Preparing for the APhA–ASP HoD: A guide for student pharmacists
Stephen Presti is a final-year PharmD candidate at The University of Iowa College of Pharmacy and the 2024–2025 APhA–ASP speaker of the house. The members of the 2024–2025 APhA–ASP Policy Standing Committee are: Chair Elaina Vitale, final-year PharmD candidate at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy; Kendall Kerr, final-year PharmD candidate at the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy; Bryce Mortera, final-year PharmD candidate at the University of Cincinnati James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy; and Saad Shafi, final-year PharmD candidate at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy.
We, the APhA–ASP speaker of the House and APhA–ASP Policy Standing Committee, are thrilled to invite you to engage in one of the most impactful aspects of your membership: the APhA–ASP House of Delegates. This is where you, as student pharmacists, have the power to shape the policies that guide our profession and advocate for the future of pharmacy.
Gearing up for Nashville
The path to the 2025 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition APhA–ASP House of Delegates in Nashville is filled with opportunities to learn, collaborate, and amplify your voice. To prepare, we encourage you to take full advantage of the Policy in Action webinars leading up to APhA2025. Held weekly starting on February 20, 2025, these sessions focus on the policy statements written by the APhA–ASP Resolutions Committee. Each webinar dives into a specific policy statement, offering background, rationale, and a chance for open dialogue. These sessions not only help you understand the proposals, but also equip you to discuss and deliberate them effectively in the House of Delegates. All student pharmacists are welcome to attend.
For chapter delegates, preparation is key. Be sure to attend the Chapter Delegate Orientation session on March 11, 2025, which is designed to walk you through your role in the policy process. This includes voting, engaging your chapter members, and presenting their perspectives according to house rules. This session ensures every delegate feels confident representing their chapter and contributing meaningfully to the discussions.
The on-site action
At APhA2025, the energy of the APhA–ASP policy process comes to life! We will kick things off with the Open Policy Forum, a dynamic session open to all student pharmacists. This is your opportunity to bring forth ideas, debate policy proposals, and advocate for the issues you care about most. It’s a collaborative and inclusive environment that sets the stage for the formal deliberations to come.
The APhA–ASP House of Delegates itself is split into two sessions to maximize discussion and engagement. It is crucial to have your chapter delegate present at both sessions so that your voices can be heard! During the sessions, we review and debate the proposed policy statements in detail, with delegates sharing insights and considerations from their chapters. Following the deliberation, we take it to a vote and finalize which policy statements will represent our academy and contribute to APhA’s broader policy initiatives.
Additionally, chapter delegates will cast their votes for the APhA–ASP national executive committee candidates, who will lead the academy at a national level for the 2025–2026 term. These sessions exemplify the power of collective decision making and demonstrate the impact we have as student pharmacists.
Check the APhA2025 schedule for event dates and times.
Your voice matters
Your participation in these events is not just a responsibility: It’s an opportunity to be part of something bigger. The policies you help shape today will influence the future of pharmacy practice, patient care, and advocacy. Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned delegate, your voice matters.
Let’s make this year’s House of Delegates a resounding success. Together, we can champion the future of pharmacy!