Student Organization Spotlight

Highlights of Specific Student Organizations

Phi Delta Chi and Greek Life in Pharmacy School

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Hello again everyone!

The Spring semester is now in full swing and it’s hard to believe we’re a whole month into school already. This semester, while classes are surely keeping me busy, it’s all the extra things outside of the classroom that are really keeping my schedule jam packed. This week, I would like to give you a look into my personal favorite student organization, Phi Delta Chi, and talk about greek life in Pharmacy School as a whole. Whether you were/are in a Greek organization or undergrad, Greek Life in pharmacy school can be a great way to make friends and form lifelong professional connections too.

 

What is Greek Life in pharmacy school like?

Greek Life is very different in pharmacy school than in undergrad. For starters, we don’t have social fraternities or sororities and all of our organizations, at least at OSU, are coed. At OSU we have four greek organizations – Phi Delta Chi, Kappa Psi, Phi Lambda Sigma, and Rho Chi.

Phi Delta Chi and Kappa Psi are both professional pharmacy fraternities. Despite the name “fraternity” anyone can join either of these organizations after a candidacy process. To find out more about Kappa Psi check out the blog post all about it here. Being professional fraternities, both of these organizations balance professional events and social functions. For example you won’t find the stereotypical fraternity party hosted by Phi Delta Chi, but instead might find a networking event with a more social event afterwards.

Phi Lambda Sigma and Rho Chi are both greek honor societies. Focused on leadership and scholarship respectively, these two organizations are invitation only.

Phi Delta Chi

Phi Delta Chi (PDC) is the oldest professional pharmacy fraternity in the country. We first came to OSU in 1908 but were inactive for a few years and just came back in 2016. Being one of the newer student organizations in the college means we’re still on the smaller side but growing quickly. I am currently serving as the Worthy Chief Counselor (our formal term for president) of the Xi Chapter and couldn’t be more excited about what our chapter is doing and what we have planned.

I love PDC because of all the amazing experiences I’ve been able to have through it. One of our core values is building purpose-driven leaders. This past summer, me and three other OSU Pharmacy students joined hundreds of brothers from all over the country in Virginia Beach for our biannual Leadership Development Seminar (LDS). At LDS, not only did we learn a lot about how to be better leaders from brothers that are strong leaders in the field of pharmacy, including the past National President of APhA, but we got to meet and network with Brothers from all across the country. Even now, almost a year later, I still keep in regular contact with friends I met there that are in school in California, Texas, Tennessee, Michigan, and beyond. The network of brothers is amazing to have. I know that if I ever need a place to crash for a residency interview or tips about an area, I have Brothers I can count on.

At OSU, the Xi Chapter of PDC does all sorts of activities throughout the year. From bake sales to raise money for St. Jude to rock climbing trips to student panels to our annual Chapter Retreat in Hocking Hills, we’re always getting closer as a chapter. Our motto in PDC is “Brothers for Life” and I really do feel that the connections I’m making with brothers both at OSU and other chapters are connections that will last for life.

I hope this gives you an idea of what Greek Life in pharmacy school and more specifically Phi Delta Chi is like. As always if you have any questions just drop a comment below!

Me and part of my PDC greek family at our Autumn 2018 Initiation

Student Org Spotlight: SSHP

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Hi again!

This week’s blog post will be a student organization spotlight on the Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists, better known as SSHP. SSHP is one of over 15 student organizations at the College but is unique in the fact that it primarily focuses on health system (hospital and ambulatory care) pharmacy.

Who is SSHP?

SSHP strives to educate members about and provide opportunities related to hospital and health-system pharmacy. They want to help current pharmacy students be the most competitive candidate for residency and beyond!

What is a residency?A residency is additional post-graduation training meant to better prepare pharmacists for practice by providing them with a wide range of patient experiences. It provides the knowledge and experience that pharmacists need to meet the complex demands of today’s health care environment.

The Local, State and National Level:

While SSHP at Ohio State is the College level, there is a local, state and national level of the organization as well—this is true all over the country! For Ohio State, the local chapter is the Central Ohio Society of Health-System Pharmacists (COSH), the state level is the Ohio Society of Health-System Pharmacists (OSHP), and the national chapter is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Each level holds different events and programs, for example, COSHP hosts monthly dinners which double as a networking opportunity and contain an educational lecture (and delicious dinner); while ASHP hosts Midyear every December, which highlights residency programs across the country, provides continuing education for pharmacists and students.

What does SSHP offer for students?

  • General Body Meetings—like most general body meetings at the college, lunch is provided while you hear from clinical specialists who can practice in a variety of settings—from ambulatory care, to pediatrics, oncology and hematology, emergency medicine and much more!
  • Socials! There is at least 1 social per semester that allows students of all classes to network and get to know one another better
  • Mentorship programs! There are mentorship opportunities available through the Wexner Medical Center and Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
  • CV Review
  • Leadership Opportunities and Positions
  • Clinical Skills Competition—this starts at the school level and can go all the way to the National level depending on student success. Students are paired with a classmate and given a complex patient case to manage and present.
  • Professional Development
  • Community Health Service hours through the Columbus Free Clinic and Generation Rx Collaborative

SSHP is truly a wonderful organization for any student that is interested or may be interested in residency or hospital-based pharmacy!

As always, feel free to reach out to me with any questions!

Cassie Rush

One for All and All for One: A Spotlight on Kappa Psi

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Hello everyone!

It’s hard to believe that this year is winding down and my time as a P3 is coming to a close. In a few short weeks I will have finished my finals and will be moving on to Capstone. June seems so far away right now but before I know it will be day one of my first rotation at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. But, before I get caught up in the nervous excitement of becoming a P4 I wanted to take a few moments to tell you about one of my favorite student organizations, Kappa Psi.

It is no secret that our college has a plethora of student organizations and each one offers something unique and valuable to its members. I myself have been a member of all 3 of our large organizations, APhA, SSHP, and SNPhA. But, my favorite organization here at Ohio State is by far Kappa Psi. The large organizations are fabulous for hearing about different opportunities and careers within the profession and ways that you can make an impact, but I have truly found a home within Kappa Psi.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, what makes Kappa Psi so special?  I won’t lie to you, it’s hard to put into words why Kappa Psi means so much to me, but I am going to do my best. One of my favorite things is that our chapter is extremely active in both our community and at school. This year we organized fundraisers for assisting the victims of Hurricane Harvey and raised funds for a virtual book drive for Reach out and Read. Here within Central Ohio we constantly volunteer for the free clinic Helping Hands and we made Valentines for the kids at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. But in order for us to be successful in our projects and initiatives we have to strong as a group. My brothers are some of my best friends and are always there for me when I need help with my classwork or time away from pharmacy school. Perhaps the best thing about Kappa Psi is that I feel connected to each class within the college and even with recent graduates. I have brothers in each class and Columbus has a graduate chapter and together we all support each other through the triumphs and challenges that arise in school. I honestly don’t think I would be the intern or student that I am today without my brothers. But, Kappa Psi is more than our chapter, Kappa Psi is the world’s largest pharmaceutical fraternity and our brotherhood goes beyond the city limits of Columbus.

This past weekend our Xi chapter journeyed down to Louisville, KY for our Spring Province meeting with the rest of our brothers from the Great Lakes Province. Our province includes chapters from local graduate chapters and schools including University of Cincinnati, University of Kentucky, Sullivan University, Ohio Northern University, Northeast Ohio Medical University, University of Toledo, Wayne State University, and Ferris State University. Going to Province is such an enjoyable experience for me because I love having the opportunity to network with fellow brothers from local schools (and sometimes brothers across the country!) and work on building strong relationships with them. While we may not see each other more than a few times a year, each time I meet up with a fellow brother we instantly pick up where we left off the last time and have a great time. I know that no matter what, I can always reach out to my fellow brothers to assist me in any way that I need.

ΚΨ Class of 2019 Brothers in Louisville, KY

Province offers many things to those who attend including continuing education credits, leadership discussions, financial planning sessions, and many more. But, one of my favorite parts of Province is the award ceremony where we honor the hardwork and triumphs of our local chapters for the year. I am happy to announce that the Great Lakes Province has been the most philanthropic province within Kappa Psi this year donating $4, 510 to our national charity Reach Out and Read! As an entire province we raised over $14,000 for various charities across the country to give back to our communities. Even more exciting news is that myself and the other brothers of Xi were the most charitable chapter within our province this year with our campaigns for Hurricane Harvey and Reach Out and Read! All in all, it was a great a weekend with my brothers and I left feeling inspired by the profession and my colleagues knowing that we truly do make a difference in people’s lives.

Xi Chapter posing with our Philanthropy Challenge Trophy

As my time within Parks Hall comes to an end, I have a sea full of memories about my time in the didactic portion of my PharmD, but almost all of them were made with my brothers of Kappa Psi. If there is any advice I could give to you as someone who is about to start their journey as a PharmD student, it would be to get involved and get involved early. Find your home within one of our many organizations and give it your all. Every employer or residency program is looking for leadership skills and those are things that can’t be entirely taught in the classroom. Also, take the time to go to the regional or national meetings because the networking opportunities associated with them are priceless. If you have any questions about our organizations or if you want more information about my experiences with Kappa Psi or other student organizations, feel free to reach out and email me.

It has been an absolute pleasure to share my thoughts and experiences as a student here at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy. I wish you the best of luck with the rest of your journey to becoming a PharmD!

Sincerely,

Chelsea

ΚΨ Family: L-R my twin’s little, one of my littles, my big, me, and my twin

ASHP Mid-Year

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Hi all!

This week I would like to talk with you about national conferences! As Victoria stated last week, pharmacy organizations such as OPA, APhA, ASHP and NCPA hold national conferences every year to showcase developments, new literature and to recognize outstanding technicians and pharmacists in their specialized fields! These conferences last several days and incorporate and attract hundreds if not thousands of attendees! It is a great way to branch out, meet new people and network with wonderful people in our profession!

In December, I was fortunate enough to attend Mid-Year, ASHP’s national conference in Orlando, FL! It was an amazing time traveling with my classmates to attend a conference focused on hospital pharmacy, which is where our passions are! (Getting out of Ohio’s cold weather was obviously a plus, too!)

National conferences host an array of activities that participants can attend such as workshops, lectures from distinguished speakers, poster presentations from pharmacy interns and pharmacy residents, as well as a Residency Showcase, which is the focus for a lot of P3 and P4 students. The Showcase shines light on many of the country’s terrific residency programs, and students have the opportunity to speak with program directors to find out more about those respective programs. As a current P2, it was neat to walk through the Showcase and learn more about the soecifics of these residency programs. I’m still undecided on what part of hospital pharmacy I would like to specialize in, so I really appreciated being able to see various programs and what they have to offer!

While we were in Orlando, we sat in on various lectures, including one about applying for residencies and the matching process, a focused lecture on a pharmacist’s soon to be role in medical marijuana, antibiotic resistance and how to combat this issue in hospitals with a push for more culture and sensitivity tests. It was refreshing to see different facets of pharmacy being addressed! It was a wonderful opportunity to attend a national conference!

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me at Erdmann.13@osu.edu.

All the best,

Ashley

SPOTLIGHT: Jorge Ng Zheng, PharmD/MBA and PLS

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Hi everyone!

Jorge is has been an inspiration, mentor, and friend to me since I started pharmacy school.  He is graduating in May with a dual degree and will be an amazing pharmacist.  He has written this blog post to share some of his experiences with you all.  I hope you find inspiration through his story as well!

Sincerely,

Joyce

Hello,

My name is Jorge Ng Zheng and I am a 5th year (no kidding) student in the PharmD program at The Ohio State University (OSU). I am currently completing my 5th year as I decided to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) along with my PharmD. I attended OSU as an undergrad as well. I was involved in several student organizations such as The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP), Pharmacy Council, Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists (SSHP), Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA), and Phi Lambda Sigma (PLS) while in pharmacy school. I decided to be involved in all of these organizations with an open mind and the goal of identifying an area of pharmacy to pursue after graduation.

I would like to elaborate on my involvement with Phi Lambda Sigma (PLS) specifically. PLS is the national leadership society within the field of pharmacy. Students are nominated into the society by current members for their involvement and leadership potential. The mission of the organization is to identify, foster, and develop leadership potential in individuals who will then make a positive impact in the field of pharmacy. I took on leadership roles in several of the organizations early in my PharmD career which resulted in my nomination into PLS during my P1 year.

I was honored and proud to be recognized and be a part of this network of leaders for life. Along with the recognition, I felt the need to take on a hand-on role and be more involved in the organization. I served as President and Vice President of PLS. My goal for the organization was to increase its visibility among students in order to get a variety of nominees and ensure continued growth. I was fortunate to work with an excellent executive board and, with their help, coordinate events such as the Mr. PharmD Pageant, the Mentor-Mentee Program, and The Etiquette Lunch to name a few.

As graduation draws near, I hope to continue being involved and giving back. The Mentor-Mentee program in particular was an amazing experience as it allowed me to connect with undergraduate students and serve as mentor/guide. I hope to continue this as a pharmacist. My goal is to help students find interests in pharmacy and hopefully develop them into passions moving forward. My experience with student organizations and PLS has been incredible. Involvement allowed me to explore personal interests, meet amazing mentors and students, and get a more well-rounded perspective on pharmacy. It is obvious that you should do well in the classroom but learning extends beyond the walls of Parks Hall.

If I were to give one piece of advice to prospective students it would to step up and develop the leader within you. Everyone has the potential to be an effective and inspiring leader. You do not have to be the most outgoing, the loudest, or awesome at public speaking for that matter to be a great leader. Leadership effectiveness is unique the each person, just like personal style. Be curious while in pharmacy school, step up when given the opportunity to lead, and be involved. The College of Pharmacy has 20+ student organizations (and OSU as whole has 1300+!) for you to explore your passions and learn to be the leader you are meant to be. As you start this next chapter, keep in mind that you will be challenged and sometimes have to juggle many things. I am confident that you will be able to handle everything successfully, find the value/lesson in every experience, and have no regrets looking back (just like I am today).

Thank you for your time and best of luck!

Jorge Ng Zheng

Jorge Ng Zheng

SPOTLIGHT: Mackenzie Harrell and NCPA

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Hey Future Buckeyes!

Mackenzie Harrell is a third year pharmacy student who is passionate about community pharmacy and currently works at Kroger pharmacy. She currently serves as the NCPA President at OSU. See below to read about one of the many events students in NCPA can attend 🙂

This past October, the National Community Pharmacists Association student chapter at Ohio State traveled to New Orleans for the 2016 Annual Conference. The conference was an opportunity for students to attend programming to learn about community pharmacy, meet students from around the country that are interested in community pharmacy and to network with pharmacists who currently work in community pharmacy setting. There were 14 Ohio State College of Pharmacy students that attended the conference. We had the opportunity to learn about many things such as how to start your own pharmacy, new services being provided by pharmacists and the importance of a community pharmacist as an accessible health care professional for patients.  It was a great opportunity for students to exchange ideas about the chapter with other student pharmacists and to learn from experiences of currently practicing pharmacists.

ncpa-chapter-pic

We also had the opportunity to explore the city and the culture in New Orleans. We attended a pharmacy museum in the French Quarter, went on a group cemetery tour, ate many beignets and cheered on the Buckeyes with the New Orleans Ohio State Alumni Association. One of my favorite nights was when we had a chapter dinner which all students attended that included bowling with our awesome chapter advisor, Dr. Sullivan.

ncpa-bowling-dr-s \  ncpa-pharmacy-museum

We had two students win national scholarships through NCPA, Kristine Mason, 4th year student, and David Chen, third year student.

ncpa-scholarship-winners

The conference concluded with a celebration including a live Jazz band, seafood dinner, tarot card readings and dancing. I think that national conference are a great way for students to strengthen their pharmacy experiences by gaining knowledge and making connections with pharmacists around the country. Furthermore, it is a great opportunity to spend time with classmates and further our passion of being pharmacists.

ncpa-me-and-rachel

-Mackenzie Harrell

 

-Thanks for reading! As always feel free to contact me with any questions at johnson.4816@osu.edu 🙂

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PharmD Student Organizations 2016-2017

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My best advice regarding student organizations is to explore them all at the annual Student Organization Fair on Monday, August 22nd from 9-11am on the 2nd floor of the Biological Sciences/Pharmacy Library! Over the first few weeks, capitalize on the free food and attend the meetings of the organizations you find most interesting.  Then pick 1-3 organizations that you connect most with to become an active member.  Dedicating yourself to an organization and is the best way to find a leadership position and make the most of the opportunities an organization has to offer!

