Reaching Out!
Winter 2014
University of the Pacific Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and
Health Sciences
The University of the Pacific Pharmacy Students started off the
new year with a roar as we reached out to the community through the Health Fair
and explored the changing dynamics of pharmacy with a variety of new workshops
and speaker events. Capitalizing on the momentum of recent legislative
affairs, students are learning more about the growing fields of pharmacy as an
essential provider of healthcare.
Reaching Out to the Community
Collaborating with twelve other student organizations, SALUD
hosted a successful health outreach event to address several health care
disparities in the Hispanic community. Screening and providing over one hundred
flu vaccinations, this outreach addressed other prominent health problems such
as stroke and smoking. Stockton residents turned to student pharmacists to
obtain more information on medication waste management, Hepatitis B, and medication
therapy that was tailored to their budget. Students especially enjoyed the hands-on
experience as they measured the direct impact of their contribution to the
community.
Staying Connected on Campus
While students were reaching out to the community, we also made
sure that they had plenty of chances to remain connected with previous and
future students at this school. Distinguished alumni, such as Dean Oppenheimer,
mingled with students during our annual Etiquette Dinner to teach students the
ins and outs of professionalism and networking. In return, first and second
years passed their knowledge onto the undergraduates during the mock interview
sessions hosted for pre-pharmacy students applying for the graduate program the
following year. Based on alumni and student feedback, these annual events are
successful in unifying our campuses to connect students with mentors and alumni.
Complementary Approaches to Medicine
As a recent addition, the AIMRx committee started incorporating
holistic health into the world of pharmacy by inviting Dr. Storch, a certified
Reiki-Master, to demonstrate her methods of breath techniques, meditation, and
awareness of the body. Offering this free workshop on complementary therapy,
students combined these techniques with the clinical knowledge that they learn
during school. Tiffany Riley, a first year student, remarked that “[this] was a
great opportunity for students to learn about this Eastern form of healing. As
future health care practitioners, it is important that we are well rounded in
our studies and training to better serve our patients.” With the increasing use
of complementary and alternative medicine, these workshops broaden the
student’s scope of knowledge beyond the traditional practices of medicine.
Legislative Affairs: What’s Next?
With the recent advancement of Senate Bill 493, students requested
clarification regarding these new opportunities as an integral member of the
health care team. Pacific PharmAssistance brought guest speaker Dr. Del Prato from
CSHP to give an overview of Covered California to over 85 students regarding
its impact on pharmacists and patients in California. The primary focus was to share
information on the impact and
implications of the Affordable Care Act, with an emphasis on the target
population and how to help them meet their medication needs as an essential
health care provider.
Afterwards, we were fortunate enough to have Dr. Heidi Ecker fly
in from the east coast to bring the RxIMPACT Program, where she hosted a 50
minute educational session about the power of grassroots engagement and using effective
communication to inform our legislators and influence policy outcomes. By
learning more about legislature and its impact on the profession of pharmacy,
students left the session feeling more motivated to become an active participant
in the political process.
We will continue to channel that momentum during Legislative Day
and many other Health Fairs as we continue to reach out to the surrounding
community. At our last town hall meeting, we received positive feedback from the
students, who are excited to explore more opportunities in pharmacy, and we can’t
wait to attend the Student Programming at the West Coast Pharmacy Exchange!
About The APhA-ASP
APhA-ASP Region 8
The American Pharmacist Association is the oldest and largest professional organization for pharmacists in the country. The Academy of Student Pharmacists is held within APhA and is comprised by student pharmacists throughout the nation who are still taking classes at their respective colleges of pharmacy. APhA-ASP puts a strong emphasis on patient care initiatives, advocacy for the profession, and overall training to become a professional in the field of pharmacy.
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