US Pharm. 2008;33(12)(Student suppl):14.
Currently I am in my second year of
pharmacy school at the University of Connecticut (UConn), and it has been an
amazing experience in terms of what the school can do for you as a student and
the various opportunities that are available, such as community projects and
studying abroad. Pharmacy school has broadened my views of what pharmacy is,
and I have discovered the variety of paths that pharmacy can take. The
curriculum is tough, and some days there is little time to study; however, I
have learned how to balance my study time with the various activities I take
part in.
One group I am proud to be
involved with is the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA), a
national organization I joined during my sophomore year in college. Later on,
in the spring of 2008, I became the president of my chapter, an office I still
hold. SNPhA cares about pharmacy and health care–related issues and about
serving underrepresented minorities, and it works to implement improvements in
pharmacy and the community. SNPhA stands by its mission, and this is the
reason I am devoted to it.
Since its inception in 2004,
my chapter at UConn has nurtured many pharmacy leaders; having started with
very few active participants, it has grown to embrace more than 70 members. A
majority of our members are prepharmacy students, and we promote mentor–mentee
relationships. Part of what I do is to develop good relationships within my
organization and make it a sort of family where people can depend on one
another, help each other, and give advice. I have developed my chapter into
one that stands stronger for its purpose and has increased its devotion to
raising awareness about various health issues.
We participate in many health
initiatives and service projects within the community. Some of the projects we
are involved with are blood-pressure screenings, smoking cessation, diabetes,
flu, and one that we created--Unity Week. Unity Week, held each March,
celebrates diversity and promotes professional careers in pharmacy. Unity Week
is themed, and we bring in speakers from the community. This year's theme was
"The Kaleidoscope of Pharmaceutical Practices," which highlighted that
pharmacy is not just retail. Our art show, also part of Unity Week, involves
contributions from other pharmacy organizations and shows what it means to
them to be part of the health care field.
I am proud to be a leader
within SNPhA and within my pharmacy school. Being a part of SNPhA has changed
who I am, and one of the things it has affected is my shyness. I did not know
that I was capable of leading an organization of this size and of
standing before an audience to give presentations with ease. I became the
"mother" of this chapter, as my close friends in the organization call me. I
have made many members my friends, and I have seen quite a few of them enter
UConn's School of Pharmacy. What I love about this organization is that I am
surrounded by people who care about what SNPhA does and believe in teamwork.
The best thing I have gained from leading this organization--the first position
of authority I have held in my life--is being able to help society and bring a
bigger meaning to what I do. It has made me a better person and it has allowed
me to understand what my capabilities are, including my weaknesses as well as
my strengths.
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