UWSOP student as an APhA-ASP Regional Delegate

Second year pharmacy student Karen Craddick was recently selected to be our region's ASHP-ASP Delegate. The following is an excerpt from a write up from Karen in regards to her new position, the extended version will appear in our Winter tablet.

"I am serving in a one year position as a Regional Delegate for the American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP). The University of Washington School of Pharmacy (UWSOP) is in Region 7 with other APhA-ASP Chapters from schools of pharmacy from Oregon, Utah, Idaho and Montana. In total, APhA-ASP is comprised of 8 regions. Each region has 1 Regional Delegate. As Regional Delegate, I am responsible for promoting policy and advocacy activities in Region 7.

As Regional Delegate I serve as a member of the APhA-ASP Resolutions Committee where we rank and decide which proposed resolutions that have been submitted by APhA-ASP chapters will be voted on during the APhA Annual Meeting in March... The goal is that our passed resolutions will be implemented by APhA. The proposed resolutions range in topic from patient safety, reimbursement, the role of the pharmacist in patient care and advancing the practice of pharmacy.

I am serving as Regional Delegate because I am passionate about advancing the profession of pharmacy and I’m interested in health care policy and public health. APhA-ASP has been instrumental in advancing pharmacy practice and I would like to help continue this legacy... As student pharmacists we are in a powerful position to shape the future of our profession and improve the health of our communities. We can effect change through perfecting and expanding our clinical skills, but we must not forget that LEADERSHIP is essential to effecting change... My goal as Regional Delegate is to encourage student pharmacists to become involved in policy and advocacy issues now and in the future."

November 30 - December 2, 2009: World Aids Day

World AIDS Day efforts consisted of fundraising for a local organization that works with women with HIV/AIDS and culminated in an educational speaking event by an AIDS patient. More than $400 was raised by student pharmacists for donation from over 85 t-shirt and countless AIDS ribbon sales.

UWSOP student as an ASHP-SSHP Advisory Group Member

The following is a write up by 1st year UW School of Pharmacy Student Steve Larson, who was selected to be a member of the ASHP-ASP Advisory Group.

Perhaps it is odd but I came to pharmacy school with a plan to become a specialized pharmacy practitioner. During the years leading up to pharmacy school I considered going into drug research, infectious disease pharmacy, and oncology pharmacy practice. Through the process of time and by gaining different experiences, oncology pharmacy became my area of interest and focus. This interest led me to talk to Brian and Stephanie at Pack Forest and express my intention in joining ASHP, the group to which I would belong as an oncology pharmacist. It was during this chat that I learned of the position on the ASHP Advisory Group for a first year pharmacy student. After doing some research I decided to apply for the position because I thought it would be a great way for me to be able to reach out to and assist other pharmacy students. As a member of the ASHP Advisory Group I thought I could help others gather the information they needed to make career impacting decisions. It just so turns out that this is what I will be doing for the next year. As a member of the Meetings and Programming Advisory Group, I have accepted the responsibility to ensure the information shared at the MCM is contemporary, interesting, relevant, and easily accessible. My main goal this year is to help first year pharmacy students, many of whom are new to the world of health care, feel comfortable at the MCMs so they can focus on learning something directly applicable to them. If you are going to the MCM this year, please find me and let me know some of your thoughts and ideas on how to improve it; ie. what you liked and didn’t like, topics you wish were addressed, etc.

November 23, 2009: NCPA Leadership and Advocacy

NCPA SEC member Andrew Helm spoke to chapter members and nonmembers about the benefits of being part of a national pharmacy organization.

Octobe 19, 2009: IPSF trivia night

To work toward the goal of promoting pharmacy education, UW's IPSF chapter hosted an International Textbook Trivia Night to take on the task of fundraising to provide professional textbooks in developing countries under the Pharmabridge program.

Over 70 people participated in the trivia night hosted at Pied Piper's Ale House in Ravenna, and over $1,100 was raised for Pharmabridge. Prizes were generously donated by local businesses and student organizations in the School of Pharmacy.

The texts will be purchased, and are hoped to be delivered in person to the Jimma School of Pharmacy in Ethiopia by UW Representatives Don Downing, Andy Stergachis, and Peggy Odegard.

October 16-18, 2009: APhA Midyear regional meeting in Portland

This years midyear regional meeting was held in Portland, OR and it was a blast. The University of Washington was well represented. The theme for the social the first night was the Oregon Trail and first year representatives of the University of Washington one a prize for the best costume as they teamed together to make a wagon - oxen & all! Way to go class of 2013! Many of our policies were passed and our very Karen Craddick is the new APhA regional delegate.

