Have you ever thought about attending one of ASHP’s meetings or conferences? If not, I would consider registering for this upcoming Summer Meeting in Denver, CO from June 6th – 10th. As part of my summer internship with ASHP, I had the opportunity to attend the Summer Meeting last year. It was my first time attending a national meeting and the experience I gained is invaluable. If you aren’t familiar with the event, it is often referred to as a much smaller version of the Midyear meeting. Consequently, it is a lot easier to navigate and offers a unique opportunity to discuss with influential leaders in our profession, meet other students from across the nation, and establish professional relationships.
In addition to being able to expand your network, students have the opportunity to attend several interactive sessions/workshops together. Last year, the meet and greet session with pharmacy leaders and the student leadership development workshop turned out to be some of my favorite events. They allowed me to speak with highly experienced pharmacists and obtain insights on residencies and future career options. I can’t stress enough how valuable this experience was for me.
I also had the opportunity to attend the House of Delegates Open Forum/Sessions. Hearing discussions about policy recommendations/amendments was very interesting. It is a great way to stay informed and learn more about advancements in the professional practice of pharmacy.
I highly recommend attending the Summer Meeting to every student. This year, the four boutique meetings will be ambulatory care conference, informatics institute, medication safety collaborative, and pharmacy practice & policy. It is a unique opportunity to connect with peers & pharmacy leaders and participate in education events. If you are planning on attending the Midyear Meeting, the Summer Meeting is a great opportunity to find out how to make the best out of those meetings and be ready when December comes around. For more information, please follow the link below.
http://www.ashpmedia.org/sm15/