APhA students make trip to DC to advocate for pharmacy
WASHINGTON - The American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists, with the support of Amgen, Cardinal Health and Rite Aid, held leadership and professional development programming this weekend in Washington for 240 student pharmacists. The schedule kicked off with 223 student pharmacists visiting 125 Congressional offices on Capitol Hill to advocate for pharmacists' recognition as 'providers' in health care.
"As a constituent and a student pharmacist, meeting in-person with Congressional representatives and/or their staff is the most effective way to promote pharmacy-specific legislative issues and develop relationships with lawmakers," stated Keith Marciniak, APhA senior director of student and new practitioner development.
"Members of Congress and their staff know that an issue is important when their constituents and voters take the time to travel all the way to Washington, DC, to meet with them in person and share their personal stories," Marciniak added. "These same offices also tend to put more stock into messages and opinions from those with whom they have relationships. Capitol Hill visits are that initial step toward developing those relationships."
Held July 15-17, the APhA-ASP Summer Leadership Institute is designed to help APhA-ASP chapter officers develop their leadership skills as they prepare to guide their chapter to continued success. The SLI provided attendees with interactive leadership sessions and discussions focused on team building and effectively connecting with their communities.
In addition, the APhA New Practitioner Network, with the support of Walmart Pharmacy, held the second annual A Day of NP L.I.F.E. on July 15 and July 16. The programming, designed exclusively for pharmacists within their first five years of graduation, included personal and professional workshops, as well as networking during dinner at APhA's historic headquarters and at a Washington Nationals baseball game. As many as 60 new practitioners were in attendance.