Ever since I finalized my APPE rotations schedule, I have been anxiously awaiting this block. Sure, I was excited for the ICUs and the medical units, the community pharmacies and ambulatory care experiences...but the opportunity to temporarily move to the Washington DC area and spend five weeks learning through the
ASHP Experiential Education Program? It's such a unique experience, and I can't wait to see what the next few weeks bring.
Some things I know already:
- The staff members here at ASHP are awesome. I'm working with Karl Gumpper, Director of the Section of Pharmacy Informatics and Technology. A fellow Pitt Panther, Jen Smith, is also here with me, and she will be working with Jill Haug, Director of the New Practitioners Forum. They were both so welcoming as soon as we stepped foot into the building yesterday. We went to lunch together at a nearby restaurant (which was great, by the way), and had such a blast -- especially when Karl got showered in Diet Coke after a waitress lost control of the tray. He was a great sport about it too! Everyone else I have run into in the office has been so kind to me; I just know that I'm going to make some great friends while I'm here!
- ASHP is more than the organization that is a source for residency information. I came into this being pretty involved in local and state activities, but I am shocked on all I was missing out on! The ASHP Connect website is really cool; I'm starting to add as many contacts as I can! I'm not a huge blogger, but after reading all of the great posts on the website, I'm inspired to contribute. Although we have never met face-to-face, Ashley Overy was a student extern here before I got here. She is a student ASHP member superstar, from what I can tell. Check out her blog -- it has some great posts too!
- Georgetown Cupcakes are awesome. Fortunately (or unfortunately?), there is a shop a few blocks away from the office in Bethesda, MD. Every day at 10AM, they give the first 100 people a free cupcake -- fellow extern, Veldana Nuhi, clued us in..I have a feeling I will be doing that often. (Confession: I also went yesterday too...my family had tried them several times, and it was on my "must do ASAP" list for my time in Bethesda). Thank goodness I have access to a gym while I'm here!
- The Metro is really convenient! I rode it for the first time yesterday. It was a little intimidating at first -- everyone was moving so fast! But eventually, I found my way. I'm staying in DC with a friend while I'm here, and the Metro ride is like 8 minutes tops. Pretty sweet. My parents are coming down this weekend, and I'm excited to go explore a little more with them.
All in all, I've only been here for 48 hours, and I know that these next few weeks will have a significant impact on my professional career. Students -- you should definitely think about 1) getting more involved and 2) coming down here for a student externship!
Feel free to post questions or comments. I'm sure I will have lots more to share soon!