Xochitl Benitez is a final-year PharmD candidate at the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy and a member of the 2022–2023 APhA–ASP Member Engagement Standing Committee.
As much as I enjoyed virtual Midyear Regional Meetings (MRM) the past few years, there is nothing like networking in-person with like-minded student pharmacists from across your home region. So, the best part of MRM2022 for me was witnessing the regrowth of culture and spark in student members during the Region 8 weekend (October 21–23) in Albuquerque, NM.
Benefits of a live HoD
Black boxes on Zoom didn’t allow for attendees’ expressions to be seen. I saw this happen most during the Policy Proposal Forum. There were multiple students who attended the APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition this past March 2022 who commented that they were confused as to what was happening during the APhA–ASP House of Delegates (HoD) session and why student pharmacists would run up to a microphone. This session not only gave them an understanding of the policy process, but also provided them confidence to advocate for the profession of pharmacy in-person. Overall, this session got student pharmacists excited to become more involved in policy.
Placing faces with the stories
Student pharmacists have a common goal: to improve patient care. Getting to know students from different chapters allowed me to learn what campus life is like at their school and how they are each impacting their communities in a unique way. It was a new experience for student leaders to share their innovative programming posters to the entire region and see the impact they are making. This was the first time I got to place a face with the story behind a regional award winner!
I was excited to cheer on my new friends for their well-deserved awards. Their stories inspired me and other students to reach new communities. A special shout-out to the West Coast University School of Pharmacy—I would have never thought of going on a radio talk show to educate patients on various topics!
My opportunity to share
My favorite part of MRM was having the honor to present the OTC Med Safety: Bringing the Project to Your Community session. I have a passion for patient care projects and helping students and chapters expand their patient reach, and I was able to show attendees the amazing resources APhA–ASP has readily available for members to use in their community. Many students were excited to take these activities back home.
The return of live MRMs meant I could also share the beauty, culture, and progressive pharmacy care New Mexico has with new and old friends. I love my home state, and I love APhA–ASP. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my first (and final) live MRM!