APhA-ASP Region 3

Policy and Advocacy Corner

Policy and Advocacy Corner - by Lauren Bode

HR 3204 only awaits a signature.

This week President Obama will sign in to law the Drug Quality and Security Act (HR 3204) which was prompted by the sale of tainted products from the New England Compounding Center last year. The fungal meningitis outbreak was indeed a tragedy, but for us it was also a failure. We often tout ourselves as the most trusted healthcare profession, and I would say that is largely true. However, that trust is not an inheritance; we must continually strive to deserve it. What this means for us as students is that we must stay focused on the larger goal.

At this point in the semester many of us are tired from the seemingly endless cycle of exams and requirements. The burst of energy we received from MRM is in the rearview mirror and the well-deserved break over the holidays feels far off. It is at this exhausted point that I want to remind us all that we are not in pharmacy school to pass exams. Certainly, please do make every effort to pass, but that is not the point of it all anymore. We are in pharmacy school to learn how to take care of people, to heal people. We learn pharmacology so that we can use that information to counsel our patients. We learn therapeutics so that we can help a physician optimize a patient’s medication therapy. And we learn sterile compounding practices so that the tragedy of NECC never happens again.

Consider your academic efforts a form of professional advocacy as well. We must earn the respect of our colleagues, legislators, and patients before we can deserve it. We must certainly deserve it before we can get paid for it. So study hard, learn well, and stay focused on these higher goals.

Regional Award Winners for Patient Care Projects!

In By Will Beaty / 9:30 AM

Congratulations to our regional award winners for their

patient care projects!

Operation Diabetes

UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy

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Operation Heart

University of Florida

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Operation Immunization

Lipscomb University

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Operation Self Care

Mercer University

MRM Chapter Member Recognition

In By APhA-ASP Region 3 / 5:01 PM

Chapter Member Were Recognized At MRM 2013.

APhA-ASP strives to recognize outstanding student pharmacists who go above and beyond what is asked of them! Each chapter was allowed to nominate one of their own members to receive kudos at MRM for their exceptional leadership, enthusiasm, and work.

Each person recognized also received a personalized certificate!

Jennie Allen - Union University

Marti Guidotti - University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Rachel Wilkinson - The University of Tennessee

Trey Smith - The University of Tennessee

Jose Leon-Burgos - The University of South Florida

Sierra Schmidt - Auburn University

Amanda Mott - The University of Florida

Stephanie White - Mercer University

Sheava Blackman - Nova Southeastern University

Natalie Bledsoe - Campbell University

Will Beaty - East Tennessee State University

Ardis Copenhaver - The Medical University of South Carolina

Mary Martin Johnson - Belmont University

Lauren Vantrease - Lipscomb University

Erica Walker - University of Florida

Bella Mogaka - Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Angelica Costanzo - Palm Beach Atlantic University

Yee Ni Sung - Nova Southeastern University

Jessica Carver - Samford University

Amy Shook - University of Florida

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Congratulations to all who were recognized!

Passed Resolutions at Region 3 MRM Birmingham, Alabama.

In By APhA-ASP Region 3 / 4:20 PM

Collaboration Webinar Feedback Solicitation!

This year APhA-ASP made additional enhancements to the One Chapter… One Resolution program. This year we added webinars and an opportunity to collaborate with other chapters on duplicate proposals prior to the MRM. The APhA-ASP National Executive Committee and APhA Student Development Staff would appreciate your comments on this potential process for future MRMs. Please e-mail your thoughts and concerns moving forward to staff and the APhA-ASP National Executive Committee at APhA-ASP@APhAnet.org e-mail address.

Unofficial Report of Region 3 MRM Closing Business Session

Passed Resolutions - Listed by Title

This report is not official. An official report of the Region 3 MRM Closing Business Session will be released once it has been approved by APhA-ASP headquarters. If there are any apparent errors within this report, please contact us at region3aphaasp@gmail.com.

2013.1: Addressing Alcohol and Drug Dependency in Pharmacists and Student Pharmacists

2013.4: Prescription Monitoring Program Standardization and Nationwide Access

2013.5: Empowering Pharmacists with the Legal Capacity to Provide Pharmacy Services through Mobile Healthcare Clinics for Vulnerable and Underserved Populations

2013.6: Resolution Process Transparency and Accessibility

2013.8: Pharmacists Role in the Transition of Care of Patients

2013.9: Proper Medication Disposal and Take Back Programs

2013.10: Specialty Pharmacy Awareness and NASP Growth

2013.11: National Pseudoephedrine Database

2013.13: Pharmacogenomic Testing Promotes Individualized Treatment Plans

2013.14: Creation of Additional Ambulatory Care Residencies

2013.15: Standardized Electronic Process to Capture Risk Evaluation Mitigation Strategies (REMS)

2013.16: Increasing Patient Adherence

2013.17: Staffing Requirements and Prescription Volume in Community Pharmacies

2013.18: Experiential and Didactic Curriculum to Develop Interprofessional Relations

2013.19: Patients Choice between Mail Order And Retail Pharmacy With No Penalty

MRM Recap

In By APhA-ASP Region 3 / 4:18 PM

APhA-ASP MRM2013 Region 3 Recap!

by: Amy Kiskaddon

The weekend began with over 600 student pharmacists convening in Birmingham, Alabama, for a weekend of southern hospitality, fun and inspiration! Region 3 MRM-Coordinator, Ashley Waddell and Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy, planned and coordinated a tailgate that will definitely go down in the history of Region 3 events!

Following an inspiring Opening General Session Friday evening, students changed into attire reflecting their school’s team spirit and enjoyed fun, food, games and dancing at the Friday night social “tailgate”. Old friends re-connected, and new relationships were made.

Saturday morning came quickly for all attendees, but was packed with inspiring speakers, motivating breakout sessions, and arousing policy discussions. In addition, hundreds of student pharmacists were able to speak with various employers at the MRM Expo, and learn about potential career options and job opportunities. Chapters were also able to enjoy some “bonding time” later in the evening as many planned large dinners together, enjoying football and good company!

I don’t think anyone was sure where the weekend had gone by Sunday morning. A hot breakfast awaited students in the midst of hotel checkouts and 3 new regional officers were elected. Policy resolutions passed and students pharmacists enjoyed the final moments of a most motivating and inspiring weekend together!

It is exciting to be part of such an awesome region! Over 25 student pharmacists were recognized as part of the Student Member Recognition Program, Patient Care Project Awards were announced, and there was quality discussion on many innovative resolutions. What is even more exciting is to think of all the lives being touched through our services, and advancements being made in the profession because of our advocacy efforts. Keep it going strong Region 3!!!