APhA Member News
A minute with …
Laressa Bethishou, PharmD, APh, BCPS
Assistant professor of pharmacy practice, Chapman
University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA; and transitions of care pharmacist, Hoag Memorial Hospital
Presbyterian, Newport Beach, CA
Member since 2016
APhA has provided me with an awesome network of peers across the country. My involvement with the Special Interest Groups (SIGs) has been one of my favorite things about APhA. I’ve had the chance to collaborate on research, guidance documents, and publications with pharmacists at other institutions, and I’ve made great friends in the process. It was so awesome to go to the APhA Annual Meeting this year and meet everyone in person.
How has APhA helped you establish meaningful connections?
APhA provides many ways to get involved. I’ve been actively involved with the SIGs, which has been a great way to work closely with pharmacists who share my interests. I’ve also taken advantage of posting on the Engage platform and participating in activities at the APhA Annual Meeting.
How does APhA help you thrive in your everyday practice?
The Transitions of Care SIG has been an amazing platform to collaborate with and learn from other pharmacists all over the country. It has provided opportunities for research and publication, an avenue to discuss different practice models, challenges and opportunities, and the chance to identify potential mentors.
What excites you about the profession of pharmacy?
The possibility. Pharmacists are expanding their roles in every practice setting, including some nontraditional ones. We have such a great opportunity to advocate for our profession and the impact we can have on patient care, both on a small and large scale. It is exciting to be a part of that and to see how the profession grows.
Can you share a meaningful story about a time you interacted with a patient? Perhaps a time you felt you really made a difference for them?
As a transitions of care pharmacist, I encounter patients as they are discharging from the hospital and am often presented with opportunities to impact their care. I recently had a patient admitted for an asthma exacerbation who was discharging on long-term control medications.
As I educated them on their new medication regimen, I was also able to address concerns about adverse effects and medication cost and clarify confusion about different classes of inhalers. It felt really meaningful to help provide the patient with the knowledge and tools they needed to optimize their medication use.
Stories from the front lines
At our health fair in Missoula, I volunteered at our Operation Generation Rx booth and educated members of the community about proper disposal and ways to reduce unused opioids in the community. I was fortunate enough to speak with a middle-aged former military gentleman who discussed with me his personal plights with substance abuse after service, as well as the prevalence of abuse he has seen within the veteran population. We formed a point of contact and discussed possible educational opportunities for our local veteran population.
Unfortunately, I believe that I was unable to make a difference in his personal struggle that day—except to make him feel heard and valued. However, the interaction profoundly affected me and led to a potential space for our operation to make a difference. I believe that pharmacists are the key to addressing this issue in health care, and that by being accessible and working at the top of our license, we can be part of the innovative process of alleviating this problem that impacts so many. This experience further illuminated my passion and my belief that we, as current and future pharmacists, are the key to improving health outcomes, national mental health, and quality of life for all of our patients.”
Megan Newell, 2022 PharmD candidate, University of Montana Skaggs School of Pharmacy, Missoula
Members in motion
Former Speaker Adele Pietrantoni honored
Adele Pietrantoni, RPh, APhA Speaker of the House of Delegates in 2005, was recently honored at the Massachusetts Pharmacists Association (MPhA) Annual Awards & Installation Banquet as the 2019 Bowl of Hygeia recipient. She has dedicated more than 30 years to the pharmacy profession by serving on the MPhA Board from 1998 to 2002 and is a founding member of the MPhA Foundation. Join us in congratulating Former Speaker Pietrantoni on her accomplishments.
Listen to the Locked on Pharmacy podcast
Medication management expert Betty Chaffee, PharmD, sits down with former APhA President Nancy Alvarez in a recent episode of the Locked on Pharmacy podcast. Chaffee is the owner and sole proprietor of BetterMyMeds, a consultant practice providing medication therapy management services to patients in local communities. Listen to the podcast to learn how she is supporting communities and helping patients to better manage their medication regimen. This is a great opportunity to learn how to break out of the mold and use your knowledge and passion to transform the practice of pharmacy in unique and innovative ways!
Check it out on iTunes or Soundcloud via www.pharmacist.com/locked-pharmacy-podcast.
Did you know?
You can save thousands on your student debt by refinancing education loans through Credible.
Credible is the “Kayak of student loans,” enabling APhA members to compare student loan refinancing options from multiple lenders. The Credible process is quick and simple: Fill out one form to receive personalized offers from multiple lenders, and compare them side by side on your dashboard. The average pharmacist saves more than $30,000 by refinancing. You’ll also receive a cash bonus from Credible, plus a 1-year extension on your APhA membership.
For more information, visit www.credible.com/partners/apha.