October 16-18, 2009: NCPA Annual Convention

The NCPA 111th Annual Convention at New Orleans was a blast! Our team competed live and won this year's Pruitte Schutte Student Business Plan Competition. That's right! Our first time ever national championship. Thanks for all your support UWSOPers! Besides going out to Bourbon St, swamp tours, haunted tours and eating delicious Southern food, we enjoyed a lovely dinner with our sweet faculty, independent pharmacy owners, and supportive parents. It was amazing. Way to start a school year!

October 10, 2009; ADA Step Out

UPPOW's director of Operation Diabetes organized a team for the ADA Step Out & Walk. A big thanks to all the students who came out to show their support (and to Kappa Psi for their involvement) - they helped raise $1100.00! Way to go!

October 9, 2009: Fall BBQ

UPPOW's annual fall BBQ was held at Meridian Park this year. This event is a great chance for pharmacy students from all classes to mingle and enjoy some of the last days of sunshine. This year many students were representing their Pharmacy Spirit by wearing "Know your medicine, know your Pharmacist" T-shirts in support of American Pharmacist Month.

Sept 28, 2009: Professionalism Ceremony

On this sunny Monday afternoon in September, the newest addition to the UW School of Pharmacy gathered together to be welcomed into the profession. After hearing several speeches the class received their white coats and shared their class pledge with the audience.

Congratulations Class of 2013!

Sept 25-26, 2009: Pack Forest

Representatives from UPPOW, Kappa Psi, LKS, Rho Chi, ASCP, and AMCP made the trek out to the woods of Eatonville to welcome the upcoming pharmacy students. The weekend was filled with games, presentations, hiking, food & much more.

Sept-Oct 2009: BP Screenings at Seahawks games

UPPOW, the Seahawks, and Novartis have teamed up again this year to "Tackle Hypertension" by providing blood pressure screenings to fans at Qwest Field on select Seahawks game days.

May 28-31, 2009: Northwest convention in Idaho

With the 2008-2009 school year winding down, 15 student volunteers and more than 20 other UW pharmacy students made the trek across the state to meet with pharmacists and student pharmacists from all over the northwest at another great WSPA Northwest convention in Coeur d’Alene, ID. The WSPA annual Northwest Convention provides students the unique opportunity to hear from local colleagues and leaders about crucial issues facing pharmacy today.

With more than 30 separate seminars, there were CE sessions to suit any pharmacy interest. There were clinical lectures on subjects like fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis and chemotherapeutic agents; business management sessions with talks about Medicare Part B & D, and pharmacy security; and finally important Washington State legislative updates.

But it wasn’t all lectures and CE in Coeur d’Alene. Students also took part in Coeur d’Alene pub crawls, dined on gourmet cooking at the evening gala, and danced the night away in the “Shore Lounge.” In the end, the 2009 Northwest Convention was educational, inspiring and most of all, really fun!

May 21-24, 2009: Border to Border

While not an official UPPOW event, UPPOW supports the student pharmacists who participate in Border to Border, a 325-mile relay across Washington state. The event was established by former pharmacy student Patrick Gallagher in honor of his father, and funds raised go to support the American Cancer Society.

May 9 2009: Independent Pharmacy Tours

The Spring Independent Pharmacy Tour on May 9th, 2009 gave us a refreshing view of the variety of ways that independent pharmacies can serve their community. We visited Katterman’s Pharmacy in Sandpoint, Bob Johnson’s Pharmacy in Greenwood and one of the newest Kelly Ross Pharmacies, the Long Term Care Pharmacy on Eastlake. Our small group of student tourists spent the day enjoying the sun while learning from these successful and friendly community pharmacists. It was a genuinely enjoyable trip!

May 9-10, 2009: Relay for Life

UWSOP student pharmacists and UW Pre-Pharmacy Club members joined forces to walk in this year's Relay for Life, an overnight event that raises funds for the American Cancer Society.

April 24, 2009: UPPOW Annual Auction

Attendance and spirits were high at UPPOW's annual fundraiser, which had a Superhero theme. Thousands of dollars were raised to fund student participation in regional and national pharmacy conventions.

April 3-7, 2009: APhA Annual Meeting in Texas

UWSOP student pharmacists gathered en masse in San Antonio for the annual APhA national conference. A group is shown here supporting 3rd year student Luis Ramos, who ran for National Member-At-Large of the organization.

April 5, 2009: UWSOP volunteers at Walk MS

Over 20 student pharmacists gathered in the early morning hours on April 5th to volunteer at this year's Walk MS. 10,000 participants and volunteers attended the event, which raised an estimated $2,000,000.00 to support multiple sclerosis research and treatments.

February 20, 2009: Legislative Day in Olympia

57 student pharmacists from UWSOP and others from WSU gathered in Olympia to speak with legislators regarding pharmacy issues. Students also participated in a health fair.

January 23, 2009: Winter Mingle

Over 150 students and their guests attended the 2009 Winter Mingle, which was held on an Argosy Cruise Ship. Casino Royale was the theme. Food, drink, and dance were enjoyed by all.

December 7-11 2008: ASHP Midyear

It’s the only place where you will find Student Pharmacists, Residencies, and Mickey Mouse in the same area code!! The conference took place in Orlando, FL from December 7 to December 11, 2008.  Students, residencies, and pharmacists from across the country convened at the Orange County Convention Center for 4 days of education, networking, and information exchange. 

Plan ahead for next year- Midyear 2009 will take place in Sin City (Las Vegas)!

November 2008: WSPA Annual Meeting

In November students and pharmacists attended the WSPA annual meeting at the Tulalip Convention Center.  The program was filled with many valuable CE events. The new board of directors was initiated, and WSPA said goodbye to Rod Schaefer who has spent the last 15 years as the CEO of the organization.  Jeff Rochon will be taking over as the interim CEO while a search is conducted for the position. 

October 11-15 2008: NCPA Convention

The NCPA’s 110th Annual Convention and Trade Exposition took place from October 11th to the 15th this year at Tampa, Florida. The convention began with an awesome Chapter Officer’s Breakfast where we had the opportunity to talk to NCPA chapter officers from all over the nation. The highlight was seeing our past NCPA chapter president Emily Schulze present on the Political Advocacy Challenge! She did a wonderful job! The rest of the convention was just as exciting with a broad array of programs such as educational workshops on pharmacy ownership, social events, student business plan competition, and the trade exposition. Additionally, the speakers were engaging and the food was delicious making this a very memorable convention.
 
Next October, you can attend NCPA’s 111th Annual Convention and Trade Exposition taking place in the exciting city of New Orleans!

2008 ASHP Clinical Skills Competition

Fourteen teams composed of students from all four classes competed in this evet, which was a huge success. We would like to congratulate this year's winning team Nick Au and Adam Clemens, from the class of 2009. Nick and Adam continued on to represent the UWSOP and compete in the National Clinical Skills Competition at the 2008 ASHP Midyear conference in Orlando on December 6th, 2008. Great job guys and thanks again to everyone that came out to compete - we hope to see you again next year!

Salvation Army ARC Health Fair

UWSOP students, in conjunction with Micki Kedzierski's Pharm 591 class on community collaborations in health care, helped put on the second annual Salvation Army ARC health fair this fall. The ARC is a residential rehabilitation program for approximately 100 men and women recovering from alcohol and/or drug addiction and mental illness. Overall the health fair was a huge success for both the students and the beneficiaries.

Opperation Immunization 2008 Update

This fall we were able to vaccinate almost 100 people in the Seattle area with a donation of flu vaccination from Safeway. Our goal this year is to reach out to under served populations who might otherwise not be able to get the protection
they need; so far it has been a great success.
We have had the opportunity to immunize people at both the Salvation Army ARC and the Aloha Inn.
In addition, we had over 70 students take the Pharm 531 Community Pharmacy-based Immunization and Health Screening Programs elective before the fall quarter, enabling them to practice in community pharmacies throughout the area and receive their immunization certification.

Pack Forest 2008

Representatives from UPPOW, Kappa Psi, Lambda Kappa Sigma, Rho Chi, Phi Lambda Sigma, Border to Border and ASCP attend this two-day event to help welcome students in the upcoming class to the University of Washington School of Pharmacy.

Class of 2012 Welcome to the Profession Ceremony

This year’s Welcome to the Profession Ceremony took place a few days prior to school following a professionalism workshop held during orientation week. This event provides a chance for the incoming class to present their Pledge of Professionalism highlighting the duties and qualities they expect of themselves throughout their career in the pharmacy profession. At the “Welcome to the Profession Ceremony” each incoming PharmD student is recognized and receives their White Coat from the Dean. This year the outgoing Dean and three guest speakers were invited to share their words of encouragement to the incoming class, including: Sid Nelson (Outgoing Dean of UWSOP), Jeff Rochon (WSPA Director of Professional Development), Don Downing (Clinical Professor at UWSOP), Elyse Tung (Class of 2008 Graduate and Swedish Medical Center PGY1 Resident). Each spoke on behalf of the importance of getting involved in professional activities to enhance life-long learning and career development. All the current students, faculty and alumni are happy to welcome the Class of 2012 and support them in their time at the University of Washington and future in the profession of pharmacy.