Academy with the re-assessment of the following motions. 


Motion 2017.5—Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency


The APhA–ASP Resolutions Committee recommends that the APhA–ASP Policy Standing Committee addresses the issue of “Pharmacy Benefit Managers.”


Motion 2017.6—Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs 


The APhA–ASP Resolutions Committee recommends that the APhA–ASP Policy Standing Committee addresses the issue of “Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs.” 


This year, two new chapters were officially installed into the APhA–ASP House of Delegates: Larkin University College of Pharmacy and High 
Point University Fred Wilson 
School of Pharmacy. 


In addition, the chapter winners of the APhA–ASP Back the PAC were announced during the House of Delegates session.


National Winner: University of Florida College of Pharmacy


Chapters with greater than $1,000 in contributions: Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy; University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy; Ferris State University College of Pharmacy


Chapters with greater than $500 in contributions: The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy; The University of Iowa College of Pharmacy; University of California, San Francisco School of Pharmacy


APhA–ASP NEC election


During the Sunday session of the APhA–ASP House of Delegates, the future of the Academy was paved by selecting the national leadership from a pool of 
highly passionate candidates.


Michael Murphy from The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy was officially installed as the 2017–18 APhA–ASP National President. Nimit Jindal from Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, was elected APhA–ASP National President-elect. Allyson Cagle from Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy and Meryam Gharbi from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy were elected as the APhA–ASP National Members-at-large. Jason Gaines from Mercer University College of Pharmacy was elected APhA–ASP Speaker of the House. Congratulations to the newly elected national officers and good luck in 2017–18!


APhA–ASP Closing Celebration


After 3 days of networking and learning about the profession and the Academy, student pharmacists gathered on Sunday evening for a celebration of the chapters’ accomplishments from the past year. The APhA–ASP Awards Celebration recognized the achievements and lauded student pharmacists for their contribution and commitment to the profession. Honorees are listed below. 


Linwood F. Tice Friend of APhA–ASP Award: Michel Disco, BSPharm, MBA


APhA–ASP Outstanding Dean Award: Gireesh Gupchup, PhD, FAPhA, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville School of Pharmacy


APhA–ASP Outstanding Chapter Advisor: Glenda Carr, PharmD, Idaho State University College of Pharmacy


APhA–ASP Student Leadership (Endowed by Procter & Gamble Health Care Award) recipients: Lauren Alai, The University of Utah College of Pharmacy; Daniel Galipeau, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Kevin Mai, Western University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy; Mayrim Millan, Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Pharmacy


APhA–ASP PharmFlix “Most Humorous”: Purdue University College of Pharmacy—PharmersOnly.com; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy—Batman the Pharmacist Part 2 (winner); Sullivan University College of Pharmacy—A Pill Story; The University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy—TogetherVax QD; University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy—ASP-N


APhA–ASP PharmFlix “Most Inspirational”: Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy—Together We Can; The University of Utah College of Pharmacy—Lincoln MKZ (winner); UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—Motionless; University of Houston College of Pharmacy—
Together We Manne-CAN; University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy—Patient Care Under One Roof


APhA–ASP PharmFlix “Best Picture”: Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy—PokePharm; Purdue University College of Pharmacy—PharmersOnly.com; Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy—Together We Can (winner); Sullivan University College of Pharmacy—A Pill Story; The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy at the University of Hawaii at Hilo—
Together with A.L.O.H.A, We Can; UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—Motionless; University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy—ASP-N; University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy—Patient Care Under One Roof


APhA–ASP Presidential Award: Kelsea Gallegos, The University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy 


National Patient Counseling Competition Winner: Bethany Abrahams, Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions


APhA–ASP Chapter Innovtive Programming Award: Sullivan University College of Pharmacy


APhA–ASP Chapter Patient Care Award: University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy


APhA–ASP Policy and Legislative Award: Mercer University College of Pharmacy 


APhA–ASP Operational Leadership Award: University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy


APhA–ASP Chapter Professionalism Award: University of Southern California School of Pharmacy


Outstanding IPSF Activity Award: University of Arizona College of Pharmacy


APhA–ASP Most Improved Chapter Award: Western University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy


APhA Good Government Student Pharmacist of the Year Award: Marilyn Gaske, University of Illinois at 
Chicago 


