APhA Member News
A minute with...
Aubrey Kooima
Second-year student pharmacist at South Dakota State University
and pharmacy intern at Lewis Drug and Hegg Health Center, Rock Valley, IA
Member since 2020
APhA opens doors for student pharmacists to practice what we learn in school and implement it through patient screenings and public education. It was through these events and APhA conferences that I have been able to network with pharmacists and student pharmacists. Not only has my membership within APhA given me a variety of ways to gain real-life experience before graduation, but I have also gained lifelong friendships and mentors.”
How has APhA helped you establish meaningful connections?
I was able to attend multiple APhA conferences and meetings in my first year of pharmacy school and I met people from all over the country. After attending multiple conferences, I began to form friendships and looked forward to the next conference we would attend. I now have connections all over the nation with whom I can reach out when I need advice for our APhA–ASP chapter. My time as an APhA member has shown me how supportive the pharmacy community is toward one another and that I want to continue pouring into this community as a student pharmacist and in the future as a licensed pharmacist.
How has APhA helped prepare you for your career as a pharmacist?
APhA offers numerous leadership opportunities for pharmacists and student pharmacists. I’ve held multiple leadership positions throughout my time as a member where I learned the importance of helping others find their strengths and implement them in whatever work they might be doing. This will be valuable in my future as a pharmacist since I aspire to be a preceptor for student pharmacists.
What excites you about the profession of pharmacy?
With pharmacists being the most accessible health care provider, we continue to have a major impact on the health of patients. I am excited to see how the services we offer expand within the future to ensure all patients have access to quality health care.
Can you share a meaningful story about a time you interacted with a patient? Perhaps a time you felt like you really made a difference for them?
Our APhA–ASP chapter attends the South Dakota State Fair each year and provides free BP, blood glucose, and cholesterol screenings in addition to patient education. I talked with the patients as I screened them and met someone who expressed sincere gratitude for these free services. He told me that he rarely goes to the clinic due to the associated cost, so the free screenings we were offering impacted him more than we realized.
I gave this patient blood glucose, cholesterol, and BP readings, which eased his anxieties about his health. We performed over 200 screenings that day, and I’m sure many of the patients had similar feelings to the patient I met. The day at the fair fueled my passion for pharmacy as I realized the direct impact our profession has on patients. ■
Learn
Understanding influenza efficacy vs. effectiveness
Dive into APhA’s exclusive three-part course designed to empower pharmacists in navigating the intricacies of influenza vaccination. From understanding the nuances disease burden, each course is meticulously crafted to build your knowledge progressively. These interactive courses offer up to 2.0 hours of CPE credit and is supported by a grant from Sanofi.
Course highlights include:
Hidden Key to Reducing Influenza Disease Burden: Unravel the hidden keys that play a crucial role in mitigating the burden of influenza, offering practical insights for your daily practice.
Influenza Vaccine FDA Indications vs. ACIP Recommendations: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory landscape surrounding influenza vaccines, ensuring informed decision-making.
Understanding Influenza Vaccine Efficacy vs Effectiveness: Explore the disparities and nuances in vaccine efficacy, with interactive knowledge checks to reinforce your learning.
Find this course and more at APhA’s Learning Library (learn.pharmacist.com). ■
Lead the way
JFPS 2024 is the premier event for federal pharmacists and technicians from all service branches and federal agencies.
We are thrilled to invite you to join us in San Diego, November 10–12, 2024, for an inspiring and educational gathering focused on the theme “Federal Pharmacy Professionals Lead the Way with Selfless Service to our Nation.”
In the realm of health care, federal pharmacy stands as a beacon of selfless service and leads the way in ensuring the well-being of our nation. This year’s meeting celebrates the remarkable journey of federal pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, their unwavering commitment to service, and the profound impact they have on the health and resilience of our nation.
Visit jfpsmeeting.pharmacist.com for updates on the meeting program, keynote speakers, registration details, and more. Together, let’s foster a unified force within the federal pharmacy community and lead the way toward positive change. ■
Get involved in APhA
Public Health SIG
The primary purpose of the APhA–APPM Public Health Special Interest Group (SIG) is to serve as the leading convening body across APhA and the profession to promote and advance the role of the pharmacist in public health.
The group aims to accomplish these goals through its work: highlight the role of the pharmacist in public health; expand practice models that demonstrate the impact of the pharmacist in public health; strengthen workforce development opportunities for pharmacists interested in public health, including education and post-graduate training; and convene stakeholders to advance the role of the pharmacist in population health.
Interested in getting involved in the Public Health SIG? Learn more at apha.us/PHSIG. ■
Member honors
The 2024 ADCES National Leadership Election results are in! Katherine S. O’Neal, PharmD, MBA, was elected as President-Elect for the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES). O’Neal brings a unique set of skills, knowledge, and experience to complement the existing board of ADCES and help move the association forward.
“I am very excited to represent our profession in this leadership role,” she said. O’Neal also serves as professor, Sam K. Viersen Family Foundation Presidential Professor, director of the PGY2 Ambulatory Care Residency Program, director of the ambulatory care track degree option, and more at the University of Oklahoma.
ADCES is the only organization solely dedicated to diabetes care and education specialists. This interdisciplinary professional membership organization aims to enhance understanding, prevention, and management of diabetes, and ultimately advance the quality of diabetes care and education to improve the lives of those at risk for and affected by diabetes. ■
Did you know?
October 15 is Pharmacy Technician Day!
Each year, the pharmacy community celebrates our pharmacy technicians! Some ways to show appreciation for the important work technicians do every day include
Urging your pharmacy to purchase memberships in national and state pharmacy associations for technicians this month
Decorating your pharmacy with graphics, badges, and more (found on PTCB’s website at apha.us/PharmTechDay)
Serving a special lunch event for pharmacy technicians and team members or bringing in sweet treats!
Making public announcements about Pharmacy Technician Day and the achievements of the technicians on your team! ■
Pharmacy Profiles
To enroll with health plans as health care professionals, pharmacists will need to provide verified credentials. Pharmacy Profiles is the first pharmacy-centric source for comprehensive, verified data about pharmacy professionals.
Pharmacy Profiles has applied to the quality measurement organization National Committee for Quality Assurance to become certified as a Credentials Verification Organization (CVO). As a certified pharmacy CVO, Pharmacy Profiles will become the gold standard for pharmacy personnel credentials.
Visit pharmacyprofiles.com and claim your profile today! ■