  1. Pharmacy Council
    • Website: Carmen website, under “ongoing” – P1 students will be given access
    • Contact: Claire Mattison (mattison.31@osu.edu) and Caitlin Yocum (yocum.28@osu.edu)
    • Purpose Statement: We are an umbrella organization for all student pharmacy organizations and classes. We serve as the liaison between student organizations and between students and faculty. We organize fundraising, oversee class events, provide social interactions, and assist in recruitment events.
    • Why Join: Every student is already a member of Pharmacy Council! Our general body meetings are every other Thursday in Parks 107 during professional hour (11:30-12:30, and are open to all members of the College of Pharmacy. Leadership opportunities are definitely available to P1s—each class elects a president, vice president, secretary/treasurer, two class representatives, PharmD representative, and IPC representative.  P1 elections will take place at the beginning of the school year.
  2. Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP)
    • Website: http://amcposu.weebly.com/
    • Contact: Aakash Patel (patel.2254@osu.edu)
    • Purpose Statement: The purpose of AMCP is to provide students with an overview of managed care pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry as potential career paths. The OSU AMCP chapter shares the national organization’s mission of providing evidence-based and cost effective healthcare interventions for patients. It combines clinical aspects of pharmacy with sound business and economic models to make decisions that can improve the health of entire populations of patients.
    • Major activities: Pharmacy & Therapeutics Competition (2 elective credit hours), Managed Care & Industry Panel, Finding Your Future in 4 Minutes Networking Event (collaboration with APhA), Pharmacoeconomics Workshop, Managed Care Residency Roundtable, Field Trips to the Corporate Headquarters of Pharmaceutical Companies, Shadowing Opportunities at Health Plans, Accountable Care Organizations, and Government Agencies, Summer Internship Opportunities with Pharmaceutical Companies, Managed Care Organizations, Government Agencies, and Healthcare Consulting Firms, Mentorship Program with Managed Care/Industry Pharmacists, AMCP Midwest Regional Meeting, AMCP Nexus, AMCP Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy Annual Meeting
    • Why Join: By being involved in AMCP, you will continuously be inspired by areas of pharmacy that are new, innovative, and have the potential to improve healthcare for all.  The ability to combine clinical knowledge with business rationale allow pharmacists to provide care to populations of patients and make an impact on a greater scale. As students, we are rarely exposed to managed care pharmacy in the curriculum so AMCP strives to fill this gap by hosting informative meetings and educational workshops that give students an opportunity to learn from pharmacists in executive positions that make managed care decisions every day. If you have an interest in business, entrepreneurship, healthcare consulting, public health, pharmacoeconomics, health outcomes research, or health policy, AMCP can provide you with the knowledge and connections to find the career path in pharmacy that is best suited for you!
  3. American Pharmacist Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP)
    • Website: www.go.osu.edu/apha
    • Contact: Sarah Wheeler (wheeler.1085@osu.edu)
    • Purpose Statement: The mission of the APhA Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) is to be the collective voice of student pharmacists, to provide opportunities for professional growth, to improve patient care, and to envision and advance the future of pharmacy.
    • Major Activities: Career fair, American Pharmacists Month, Midyear Regional Meeting, Operation Immunization, Operation Heart, Operation Diabetes, Helping Hands Free Clinic, Finding Your Future in Four Minutes, APhA Annual Meeting and many more
    • Why Join: APhA-ASP offers numerous opportunities for student pharmacists to reach out into their community and practice what they have learned in the classroom through our 9 Patient Care Projects as well as many different professional development opportunities. These opportunities bring us into all different age groups and areas of the community ranging from elementary aged children to the elderly to the underprivileged. APhA-ASP is a home to all student pharmacists, regardless of their area of practice, and provides leadership opportunities for P1-P4s.
  4. The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP)
    • Website: https://sites.google.com/site/ascposuchapter/
    • Contact:  Nettie Emmelhainz (emmelhainz.18@osu.edu), Student President;  Dr. Ruth Emptage (emptage.8@osu.edu), Faculty Advisor
    • Purpose Statement: ASCP’s mission and vision is to serve seniors wherever they reside.  ASCP members manage and improve drug therapy and improve the quality of life of geriatric patients and other individuals residing in a variety of environments, including nursing facilities, subacute care and assisted living facilities, psychiatric hospitals, hospice programs, and home and community-based care.
    • Major activities: Fracture risk assessments for seniors, GenerationRx presentations on medication safety, ASCP social, and meetings on various topics of senior care and consultant pharmacy.
    • Why Join: As one of the smaller organizations in the college, we are a close-knit group of people passionate about senior care and consultant pharmacy. Come find out more about the issues facing older adults, the most complex patients in America, while enjoying good food during our meetings every other Tuesday!
  5. Buckeyes Without Borders (BWB)
    • Website: http://go.osu.edu/buckeyeswithoutborders/ 
    • Contact: Joyce Zhang (zhang.1177@osu.edu) or buckeyeswithoutbordersosu@gmail.com
    • Advisors: Diane Gorgas and Kristi Schumacher
    • Purpose Statement: Buckeyes Without Borders strives to foster global health awareness and teach OSU healthcare students the benefits of an interdisciplinary healthcare team on positive patient outcomes through outreach and education in underserved communities abroad, where we identify and treat the medical needs of their populations.
    • Major Activities: Nicaragua Medical Brigade over Spring Break, Fundraising events to support the medical brigade such as the Lucky’s Beer Pong Tournament, Harry Potter Trivia, and Photo Mini Sessions Fundraiser
      Why Join:       Not only does Buckeyes Without Borders give pharmacy students the opportunity to travel abroad and volunteer, but students also are making an impact on international patient lives, developing clinical skills and cultural awareness, and learning to work on an interdisciplinary healthcare team alongside medical, nursing, and social work students and faculty.  As a reestablished and growing organization, BWB has ample opportunities for leadership.
