APhA2024 Adventures: Inside the HOD on Day 3

Nicole Larroza is a second-year PharmD candidate at the Oregon State University College of Pharmacy and the 2023–2024 APhA–ASP Region 7 regional delegate.

With a cool spring breeze on a bright, sunny Sunday, the Sunshine State pulled out all the stops to make the third day of the 2024 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition (March 24) a beautiful one.

I had a slower and relaxed start to the day, as the set-up for the APhA–ASP House of Delegates (HOD) had already been taken care of, and the other regional delegates and I were not needed until later on in the day. I took advantage of the morning and spent time with my chapter members who attended the annual meeting along with me, and we talked about the fun sessions we attended and all the different people across the country we got to meet and connect with.

Getting ready for the action

Once it got a little closer to time for the final session of the HOD, I made my way over to help check in the chapter delegates. I had helped out the previous day, and luckily enough the regions that I was helping check in were Regions 7 (my home region!) and 8. Most of the same people who served as their chapter delegates in the first session were the same delegates for the final session, and that made it easier to recognize them and make the check-in process smoother.

I even had time to chat a bit with some of the delegates from different chapters I hadn’t met yet. I realized throughout the meeting just how fulfilling and heartfelt these kinds of events can be, letting me connect with people I normally wouldn’t get to on a daily basis and allowing me to form new friendships.

Spirited debate and speeches

From the first session, there were a total of four resolutions that were brought to the House, and all four were passed! It was an honor to work on these resolutions and be with such amazing and awe-inspiring regional delegates. The resolutions passed were:

2024.1 Loan Repayment Eligibility

APhA–ASP calls for pharmacists to be eligible for loan repayment funds in a manner consistent with other healthcare providers.

2024.2 Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Education

APhA–ASP encourages the judicious use of artificial intelligence in healthcare education with an ethical and human centered approach that supplements the abilities and knowledge of educators and students.

2024.3 Interpretation Services

APhA–ASP supports policies within healthcare settings and legislation that increase the utilization and quality of certified medical interpreting services to improve patient care and outcomes.

2024.4 Financial Planning Education

APhA–ASP advocates for the inclusion of financial planning education early and throughout the curricula of schools and colleges of pharmacy to equip student pharmacists with the essential knowledge, resources, and skills needed to manage personal finances proactively and responsibly.

The other voting that occurred in the final session involved elections for the 2024–2025 APhA–ASP National Executive Committee (NEC). While we elected four individuals to the NEC, every student pharmacist who ran for a position gave an amazing speech and ran an inspiring election. It takes courage to put your hat in the ring and step out of your comfort zone in this way, and I just know that the confidence and class all the nominees exhibited that day inspired others in the HOD to believe in themselves and have the confidence to do something like that.

We waited with bated breath as the results were tabulated. In between votes being counted and the confirmation, the microphones on the floor were open to everyone. Some came up and told jokes or gave quick anecdotes about their time as student pharmacists coming to these meetings, while others wanted to give thanks to the soon-departing student pharmacist leaders. Sometimes you don’t notice it when it’s become so natural and commonplace, but through the work you do—whether it be chapter, regional, or national leadership—you form connections and meaningful relationships with everyone you meet.
Toward the end of the final session, votes were tallied and the 2024–2025 NEC was elected. The new NEC will be:

APhA–ASP National President-elect Rachel Dawson

APhA–ASP National Members-at-large Ashley McKechan and Nicole Sandoval

APhA–ASP Speaker of the House Stephen Presti

Then, to end her term as APhA–ASP National President, Victoria Lyle passed the torch as Miranda Montoya took the stage and gave her speech as the new APhA–ASP National President and addressed not only her old and new NEC, but all student pharmacists and pharmacy leaders in the House. It was a heartfelt and uplifting moment to be in the room as she stepped into the role and unveiled her presidential theme for the year: “Each of Us For All of Us.” I could tell in the room how much Miranda’s speech meant to everyone. This sense of togetherness between everyone in the academy she wanted to support and foster—you could feel it. There is strength in the numbers we have, and it comes from the individuality of each region, chapter, and member.

APhA’s supportive community

I was inspired by every person I met on Sunday. The passion in every room I walked into was contagious. Everyone wanted to support one another and see each other grow and thrive. That’s the kind of community that you can see and experience when going to conferences such as the APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition. From attending regional meetups to sitting next to one another in the House, and all the coffee runs and running through the Exposition Hall in between sessions, it was a weekend I don’t think I will ever forget.

Whether you’re the one standing in front of a room full of people to give a speech or one of the people in the crowd carefully listening, every single person is important, and every single person has the dedication and care for this profession, our colleagues, and our future.