For as long as I can
remember I have maintained an interest in becoming a healthcare professional.
When I learned about the profession of pharmacy, I was immediately enticed by
the amazing opportunities for growth and advancement as a provider and as a
professional. Today healthcare is at a critical point of change where this
opportunity for growth as a profession has never been greater. I envision a
healthcare environment where pharmacists are active and respected members of
the healthcare team who would make a significant impact on patient care by
improving pharmacotherapeutic outcomes. This belief has been a driving force
behind my ambition to serve as a student leader and to make an impact as a
member of the profession of pharmacy.
While I remain
optimistic that these objectives are highly achievable, I recognize that there
are several obstacles for our profession to overcome. We must prove to other
providers, payers, policy makers, and even to ourselves that we as a profession
are more than capable and willing to practice in an integrated and collaborative
environment. For this reason I feel very strongly about the goals of ASHP to
serve as a pharmacist advancing healthcare that promotes the initiative to
develop the future pharmacy practice model.
The Pharmacy
Practice Model Initiative is evidence that I am not alone in my passion for
advancing the pharmacy profession for the sake our patients. When I consider
the recommendations set forth by PPMI, I am encouraged and excited about being
an active professional that contributes to the implementation of these goals.
To enforce these objectives our profession must stand on a united platform, and
this movement begins with motivating and inspiring student pharmacists to
promote our practice throughout the future of pharmacy.
Many students share
similar visions where we aspire to a practice that has a significant impact.
However, it is challenging to ask ourselves what that practice should resemble
when we have little experience with pharmacists and their clinical practice. To
promote awareness and understanding of PPMI, students will need to become
better connected to currently practicing pharmacists and to become familiar
with the opportunities that are present if we continue to advocate for our
profession. First, to exemplify the many different practice areas of pharmacy I
will continue to seek guest speakers who represent different clinical practice
areas in health-system pharmacy. Additionally, I will continue to expand our
pharmacist-student mentorship program with the New Mexico Society of
Health-System Pharmacists to stimulate personal relationships between students
and pharmacists in their areas of interest. Finally, I will continue to develop
and promote interprofessional programs with other health professional students
to deepen our understanding of how we might work effectively as a collaborative
team.
I believe that when
students better understand what we are capable of as a profession that they
will feel encouraged and recognize the purpose of promoting the Pharmacy
Practice Model Initiative. To assist with this I would like to implement new
programs that will increases awareness and participation as advocates for PPMI.
These programs would include holding a “mock” PPMI session with other students
to learn more about how recommendations were developed, how we might continue
to envision new objectives, and to find inspiration for our future pharmacy
practice. In doing this, we will be better suited as student pharmacists to
speak about our professional goals to key stakeholders that must recognize our value
as healthcare providers. Finally, I will continue to encourage active participation in the many outreach programs that we have,
such as with policy makers at our Legislative Day in the state capital, in our
interactions with other healthcare professionals, and with the patients that we
treat.
As a student pharmacist I am very passionate about
advocating for the profession of pharmacy, and I understand that the Pharmacy
Practice Model Initiative is an important step for our profession in making a united
movement that advances healthcare. While it is key to involve all members of
the profession, I believe that student involvement is particularly important
given that we represent the future of pharmacy, and we must be involved in
shaping how we practice in the future. I am devoted as a student leader to
creating a culture among students where advocating for patient health is of the
utmost importance, and it begins with establishing a healthcare system where
pharmacists are involved to improve health outcomes with our clinical
abilities.