Chapter Achievement Award, Division AAA:


Winner: The University of Louisiana at Monroe School of Pharmacy 


First Runner-Up: East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy


Second Runner-Up: University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy


Chapter Achievement Award, Division AA:


Winner: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy


First Runner-Up: University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Pharmacy 


Second Runner-Up: Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy


Chapter Achievement Award, Division A:


Winner: University of Maryland School of Pharmacy 


First Runner-Up: The University of Tennessee Health Science Center 
College of Pharmacy


Second Runner-Up: UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill


APhA–ASP Chapter of the Year: University of Florida College of 
Pharmacy 


As the meeting came to an end, 
sunlight sprinkled onto the pavement, forming spots and shadows to remind us that although the path to advocating for the profession has its ups and downs, the end of the tunnel is forever bright, just like the California sun. 


See you at APhA2018, March 16–19, 2018, in Nashville, TN!

Operation Heart-Empowering patients to take control of their cardiovascular health
Operation Heart was launched in 2010 to encourage student pharmacists to initiate projects to address and prevent cardiovascular disease. This year, student pharmacists screened more than 121,000 patients, referred more than 7,000 patients to their primary care physician, provided more than 145,000 patients with health and wellness services, and educated nearly 4.5 million patients through public relations initiatives. Behind each of those numbers was the extraordinary work accomplished by chapters, striving to help individuals and families prevent and manage heart disease. The regional and national winners for Operation Heart are listed below. Thank you to Walgreens for their generous support of this program.


National Winner: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy


National First Runner-Up: The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy


National Second Runner-Up: University at Buffalo The State University of New York School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences 


Region 1: MCPHS University–Boston, 
Region 2: University of Maryland School
of Pharmacy, 
Region 3: University of Florida College of Pharmacy, 
Region 4: The Ohio State University College
of Pharmacy, 
Region 5: North Dakota State University College
of Pharmacy, 
Region 6: University of Houston College
of Pharmacy, 
Region 7: University of the Pacific Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 
Region 8: University of Southern California School of Pharmacy

National Winner: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy


National First Runner-Up: University of Maryland School of Pharmacy


National Second Runner-Up: The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy


Region 1: MCPHS University–Boston, 
Region 2: University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, 
Region 3: Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy, 
Region 4: University of Kentucky College
of Pharmacy, 
Region 5: University of Minnesota College
of Pharmacy, 
Region 6: The University of Louisiana at Monroe School of Pharmacy, 
Region 7: Washington State University College
of Pharmacy, 
Region 8: The University of New Mexico College
of Pharmacy

National Winner: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy


National First Runner-Up: University of Maryland School of Pharmacy


National Second Runner-Up: University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Pharmacy


Region 1: The University of Rhode Island College
of Pharmacy, 
Region 2: Marshall University School of Pharmacy, Region 3: The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy, 
Region 4: University of Kentucky College
of Pharmacy, 
Region 5: Drake University College of Pharmacy
and Health Sciences, 
Region 6: University of Louisiana at Monroe School of Pharmacy, 
Region 7: Idaho State University College
of Pharmacy, 
Region 8: Western University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy



Operation Diabetes-Improving health and wellness for patients with diabetes
Patients with diabetes are unique in that the condition affects almost all aspects of their lives. According to the latest statistics, 1.4 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year and by 2050, as many as 1 in 3 American adults will have diabetes if the current trend continues. Student pharmacists, by participating in Operation Diabetes programs, play an essential role in improving patient wellness and health outcomes. This year, chapters across the country instilled creativity to elevate and advance education programing and promotion of diabetes awareness. Through hands-on and expansive programs, student pharmacists collectively made a tangible impact on the profession. The regional and national winners for Operation Heart are listed below. Thank you to Rite Aid for their continued dedication to this program. 


National Winner: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy


National First Runner-Up: UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill


National Second Runner-Up: Idaho State University College of Pharmacy


Region 1: University at Buffalo The State University of New York School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 
Region 2: University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, 
Region 3: University of Florida College of Pharmacy
, Region 4: Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy, 
Region 5: University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy
, Region 6: Texas Southern University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 
Region 7: University of Utah College of Pharmacy, 
Region 8: University of Southern California School of Pharmacy