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Student Reception at Wayne State

Wayne State University student pharmacists are invited to a reception with the MPA Executive Board on Nov. 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the WSU Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences conference room #4545.

Let us know if you'll be there, or confirm your attendance on Facebook. Join the Student MPA group, and RSVP to the reception event.

Great Lakes Young Pharmacist Leadership Conference

Several student pharmacists and new practitioners attended the 2008 Great Lakes Young Pharmacists Leadership Conference at the Maumee Bay State Park in Oregon, Ohio, on Oct. 3-5, 2008. Besides discussing the latest pharmacy issues, the attendees also enjoyed what has become a traditional game of walleyball. View the slideshow below by pressing play.

U-M White Coat Ceremony Oct. 15, 2008

MPA representatives attended the U-M White Coat Ceremony Oct. 15, 2008. Press play below to view the slideshow. Have more photos? E-mail them to us!

Dean's Professionalism Award Recipients

The Dean's Professionalism Award was established by MPA in 1987 to honor a student who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the achievement of high standards for the advancement of the ethics and professionalism of pharmacy. The deans of each of the Michigan colleges of pharmacy select a recipient. This year's winners are Brenda Schulz (FSU), Dominic Tran (U-M) and Natalie Pirkola (WSU).

Look for Changes at 2009 Convention

The 2009 Annual Convention & Exposition (ACE) will be held Feb. 28-March 1. Those of you who have attended the event before will notice the venue has been changed in response to attendee feedback. The 2009 event will be held at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. This marks an exciting change that will offer more opportunities for entertainment, as well numerous restaurant choices.

However, the location isn’t the only aspect that will be improved. Student pharmacists will be happy to discover new and expanded events especially for them. In particular, MPA is proud to provide special programming for pharmacy students of the colleges of pharmacy at Ferris State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. The ACE provides intensive continuing education programming designed to prepare pharmacy professionals for the future. Topics cover a wide range of health and practice setting issues to meet your desired professional needs.

Be sure to save the dates and make plans to attend. Visit the MPA website often for updated information and further details.

MSHP Invites You to Its Annual Meeting

The Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP) Annual Meeting is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 14, and will take place at the Radisson Hotel in Lansing. The day will include educational opportunities, networking and exhibits for viewing. The MSHP Annual Meeting brings pharmacists, pharmacy residents, student pharmacists and pharmacy technicians together, which makes it a perfect opportunity to network with other professionals.

The event is free for students and residents who register before the Oct. 27 deadline. All registrants will automatically be entered to win prizes throughout the day. Register online now.

After registration and continental breakfast in the exhibit hall, the keynote session, entitled "How to Get Paid for Clinical Services," will be presented by Daniel Buffington, Pharm.D., of Clinical Pharmacology Services. Other clinical topics include management of headaches and clinical pearls. The leadership track will include "Meet the Experts Roundtable: Emergency Preparedness, Competencies, USP <797>, Medication Disposal" and "Bar Coding: Ready, Set, Go." Everyone is also invited to attend the Town Hall Meeting in the afternoon.

This year, the meeting will again include an exhibit hall for participants to explore new pharmacy products and services and talk with representatives. The day provides plenty of time to visit the exhibits and make valuable contacts while learning the latest pharmacy information.

Student Pharmacists Descend Upon State Capitol

On Tuesday, Sept. 16, more than 80 student pharmacists representing each of the three Michigan colleges of pharmacy joined together in Lansing to help pharmacy professionals showcase the value of the pharmacist to legislators and their staff members. At Pharmacy Day at the Capitol, pharmacists and student pharmacists performed health screenings, such as blood glucose and cholesterol monitoring and blood pressure and bone density testing. Student pharmacists were met warmly by lawmakers and had an opportunity to visit both House and Senate office buildings to share information, as well have their pictures taken on the House floor. View the photo gallery for the event.

About Student Michigan Pharmacists Association

Welcome to Student Michigan Pharmacists Association (SMPA)! We are glad you have joined the state’s professional association as you look to begin your pharmacy career. Be sure to connect with SMPA on Facebook to network with other student pharmacists in Michigan, and find the latest student events, opportunities and jobs. 

SMPA Benefits
You will receive e-news weekly each Wednesday, with the latest on pharmacy news and events to keep you up-to-date on important pharmacy issues. That also includes electronic versions of Michigan Pharmacist, the official journal of MPA, and the Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP) Monitor.
Many MPA event registrations are complimentary for student pharmacists to attend throughout the year. SMPA members are encouraged to attend and participate in MPA Legislative Day in the spring, as well as Pharmacy Day at the Capitol, held in September of each year. Other special student events are held during the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Annual Meeting & Exposition as well as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Annual Meeting.

Michigan Pharmacy Foundation (MPF) also conducts an adopt-a-student program in conjunction with the MPA Annual Convention & Exposition. The purpose of the program is to have a an MPA pharmacist member adopt a student for the convention, allowing them to network and attend the Annual Banquet & Awards Ceremony.

Available only to SMPA P4 students, MPA offers by invitation only the opportunity to attend an MPJE law review session at no cost during the convention. Participants are taken through a detailed review to assist them in preparing for this exam after graduation, and they also receive a copy of Michigan Pharmacy Law: A Guide to Statutes and Regulations.

Student MPA members also have the opportunity to form teams from their college to participate in the Self-Care Challenge each year during the convention. This is a new event as of 2010 that allows alumni to root for their college team while earning continuing education credit.

Student members are also encouraged to participate on MPA Committees. These committees allow the student to develop additional leadership skills and have a positive impact on the profession of pharmacy.

Career Information
Each year MPA publishes an annual economic survey. This report details pharmacy salaries throughout the state. You'll know exactly what you can expect to earn when you begin your career. MPA also publishes a special career opportunities section in the March or May issue of Michigan Pharmacist that includes feature articles on information relevant to student pharmacists and new practitioners.

Do you know how to become a licensed pharmacist? If not, explore this resource that gives reciprocation details and other important information every student looking into pharmacy licensure should know.

Also, explore MPA's online classifieds for current job opportunities. MPA also partners with JobTarget for state, national and regional job listings. Keep your resume on file for employers or browse posted positions online.