Meet Trent Gabriel, a first-year PharmD candidate at The University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. We recently caught up with Trent to learn about him and find out why he decided to become an APhA–ASP member.
Student Pharmacist Magazine (SPM): Tell us a little about your background and why you chose to become an APhA–ASP member.
Trent: I am from the suburbs of St. Louis, MO. My areas of interest in the profession include emergency medicine, administration, and industry. I hope to pursue either a postdoctoral fellowship with a pharmaceutical company or PGY1/PGY2 residency.
I decided to become an APhA–ASP member because of the wide array of social networking opportunities, the ability to advance my career through certifications and board prep materials, and the continual fight to advance the profession of pharmacy that APhA–ASP has led. APhA–ASP has allowed me to connect with student pharmacists, current practicing pharmacists, and other members in the pharmacy profession and create strong, valuable, professional relationships. The valuable and professional relationships that have been made through APhA–ASP have turned into everlasting friendships. These friendships that have been made extend outside of the classroom and professional world. I cherish deeply the memories made already, the laughs shared, the numerous lunches consumed at Hillcrest Dining Hall, and the insanely busy nights at work when it is so busy all you can do is laugh. I look forward to continuing to grow these friendships throughout the next 3 years in pharmacy school and during my time in APhA–ASP.
Furthermore, through APhA, I look forward to embodying their core values of collaboration, accountability, respect, and excellence, which will help me to magnify my potential in my future career. APhA–ASP has already given me so much through my first year of pharmacy school, and I am eager to continue exploring the benefits, leadership positions, and networking opportunities that they have to offer.
SPM: What is your favorite APhA–ASP member benefit?
Trent: My favorite APhA–ASP benefit is the opportunity to connect with student pharmacists from other universities and start creating valuable professional relationships. Through my first couple of months as an APhA–ASP member, I’ve been shown the power of networking by connecting with an old friend that attends a different college of pharmacy. Through this old connection, I learned about networking opportunities, leadership positions, the APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition, and volunteer opportunities. However, none of this would have been possible if it wasn’t for APhA–ASP and its endless networking opportunities.
SPM: What is your favorite APhA–ASP memory?
Trent: My favorite APhA–ASP memory was attending a local chapter meeting and hearing from the current APhA President-elect Randy P. McDonough, PharmD. During the event, I got to learn about the work Dr. McDonough and APhA were involved in to fight for legislation to increase the scope of practice for pharmacists primarily in Iowa, but also across the country. Furthermore, I was fortunate enough to learn about how Dr. McDonough is shifting the scope of practice throughout his community pharmacies to make them competitive, patient-focused, and net-positive in a time when the environment for community pharmacies is extremely challenging.
I have been empowered since attending this meeting to join the movement to improve pharmacist wages and scope of practice. I look forward to attending Pharmacist Day on the Hill with the Iowa Pharmacy Association at the Iowa State Capitol in spring 2025. Through this event, I look forward to fighting for legislative efforts and public policy to improve the scope of pharmacy practice and presenting concerns that I see in the profession of pharmacy as a student pharmacist to Iowa congressional leaders.
SPM: Are there any projects or initiatives you've been particularly passionate about within APhA–ASP?
Trent: One project that I have been particularly passionate about is Operation Heart. As someone who has a close family member that suffers from chronic cardiovascular disease, I believe that pharmacists can play a primary, vital role in the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases. As a student pharmacist, I can take a front seat in the prevention of cardiovascular disease through community education, outreach, adherence, and therapeutic monitoring. I look forward to further getting involved in the Operation Heart at my local chapter and improving the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease in my local community.
SPM: If you were a superhero, what power would you have?
Trent: If I were a superhero, my power would be sleep negation. I find that there are always endless tasks to do like going through emails, studying for exams, completing extracurricular projects, etc. So being able to go through each day without the need for sleep would allow me to complete all pending tasks and still allow time for myself.
SPM: After a long day of school or work, what do you like to do in the evening to unwind?
Trent: My two favorite things to do after a long day at school or work are to go to the golf range or watch Netflix. I have been playing golf for 8 years, and it is something I have truly grown to enjoy. Going to the golf range allows me to get my mind off the numerous things that are circulating in my head and focus any negative energy into hitting the golf ball. Netflix is a great way for me to unwind if I am extremely tired. My favorite Netflix show to binge right now is Suits.