During the month of October, I had the unique opportunity to complete an APPE rotation at ASHP headquarters with the ASHP Research and Education Foundation. Through projects aimed at increasing awareness of what the Foundation does, I learned how many resources the Foundation offers students, residents, and experienced practitioners. Through research grants, traineeships and leadership programming, and awards for all levels of practice, the Foundation provides pharmacists tools to provide the best direct patient care to patients.
One of the best things about this rotation at ASHP has been to build relationships with the fantastic staff members at ASHP and hear their journey of how they ended up in their current roles. With a culture of open doors and appreciation of work-life balance, I have felt more than welcomed into the workplace. A common theme I learned from talking with staff members is that if you find what drives you in your career, you can find positions where you can make your biggest impact to serve patients and the profession.
This rotation provided so many additional opportunities: I was able to sit in on a hearing at The House of Representatives and hear how covered entities are using the 340b drug pricing program to provide exceptional care to patients that otherwise would not be affordable; I was able to visit other organizations around the DC metro area, such as USP, NIH, AACP, and FDA; and I was able to form friendships with students from across the country also on rotation with ASHP. I know the connections and friendships I’ve made will go well beyond this month, and that is invaluable.
I would encourage all students to consider this rotation opportunity with ASHP. This experience has helped me grow my personal and professional network. Being at ASHP, I have immersed myself in an innovative, supportive culture, focused on patient well-being and elevating the ASHP member community to become leaders in safe and effective medication use. I am so thankful for this experience. I feel even more inspired by my colleagues and my profession as I prepare for the Midyear Clinical Meeting and begin the application process to residency programs as a fourth year student pharmacist. I look forward to continued involvement with ASHP and the Foundation as a soon-to-be new practitioner.
Rachel Brunner
PharmD Candidate 2018
UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy