Ferris State and U-M Student Programs Honored by ASHP

Each year, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) recognizes student organizations, or Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists (SSHP) societies, across the nation. For the 2010-11 year, both Ferris State University (FSU) and the University of Michigan (U-M) were among the recognized student chapters, receiving official ASHP-SSHP honors. Student organizations that complete the required criteria for this program each year receive a certificate of recognition; awards for the incoming and outgoing president/officer for their SSHP; one complimentary ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Summer Meeting student registration; one complimentary ASHP publication; and use of the ASHP-SSHP recognition logo. For additional information on the program, visit www.ashp.org/sshprecognition.

Volunteer for Pharmacy Day at the Capitol

MPA’s Pharmacy Day at the Capitol will be held Sept. 14, 2010, on the south Capitol lawn in Lansing. Student pharmacists are encouraged to volunteer to assist in demonstrating to government officials the important role pharmacists play on the health care team. Stations will be set up to provide blood pressure monitoring, blood glucose readings, immunizations, emergency preparedness information and more.

New this year, MPA is also holding the Medication Disposal Event @ the Capitol, where participants can safely and responsibly dispose of medications, including controlled substance medications/narcotics. For additional information on this event, visit MichiganPharmacists.org/medicationdisposal.

Students participating are encouraged to visit the event page on the MPA Web site to RSVP by Sept. 9 to give the Association an accurate count of how many student volunteers to expect. Be sure to indicate your work station preference as well as whether you’d like to participate in legislative office visits or a tour of the Capitol, or both.

Volunteers are also encouraged to utilize the student survival guide supplied by MPA for directions, parking information and details on what to wear, what to bring and your role in the event. A tentative agenda for the day is also available online.

Following the event, from 3-4 p.m., MPA will be holding a brief continuing quality improvement (CQI) meeting and student ice cream social at the new MPA Family of Companies Headquarters at 408 Kalamazoo Plaza in Lansing.

If you have any questions regarding Pharmacy Day at the Capitol, contact MPA Professional Practice Assistant Nick Norcross at (517) 377-0251.

Student MPA Facebook Group Transitions to a Page

MPA recently transitioned the Student Michigan Pharmacists Association (SMPA) Facebook group to a page to better serve student pharmacist members. Stay connected with the latest student events, state-wide networking opportunities and jobs.

The page will be frequently updated with information relevant to emerging pharmacy professionals, including opportunities for jobs and residencies, event information and news from MPA and the Michigan colleges of pharmacy and blog posts from the Pharm.D.(evelopments) student blog. Be sure to visit the new page today and click ‘like’ to continue following SMPA!

Receive Complimentary Registration to the MSHP Annual Meeting Through Oct. 25

The Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP) Annual Meeting provides a great opportunity for student pharmacists to network with pharmacy professionals, attend sessions on a variety of topics and learn about the latest products and services in the exhibit hall. Student pharmacists and residents receive complimentary registration to this event through Oct. 25. After that date, a $10 registration fee will be applied.

Program topics include techniques to increase patient safety; incident command procedures and real-life hospital incident response using the attempted Christmas day bombing in Detroit as an example; and clinical and leadership tracks focused on clinical pearls, technology, and anticoagulation and management issues. For the second year in a row, a CPR certification course is also being offered for an additional registration fee. This course will include adult, child and infant CPR, along with AED and obstructed airway management training. Attendees will be required to pre-register for this course.

At the Annual Town Hall Meeting, awards will be presented to deserving individuals or groups, and MSHP officers for the coming year will be announced.

To register, visit the event page on the MPA Web site or call (517) 484-1466. The Crowne Plaza is also offering attendees a discounted overnight rate of $89 plus tax through Oct. 15. Please call (616) 957-1770 to make a reservation, and be sure to mention you’re attending the MSHP Annual Meeting.

Explore Job Opportunities on the MPA Web site

MPA has a number of postings for services, job openings and other opportunities of interest that are frequently updated on its Web site. In addition, MPA partners with JobTarget for state, regional and national listings. Users also have the option of posting their resume on the job board to have on file for potential employers. Visit the classifieds page on the MPA Web site or the JobTarget board today to explore a wealth of openings available to you.

CAPA Offering Student Scholarship

The Capital Area Pharmacists Association (CAPA) is offering up to two $500 student scholarships for individuals meeting certain criteria. The use of the scholarship is nonrestrictive and CAPA will award the winner(s) at its annual Michigan Pharmacy Week celebration, continuing education program and general meeting on Oct. 19. To apply, complete an application and supply a letter of recommendation and proof of the requirements listed on the application. Those interested must apply by Sept. 27. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Heather Schalk at heather.schalk@sparrow.org or Sarah Eagleston at sarah.eagleston@sparrow.org.

Task Force Meets to Discuss Student Pharmacist Involvement in MPA

by Claire Lee, P4 student pharmacist, Wayne State University

My name is Claire Lee and I am a P4 student pharmacist at Wayne State University. I am here at the MPA on rotation right now. I can honestly say I’m enjoying myself and that I’ve learned a lot about the MPA and the practice of pharmacy in general.

I recently had the opportunity to act as chair of the second annual Student MPA Task Force meeting. A total of eight students traveled from all three of Michigan’s colleges of pharmacy to MPA’s brand new building in Lansing. Topics discussed included student programming at the Annual Convention and Exposition, Pharmacy Day at the Capitol, general student involvement, and communication between MPA and students.

The meeting was highly productive and an interest was expressed on both sides for improved communication between staff at the MPA and student pharmacists at all three pharmacy institutions.

During our discussions, we realized that a lot could be gained through collaboration between students at Wayne State University, Ferris State University and the University of Michigan. By sharing ideas for patient care projects and resources for advocacy events, we can all work together toward a common goal. By working smarter through the sharing of information, the ‘re-invention of the wheel’ process can be reduced, or even eliminated in some cases.

Pharm.D.(evelopments) was originally developed as a place for students to blog. However, lack of interest has resulted in a transformation to a sort of student newsletter. Our new goal for this forum will be for student pharmacists to periodically post information about innovative programs taking place at their respective college of pharmacy. The hope is to work together to achieve the goals we have all set as individuals.

U-M Student Pharmacist Discusses Educational Experiences on YouTube

Watch this video from YouTube of P4 student pharmacist Kendra Yum discussing her educational experiences at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy.