Pharmacy is changing. How can we help move it in the right direction? We have a number of initiatives to guide it, especially ASHP’s own Practice Advancement Initiative. PAI intends to improve the care of patients through the use of progressive practice models that encourage the use of pharmacists as direct patient care providers. In addition, recognizing pharmacists as providers will improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. In order to educate students about both of these approaches, the SSHP chapters in New England worked together to hold events that promote the advancement of pharmacy.
Below are descriptions from each chapter about the events that were held the week of March 28 to April 1!
On behalf of the New England SSHP chapters, I would like to thank Northeast Ohio Medical University for inspiring the many Provider Status Walls that were made!
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences – Vermont Campus (Colchester, VT)
We placed poster boards out in the schools lobby that read: "I support provider status because _______."
A few of the responses on the board read:
- Vermont counties are medically underserved
- Pharmacists can fill the gaps in healthcare
- Pharmacists will be better integrated into patients health care team
We also hosted an event called “Scoop on Policy,” where we handed out information on how students can support provider status while enjoying an ice cream social! Dr. McMillian and Dr. Schnoor, pharmacists at UVM medical center, joined us at this event.
University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy (Kingston, RI)
At the University of Rhode Island, the week began by hosting the annual Provider Status Drive, during which students send emails to their legislators, encouraging them to support HR 592. We also unveiled our Provider Status Wall; students and faculty all wrote why they supported provider status on “capsules” and stuck them on the wall. The wall was later brought to the Rhode Island State House to display at the annual Face of Pharmacy, where students and pharmacists from around the state gather together so legislators can “see” pharmacy practice. Finally, the week wrapped up with an ice cream social and a presentation from the past-president of the Rhode Island Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Ewa Dzwierzynski, about the development and implementation of PAI.
The University of Saint Joseph School of Pharmacy (Hartford, CT)
The University of Saint Joseph School of Pharmacy hosted a live webinar discussing ASHP's Practice Advancement Initiative, with Dr. Kimberly Boothe of Yale-New Haven Hospital, PAI Coordinator for the Connecticut Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists. The event was a new and unique experience for USJ's SSHP, and we were grateful to be joined by other schools of pharmacy throughout New England. We would also like to thank Dr. Boothe for her insight and collaboration.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences University – Boston (Boston, MA)
Students from the SSHP chapter at MCPHS University - Boston attended the Face of Pharmacy event at the Massachusetts State House to lobby for bills related to pharmacy, including a bill to recognize pharmacists as healthcare providers! Additionally, SSHP members coordinated with MSHP to present posters on Displays of Pharmacy Practice at the Grand Staircase.
Western New England University College of Pharmacy (Springfield, MA)
We held the “Scoop on Policy” ice cream social in conjunction with a PAI Wall Art Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, which was inspired by Northeast Ohio Medical University’s Provider Status Wall! In addition, we held a legislative day, during which Massachusetts state legislatures visited the College to discuss their role in policy and advocacy as well as how student pharmacists can advocate for their profession.
Tom Szymanski
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