Great Lakes Young Pharmacists Leadership Conference

MPA, in conjunction with the Indiana Pharmacists Alliance and Ohio Pharmacists Association, held the Great Lakes Young Pharmacists Leadership Conference (GLYPLC) Oct. 2-4, 2009. Individuals were selected by MPA on the basis of several considerations to attend this event at the Maumee Bay Resort and Conference Center in Ohio. The goal of the leadership conference is to identify emerging leaders, enhance leadership skills of participants and provide motivation to seek greater awareness and involvement in issues confronting the profession. MPA would like to thank attendees for their participation in the conference.

Top row, left to right: Heather Christensen, Randall Schloff, Charles Mollien, Derek Quinn and MPA Director of Marketing & Sales La Vone Swanson. Bottom row, left to right: Kali Schultz, Ghada Abdallah, Katie Lindsey, Jacqueline Morse and Allison Eck.

U-M Holds Pharmacy Picnic

The University of Michigan held a Pharmacy Picnic on Sept. 28. MPA Director of Marketing & Sales La Vone Swanson and Director of Governmental Affairs Greg Baran attended, along with more than 100 student pharmacists, faculty and guests. Attendees enjoyed beautiful weather, plenty of delicious food and conversation with their fellow classmates and others. MPA would like to thank Alice Yi-Li Yeh for inviting staff members and making the picnic a success.

Pharmacy Day at the Capitol Photo Gallery Online

The eighth annual Pharmacy Day at the Capitol was held Sept. 15, 2009, on the south Capitol lawn in Lansing. Pharmacists and student pharmacists were on-hand to educate legislators on the important role pharmacists play in Michigan’s health care system by performing health screenings and providing information on healthy lifestyle practices. Photos from this event are now available in MPA’s online photo gallery.

Student Pharmacist Self-Care Championship at 2010 Annual Convention

MPA is pleased to announce that the Student Pharmacist Self-care Championship will be held during the upcoming 2010 Annual Convention & Exposition, Feb. 26-28. Up to three teams of three will compete head-to-head, with winners from each Michigan college of pharmacy moving on to a final round of questions, similar to how the game show Jeopardy is played. The winning college will receive a traveling trophy to exhibit at their college of pharmacy for the year. Stay tuned to future MPA communications for additional details on the date and time of this event and how to register your team to compete. Since 2006, the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA) and the Nonprescription Medicines Alliance (NMA) have partnered in a continuing education event which promotes interactive learning of self-care topics.

Save the Date: 2010 MPA Annual Convention & Exposition, Feb. 26-28, 2010

The 2010 MPA Annual Convention & Exposition will be held Feb. 26-28, 2010, at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. The convention provides more than 60 continuing education programs; an exhibit hall to network with pharmacy professionals and learn of new products and services; and a banquet and awards ceremony to honor leaders in Michigan pharmacy.

MPA provides special educational programming for student pharmacists covering a wide range of topics. This year, some program topics of interest include financial planning and CV and resume writing skills. There will also be special events for those attending from the three colleges of pharmacy, including the Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP) luncheon; a Student Social, where student pharmacists will be encouraged to support their college by wearing their school’s colors; and a Self-Care Challenge. Students may also participate in the Adopt-a-Student program where they are “adopted” by pharmacy professionals to establish an ongoing networking relationship. Specific programming and event information, including registration, will be on MPA’s Web site as it becomes available.

Attend the MSHP Annual Meeting

The Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP) is holding its Annual Meeting Nov. 6 at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi. Student pharmacists and residents can attend the event free if they register by Oct. 26. After Oct. 26, a $10 registration fee will apply.

The Keynote Session will feature Andrew Remington, MBA, who will give a patient’s perspective on health care. Other programming will include a management roundtable discussion about the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG) 3E, health and health care preparedness and technician certification; a clinical track on blood factor products; a general session on opioids in chronic nonmalignant pain; and more.

There will also be a residency breakfast, complimentary to residents and MSHP members, which is designed for directors, preceptors, current residents and individuals interested in starting a residency program. Pre-registration is required for the breakfast. For more information or to register, visit MPA’s Web site.