  6. The College of Pharmacy Chili Cook-Off at The Ohio State University
    • Website: www.go.osu.edu/osuchilicookoff
    • Contact: Garrett Lambert (lambert.297@osu.edu)
    • Purpose Statement: The purpose of the Chili Cook-Off is to bring together students, staff and faculty at The Ohio State University in order to organize and produce an annual event that benefits the Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio. Through bringing people together in the Ohio State Community for a common cause, the Chili Cook-Off unifies its members with a focus on their common purpose.
    • Major activities: Annual chili cook-off (November 18th, 5p-9p), 3-on-3 basketball tournament, Cupcake walk fundraiser
    • Why Join: The Chili Cook-off allows students to organize an event that brings together students, staff, and faculty at The Ohio State University as well as the Columbus community. This is a great way to give back to the community and support a local charity. As a member, you will have the opportunity to build relationships with other students, staff/faculty, alumni, local business people, and other important community members. Multiple leadership positions will be available each year.
  7. College of Psychiatric & Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP-OSU)
    • Website: https://cpnp.org/
    • Contact: cpnposu@gmail.com
    • Purpose: The purpose of the OSU collegiate chapter of the College of Psychiatric & Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP) is to (1) advocate for the role of neuropsychiatric pharmacists as integral members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, providing care for patients suffering from neurological/psychiatric conditions and (2) to serve our fellow students through programming that supports whole-body wellness, with an emphasis on mental health.
    • Major Activities: NAMIWalks Columbus, CPNP Journal Club, Harding Hospital Tour, and many more to come!
    • Why Join: Mental illness touches all of us, whether that means we personally struggle with a mental illness or know someone close to us that does. As a member of CPNP-OSU, you’ll have the opportunity to engage and network with pharmacists that work with these patients every day, providing compassionate, patient-centered care for those that struggle with mental illness. Our chapter is just now getting off the ground, and the sky’s the limit. We need members that are excited by the prospect of starting something new, that want to explore uncharted territory with us, and pursue their passions. Let us help you translate your ideas into action. Come be a part of a campus-wide movement, a growing culture of compassion, and represent the College of Pharmacy as founding members of CPNP-OSU.
  8. Generation Rx Collaborative
    • Website: http://www.pharmacy.ohio-state.edu/outreach/generation-rx-initiative
    • Co-Advisors: Ken Hale (Hale.3@osu.edu) and Nicole Kwiek (Kwiek.1@osu.edu)
    • Contact: Marie Latsa, Co-President (latsa.3@osu.edu), Emily Spencer, Co-President (spencer.631@osu.edu), and Lindsey Stalnaker, Treasurer/Secretary (stalnaker.33@osu.edu)
    • Purpose Statement: The Generation Rx Collaborative will function as a collaboration of Generation Rx initiatives within existing student organizations at The Ohio State University, and serve as a conduit through which interested students can get involved in Generation Rx activities. The mission of our organization is to enhance medication safety amongst various populations and to fight the increasing misuse and abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs through educational prevention, both locally and globally.
    • Why Join: The Generation Rx Collaborative is a great way for students to create their own project ideas (or participate in our numerous existing projects) to combat prescription drug abuse and spread awareness across OSU, Columbus, and potentially statewide/nationwide. Our organization will only be able to thrive and make a difference with the help of a group of passionate students that want to make an impact. If you share this passion, please join The Generation Rx Collaborative! We would love to hear your ideas and help execute your vision on how we can help spread awareness to help educate the public on the growing prescription drug abuse/misuse epidemic.
  9. Kappa Psi
    • Website: www.osukappapsixi.weebly.com
    • Contact: Kevin Wenceslao (wenceslao.1@osu.edu)
    • Purpose Statement: Our fraternity strives to advance the profession of Pharmacy educationally, fraternally, and socially. Our objective is to conduct a fraternal organization for the mutual benefit of the brothers and our profession. We instill the ideals of our fraternity, industry, sobriety, fellowship, and high ideals throughout our daily lives. We help serve the Columbus metro area through community projects and events. We learn from our past, ourselves, and our peers, while passing on the great tradition of Kappa Psi to future brothers.
    • Major activities: Helping Hands Clinic, Fall/Spring Province Assembly, Color Run, Rush events
    • Why Join: Kappa Psi is an organization that is built on brotherhood. We gather to build lifelong relationships that flourish inside and out of the classroom/workplace. Kappa Psi is also the organization of organizations. We gather students from all facets of the pharmacy profession and unite to promote each other and the projects we work on. This is a group that you’ll belong to beyond professional school. Kappa Psi for life.
  10. LGBTQ + Health Professions
    • Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1795029814063210/
    • Contact: lgbtqhealth.osu@gmail.com
    • Faculty Advisors: Dr. Anna Haas-Gehres (College of Pharmacy) and Professor Lauren Haas-Gehres (College of Social Work)
    • Purpose Statement: This organization consists of interdisciplinary health professionals focused on carrying out three main objectives. 1) To act as a voice within the LGBTQ+ community and advocate for curriculum development at The Ohio State University. 2) Enhance and enrich members with professional development opportunities 3) Provide community outreach that focuses on bettering the needs of the LGBTQ+ community at large by working to address specific needs through service-related outreach.
    • Major activities: Monthly member meetings; LGBTQ health professionals workshop day; semesterly health professional development opportunities such as guest speakers and safe zone or open doors training; speaking on various diversity panels; collaborating with other student organizations committed to raising awareness of patient diversity and inclusivity. Ongoing plans and activities dedicated to opening a free clinic in Columbus for the LGBTQ patient population.
    • Why Join: As a brand new organization, we are a small group of dedicated and passionate health professionals looking to make a difference in lives of LGBTQ+ patients and health professionals alike. This unique organization provides an atmosphere enriched by interdisciplinary health professionals. Immense opportunities for both leadership and professional development exist. Please contact us to get involved. We are eager to grow our organization and start making a difference.
  11. Phi Delta Chi
    • Website: http://phideltachi.org.ohio-state.edu
    • Contact: Alyssa Rinaldi (rinaldi.29@osu.edu)
    • Purpose statement: Phi Delta Chi (PDC) is a co-ed pharmacy fraternity that recently returned to Ohio State’s Campus. PDC strives to promote brotherhood through social events as well as acts of leadership, professionalism and community based service. Phi Delta Chi is partnered with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and provides the institution with proceeds each year.
    • Major activities: Brotherhood socials, Health screenings, Leadership-Development Seminar & Grand Council
    • Why join: As a newly re-chartered chapter we have the unique opportunity to impact the way the fraternity conducts itself. Becoming a brother of Phi Delta Chi allows you to develop yourself socially and professionally as a future pharmacist while having fun doing so. PDC provides many service opportunities to become more involved in the community. Experiences, such as annual regional and national conferences, will help to expand your network and leadership skills.  The motto of the fraternity is “Each needs the help of the other” which means that your brothers will always be there to support you both during pharmacy school and beyond.
  12. Phi Lambda Sigma National Pharmacy Leadership Society (PLS) – Alpha Sigma chapter
    • Website: National – www.philambdasigma.org
    • Contact: Rutvik Joshi (joshi.209@osu.edu)
    • Faculty Advisor: Bella H. Mehta, PharmD, FAPhA (mehta.6@osu.edu)
    • Purpose statement: Phi Lambda Sigma is the national pharmacy leadership society. It supports pharmacy leadership commitment by recognizing leaders and fostering leadership development.
    • Goals: To ensure the continuing availability of student and practitioner leaders for the profession of pharmacy, to acknowledge leadership achievement and award membership to leaders recommended by the Society, to enhance the talent, skill, and effectiveness of leaders for the profession of pharmacy, and to support and encourage sustained leadership commitment.
    • Major activities: Phi Lambda Sigma: organizes the Etiquette lunch for first-year pharmacy students in collaboration with the College of Pharmacy; provides the leadership symposium as an opportunity for student development of core leadership skills; hosts a book club for discussion of self-improvement techniques; coordinates the PharmD pageant as an entertaining way to fundraise, among others.
    • Why Join: The mission of Phi Lambda Sigma, Alpha Sigma chapter, is to recognize students who are leaders. Student pharmacists are selected by their peers because they demonstrate leadership and/or leadership potential. No greater honor can be bestowed upon an individual than to be recognized as a leader by one’s peers. Such recognition instills and enhances self-confidence, encourages the less active student to a more active role, and promotes greater effort toward the advancement of pharmacy. Leadership has become one of the most important attributes to success in both your professional and personal lives. PLS provides an environment for you to explore different leadership styles, develop your skills, and network with the other future leaders of pharmacy.
  13. PODEMOS
    • Website: http://podemosu.org/w/
    • Purpose Statement: PODEMOS is an inter-professional organization focused on providing medical care to rural villages in Honduras by sending medical, pharmacy, and dental students on medical brigades twice a year. Throughout the year PODEMOS holds a variety of events to raise money to support our trips.
    • Major activities: International medical brigades, Fundraising Events and Socials
    • Why Join: PODEMOS provides a unique opportunity for students to utilize their knowledge of pharmacy to help provide care to underserved populations in Honduras. Students get the chance to work alongside medical students and medical providers to enrich their own knowledge and make professional connections. PODEMOS also provides a range of leadership opportunities for members to get more involved in the organization.
  14. Rho Chi Society – Upsilon Chapter
    • Website: www.sites.google.com/site/rhochiosu/
    • Contact: Rutvik Joshi (joshi.209@osu.edu)
    • Faculty advisor: Milap Nahata, MS, PharmD (nahata.1@osu.edu)
    • Purpose statement: Rho Chi society encourages and recognizes excellence in intellectual achievement, and fosters fellowship among its members. Further, the society encourages high standards of conduct and character, while advocating critical inquiry in all aspects of pharmacy. The society seeks universal recognition of its members as lifelong intellectual leaders in pharmacy and as a community of scholars. Additionally, Rho Chi strives to instill the desire to pursue intellectual excellence and critical inquiry to advance the profession.
    • Major activities: Make and distribute survival guides for P1-P3 classes, compile and sell Pocket guides and Drug cards by bringing all the important guidelines, tables, charts and counseling points together in a booklet, recruit P2/P3 mentors for the incoming P1’s in collaboration with the college of pharmacy to make transition to graduate professional school easy for P1’s, to organize lecture series in collaboration with SSHP throughout the year to expand every ones knowledge and much more
    • Why Join: Rho Chi is the pharmacy academic honor society. Rho Chi is built upon academic and experiential achievement. Students are selected amongst their peers to be invited into the society. It is a great honor to receive recognition and should be strived for throughout the P1 and P2 year. Members of the society work together to help other classmates, develop leadership skills, and provide a means for fundraising and developing different ideas.
  15. National Community Pharmacists Association – OSU
    • Website: http://ncpaosu.weebly.com/
    • Contact: Mackenzie Harrell (harrell.89@osu.edu)
    • Mission: We are dedicated to the continuing growth and prosperity of community pharmacy in the United States.  We are committed to high-quality pharmacist care and to restoring, maintaining, and promoting the health and well-being of the public we serve through being leaders in care.  We value the right to petition the appropriate legislative and regulatory bodies to serve the needs of those we represent. We will utilize our resources to advocate for pharmacy and achieve these ends in an ethical and socially responsible manner.
