Award defines what it means to be an APhA–ASP member
Rylee Pitts is a final-year PharmD candidate at the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Pharmacy.
Every year, our chapter strives to build upon the foundation it has established while pushing the boundaries of the impact student pharmacists can make. That’s why it was such an honor to receive the 2021–2022 Operation Diabetes National Award at the 2023 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Phoenix this past March. This recognition was a testament to our student members’ hard work and dedication to the University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC) School of Pharmacy APhA–ASP Chapter and the community.
During the 2021–2022 school year, UMKC APhA–ASP Operation Diabetes initiative members were eager to re-establish opportunities for student pharmacists to make an impact on patients’ health. We began to ease back into normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic slowed down while still taking precautions to protect those around us. This allowed us additional opportunities to develop professionally, promote the health of our community, and expand the reach of our profession. The chapter accomplished this through patient care events, student development programming, and global community outreach.
Patient care events
Our Operation Diabetes initiative led to a total of 1,228 screenings, including blood glucose testing and American Diabetes Association risk assessments. This included a trip to the Missouri State Fair, where we conducted blood glucose screenings, resulting in five fairgoers being referred to their primary care provider based on their results. Additionally, chapter members volunteered at health clinics with medical and dental students to provide vaccines and diabetes screening for underserved and underinsured populations.
Impactful programming
During Diabetes Awareness Month in November 2021, our committee planned an educational meeting during which all chapter members had the opportunity to hear from a 13-year-old adolescent who had recently been diagnosed with T1D. This meeting was very impactful as it gave students an opportunity to learn about diabetes from a different perspective than learning in class. Following the meeting, student pharmacists felt better equipped to provide support for patients and their families navigating diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.
The chapter also hosted a blood glucose screening training day for new student pharmacists to learn how to perform a blood glucose screening safely and accurately. Current members were able to assist with the training session, allowing student pharmacists to both teach and learn these skills.
Global community outreach
Our committee used social media, physical handouts, and a billboard to spread awareness about diabetes. Through these outlets, the chapter provided education to the community about diabetes and its prevalence and symptoms in addition to the lifestyle changes people can take to prevent it, how to assess risk for it, and the importance of seeking care when needed. Social media was used to educate student pharmacists on the ways we can help our patients with diabetes.
Inspires continued success
Our UMKC chapter has long given students the outlet to explore their passion for pharmacy and develop into the leaders our profession needs. Receiving the National Operation Diabetes Award was an incredible acknowledgment that inspires our student members to continue the successes of our past and to find new innovative ways to define what it means to be a member of the UMKC APhA–ASP Chapter.