Each of Us, for All of Us

Miranda Montoya is a final-year PharmD candidate at The University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy and the 2024–2025 APhA–ASP national president.

The APhA–ASP presidential theme is meant to inspire and provide student pharmacists with a common purpose to implement throughout the year. “Each of Us, for All of Us”—my 2024–2025 theme—is the paradoxical balance between providing support for yourself and your community.

This theme can be applied to every aspect of life. In pharmacy school, you have been socialized to believe you need to stand out as a student pharmacist. No one talks about it, but you all feel it and know it’s there—a form of “toxic individualism.” You have to balance grades, research, work, student organizations, leadership, etc. You get so wrapped up in trying to be the best student pharmacist, you lose yourself.

The elements of my theme were born after seeing myself and my classmates struggle with this balance.

APhA is my community

So how does one balance the two? Social activist Ruby Sales once said, “It is in community and in relationship with others that we locate a self that we could never find being isolated.” I believe student pharmacists already have the tools to support themselves and their communities, they just need to rewire their brains to leverage these tools.

For me, APhA gives me that much-needed space and support of a community but also allows me to grow as an individual. I think about how incredible it is to be a part of something bigger than myself and also have the power to pursue my interests. I have a community of people who all share a similar passion—wanting to better the profession of pharmacy. You can be as active or passive in the community as you’d like. Motivational speaker and author Jim Rohn said it perfectly, “It takes all of us for each of us to be successful.”

A theme for everyone

Since introducing my presidential theme at the 2024 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition this past March, I have tried to incorporate it into my way of thinking and everyday life. I wish to give you all the same challenge. I encourage you to be mindful. Make a conscious decision this week to focus on self-care in the context of community. For example, try a yoga class, register to vote, or try a new restaurant with friends or family. Something that involves more than just yourself.

Throughout the year, you’ll have the opportunity to read about what the theme means to student pharmacists across the country and how they have implemented it. This is a theme for everyone and anyone, and I cannot wait to read about it alongside you!