    • Major Activities: Cardinal Leadership Series, Student Legislative Day, Annual Conference
    • Why Join: NCPA at OSU will expose you to the many opportunities in community pharmacy. As the most accessible health care professional, there are many innovative pharmacists who help patients every day in their communities. Through community outreach, leadership development and advocating for the pharmacy profession, NCPA at OSU is engaging students pharmacists. Through intimate general body meetings, there are amazing opportunities to interact with and network with pharmacists as well as other students. There are many opportunities for students to develop leadership skills. NCPA will help you stay up to date on current pharmacy legislation as we work together to advocate for our profession.
  16. OSU-SSHP Student Society of Health-System Pharmacy
    • Website: https://sites.google.com/site/sshpohiostate/
    • Contact: Andrea Haugtvedt (haugtvedt.4@osu.edu)
    • Purpose: To make students aware of the areas in pharmacy practice in health care settings, encourage proper use of medicines in the general public, encourage members to participate in the activities of the local (COSHP), state (OSHP), and national organizations (ASHP) of health-system pharmacy, promote participation in service activities throughout the community and encourage student participation in professional development activities
    • Major activities: Clinical Skills Competition, Mock Residency Interviews, Midyear to Match Series, Pie-A-Professor, Residency 101, First-Year Success Series Presentations (in collaboration with Generation Rx)
    • Why Join: Joining SSHP while in pharmacy school will benefit your pharmacy career by providing a variety of networking-based programming as well as professional development opportunities. For example, we hold monthly CE dinners with our local affiliate chapter, COSHP. With an SSHP membership, your meal is free and the chance to meet local pharmacists is priceless. In addition, if you are considering pursuing a residency after graduation, this is definitely the group for you. SSHP aims to give its members the tools and skills needed to achieve their post-graduate residency goals. Not sure about residency or even what area of pharmacy you would like to practice? Attend our general body meetings to hear about exciting prospects in this field from hospital specialty pharmacists, residents, and many more! Our members are more than happy to answer questions – do not hesitate to find out more about what SSHP can do for you!
  17. Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA)
    • Website: https://sites.google.com/site/ohiostatesnpha/about-snpha
    • Contact: Alyssa Sonchaiwanich (sonchaiwanich.1@osu.edu)
    • Purpose Statement: SNPhA is an educational service association of pharmacy students who are concerned about pharmacy, health care-related issues, and the poor minority representation in pharmacy.  The purpose of SNPhA is to plan, organize, coordinate, and execute programs geared toward the improvement for the health, educational, and social environment of the college
    • Partners/Collaborators: US Together Inc., Southeast Inc., CODA, First Year Success Series, REACH suicide prevention training, National Kidney Foundation, Kroger Nutrition Tours, Charity Miles Shot@Life, Asian Free Clinic, local schools in the Columbus area for the flu clinics
    • Why Join: With 8 core health initiatives, SNPhA truly is all encompassing to every realm of pharmacy. Just in this last year, SNPhA participated in over 50 events, serving over 2000 patients. From heart health, to diabetes, to immunization, to community outreach, SNPhA provides every opportunity to get involved and become a leader, including creating a health initiative of your own.  SNPhA also provides numerous scholarship opportunities for all students. Not only will you grow to love our passion to serve, but you will also find in SNPhA, we are family.
  18. Student Pharmacist Association for Diversity & Equity (SPADE)
    • Website: https://www.facebook.com/SPADEatOSU/
    • Contact: Emmanuel K. Osei (osei.21@osu.edu) or spadeosu@gmail.com
    • Purpose Statement: SPADE is a student run organization that is committed to promoting an academically enriching and supportive environment, allowing all students of the College of Pharmacy to feel welcomed and appreciated regardless of their background. We aim to recognize, respect, and value people’s differences in hope that all members are able to achieve their full potential by promoting an inclusive culture for all students. We are committed to helping non-native and native English speakers practice and improve their professional conversation skills in English through health and academic topics essential for the pharmacy profession.
    • Major Activities: Diversity & Inclusion training programs, Social events, Mentoring Programs, Pharmacy Informational Sessions, Service Learning Trips.
    • Why Join: Pharmacy education has shown that students who learn as part of a diverse student body are more inclined to care for patients from diverse backgrounds than are those graduating from less diverse institutions. Joining this organization will help prepare you for the demands of our diverse health care system. We believe diversity at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy will create culturally sensitive pharmacist, well informed leaders and optimize their ability to provide healthcare for all.
  19. Talent Show Association (TSA)
    • Contact: Ed Yoo (yoo.285@osu.edu)
    • Purpose Statement: To promote growth and relationships between faculty, staff, and students through the production of an annual talent show.
    • Major activities: Annual Talent Show
    • Why Join: You should consider joining because we are a small organization that you can easily get involved with and have your voice heard. We are a fun group of people who work hard to showcase the talented people of our college. Every year, the funds raised from the talent show are donated to a local pharmacy related charity of our choice. By joining TSA, you can help provide healthcare to those who cannot afford it.
  20. Veterinary Pharmacy Alliance (VPA)
    • Website: www.facebook.com/OSUVP
    • Contact: vetpharmacyalliance@gmail.com
    • Why Join: We are a brand new inter professional organization between the Colleges of Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine. We strive to educate each other on each professions’ abilities as it pertains to veterinary pharmaceutical care as well as increase interprofessional collaboration in order to provide the best healthcare to both our human and animal patients.

 

Joyce Zhang is currently a third-year PharmD student at The Ohio State University. She enjoys volunteering at local free clinics, providing healthcare to underserved populations on medical brigades to Nicaragua and Honduras, photography, running and hiking, and drinking tea. She is currently president of Buckeyes Without Borders, president of the PharmD Class of 2018, a Student Ambassador Coordinator, and a member of Phi Lambda Sigma (PLS) leadership society, American Pharmacists Association (APhA), Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA), PODEMOS, and Kappa Psi.

SPOTLIGHT: E. Michael Murphy

by at

Hello everyone!

I am very lucky to have a very influential, motivated, inspiring student pharmacist in my class! He was able to take time out of his busy schedule to write a blog post for all of you! I hope you enjoy his post and find inspiration in his choices and leadership.

Best,

Sarah

My name is E. Michael Murphy and I am a second year student pharmacist at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy. While attending pharmacy school many students find something that they are passionate about and that is what drives them through what can be the ups and downs of acquiring a PharmD. Some focus their attention on their studies and others on their internships or work experiences. I have found my passion in professional organizations. This past March I was elected by my peers to represent over 36,000 student pharmacists across the country as the next National President-elect of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP). I have chosen to be involved in professional organizations because they allow me the opportunity to impact the education and professional development of students today while envisioning the future of our profession.

My involvement in APhA-ASP began as a third year undergraduate student at Ohio State. I had learned about APhA in my History of Pharmacy class and wondered in Ohio State had a chapter. After stumbling onto their website I reached out to the Chapter and became their first APhA-ASP Undergraduate Liaison. Since that time I have served in several leadership roles on the Chapter and Regional level. However, do not let my early involvement in APhA-ASP discourage you. If you are already involved in something you are passionate about, then great! If not, it is never a bad time to start. By taking an active role in something that you care about you can truly make a difference. During my tenure serving student pharmacists across the country I have several ways that I hope to make a difference in our profession.

First, I will increase the mental wellbeing of student pharmacists by partnering with the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy to promote mental health in our colleges. Second, I hope to enhance interprofessional student relationships by working with other national professional student organizations. And finally, I plan to form global partnerships with colleges of pharmacy in our country and those across the world using resources established by the International Pharmacy Student Federation. I know that over the course of the next two years student pharmacists will bring together their collective voice to accomplish these goals which will advance our profession and enhance patient care across the world.

Overall, I hope to uphold the values of the student pharmacists that I represent and ensure that the profession is in a present stable position so that we might advance it to new heights. And that is exactly what involvement in professional organizations brings, a sense of hope. I won’t lie to you, being a student pharmacist is hard. Day to day balancing exams, work, assignments and a social life can be challenging but it is the goal we are working towards that makes it worth it. Involvement in professional organizations can give you a peek into what that goal will be like. It can help you experience interacting with a patient, learning about a new medication, or networking with peers from across the country. You will grow professionally in a fun environment. That is why I am such a strong advocate for professional organizations. If school ever gets hard then I don’t get down because I know I am a part of something bigger than myself that provides an opportunity to educate students, allow them to grow professionally, and makes a difference in the development of the future of our profession.

E. Michael MurphyScreen Shot 2016-04-04 at 10.55.03 AM

Interview with Mindy Lam – Pharmacist at the VA

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Over winter break, I had the opportunity to interview my fellow Kappa Psi brother, Mindy Lam!  Mindy is an OSU College of Pharmacy Class of 2015 graduate, and she is currently a pharmacy resident at the Columbus VA.

Mindy Lam, PharmD

Mindy Lam, PharmD

Tell us a little about yourself!

Hi! My name is Mindy Lam. I am originally from sunny Irvine, California. I did my undergrad at University of California – Irvine and moved to Columbus, Ohio, where I completed my PharmD at OSU. I’m currently doing a PGY-1 residency at the Chalmers P Wylie VA Ambulatory Care Center in Columbus, Ohio. After completing my residency, I hope to work as an ambulatory care pharmacist.

What organizations were you involved with during your time at OSU?

I was involved in Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity and SNPhA.

Dr. Mindy Lam (top right) with her Kappa Psi lineage

Dr. Mindy Lam (top right) with her Kappa Psi lineage

What exactly is the VA?

The Veterans Affairs is a government department that is dedicated to providing medical care and services to the veterans.

Can you describe the residency program and current job responsibilities?

The PGY-1 pharmacy residency program at Chalmers P Wylie VA is focused in ambulatory care, as the facility only offers outpatient services. We manage chronic disease states in pharmacist-run clinics, such as diabetes, anticoagulation, and hepatitis C. At the VA, pharmacists are able to initiate medications, adjust doses, and order lab work, giving us the autonomy and ability to make immediate and beneficial interventions to improve patient care. We also coordinate with the medical team when additional care is needed.

What was the application process that you went through to apply like?

As with most residency programs, the application process is handled through PhORCAS, which requires a letter of intent, letters of recommendation, pharmacy transcript, and CV to be submitted. Additional requirements are specific to the residency site, such as an on-site presentation, working through a patient case, or conducting a mock patient interview.

What are the most rewarding things about working at the VA?

The most rewarding thing is being able to use my clinical knowledge to help improve the healthcare veterans are receiving, especially after everything they have done for our nation. I follow patients longitudinally throughout my residency, which allows me to build good relationships with veterans and tailor their therapy according to their needs.

What are the most challenging?

The most challenging aspect of the residency is managing many different responsibilities in a work day, especially when unexpected things pop up.

How do you think OSU prepared you for the challenges you’re currently facing?

OSU definitely taught me how to manage my time and prioritize what needed to be done. From studying, completing projects, working a job or two, on top of attending class, doing IPPE rotations, it was a constant juggle between getting things done and making sure I had time for myself.

Any last thoughts or advice?

As I’m sure you have heard before, get involved in an organization that you feel passionate about, don’t be afraid to take on new roles and responsibilities – this is your time to do it! Be flexible, as there are many ways to get to your intended goal. And lastly, have fun and explore the different opportunities.

Thanks for sharing about your experiences, Mindy!

Questions for Mindy or myself?  Email zhang.1177@osu.edu.

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