Katie McDuffie is a third-year PharmD candidate at the High Point University Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy and was the 2023–2024 APhA–ASP Region 3 Midyear Regional Meeting Coordinator.
Serving as the 2023–2024 APhA–ASP Region 3 Midyear Regional Meeting Coordinator (MRMC) has been one of my favorite experiences during pharmacy school. Over the past year, I gained invaluable lessons about leadership, teamwork, and the power of connection. From planning impactful events to building lasting friendships, this role allowed me to grow personally and professionally in ways I never anticipated.
Forming a bond
Working with other MRMCs and regional delegates from across the country, I learned how to navigate the challenges of collaboration across multiple time zones. To address this, my team and I developed effective strategies for time management and leveraged one another’s strengths to accomplish our goals. Together, we contributed to various initiatives, from leading discussions at the APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition and Summer Leadership Institute to creating and developing an engaging Midyear Regional Meeting (MRM).
These experiences helped me form lifelong friendships, and I am grateful to have worked with such a passionate and talented group.
Getting ready for MRM
The highlight of my term was working on MRM. Planning began in January, when we reviewed the successes and challenges from the previous year and brainstormed ways to expand upon the work of past regional officers. During the summer, my team collaborated to create an MRM planning guide, which helped chapters host successful chapter watch parties for the event. We also drew from our regional knowledge to develop unique opportunities for students to explore potential residencies and fellowships through the Virtual Career Showcase.
My MRM moments
One of my favorite MRM memories was seeing the Innovative Programming posters during the virtual portion of the agenda on Thursday night. It’s always inspiring to learn about the creative initiatives other chapters are implementing, and I’m eager to bring some of those ideas back to my own chapter. Then, on the first Friday of November, I boarded an early flight and arrived in Washington, DC, for the onsite portion of MRM. After months of preparation, it was finally time for the big weekend! I was excited to see my fellow regional officers in person after months of virtual collaboration. I also looked forward to meeting student pharmacists and hearing from the speakers.
Friday night marked the first big event: a networking social at APhA headquarters. It was a pleasure to connect with fellow Region 3 members, exchange ideas about what’s working at their schools, and brainstorm solutions to shared challenges.
Saturday was the main conference day, and I could hardly contain my excitement. The regional officers arrived early to prepare the conference space and welcome attendees. The first speaker of the day, Christina M. Madison, PharmD, FCCP, AAHIVP, a public health pharmacist, shared insightful perspectives on personal branding and advocacy. Her message about building professional identities and championing the pharmacy profession resonated deeply with me, especially as I work on improving my LinkedIn presence.
Another standout speaker was Tina Bayuse, PharmD, FasMA, a NASA pharmacist, who emphasized the importance of standing up for oneself in professional spaces. Each speaker brought a unique perspective, and I took away valuable lessons from all of them.
Lessons learned will come in handy
Reflecting on my time as MRMC, I am immensely proud of what we accomplished. The year was filled with challenges, but it was also a period of significant growth. I’m excited to apply the lessons I’ve learned to my future endeavors and continue advocating for the profession. The friendships, skills, and memories I’ve gained will stay with me for a lifetime, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve in this role.