For those of you I haven’t met yet, my name is Elise Damman and I am the newest member of the APhA–ASP team. In August 2021, I began as the senior manager of student development, a move from the National Community Pharmacists Association, where I completed an Executive Residency in Association Management and worked on their education team. In my new role with APhA–ASP, I get to work directly with chapters, leaders, and chapter advisors to provide resources, create connections, and support endeavors to ensure student pharmacists have opportunities to grow as leaders, learn about the profession, and explore career opportunities.
Enjoy working with you
One of the main responsibilities within my role is managing the multiple components that go into our six patient care projects, which includes communicating with our project supporters. It is a rewarding experience to observe and showcase the impact and effort put into these projects as you all serve your communities and practice your skills. In addition to this, I serve as the staff liaison for the Regional Members-at-large and the Member Engagement Standing Committee. I love the chance to work directly with your student leaders and support them in turning their ideas into realities!
I also bring in my education background to pull together programming for our various meetings and conferences, including the Midyear Regional Meeting and APhA Annual Meeting and Exposition. This part of my job allows me to assess the needs of chapters and its leaders and to think of strategic ways to address these needs at the national level.
Other things I am involved with include running the PharmFlix contest, supporting communication efforts, and working directly with chapter advisors. I also enjoy getting to mentor student pharmacists who are completing an experiential rotation with our department. Overall, my position serves to create opportunities and resources for student pharmacists to develop both personally and professionally in the journeys of their pharmacy careers.
Get to know Elise
Fun facts: I love to travel and explore new places. I studied abroad in Cardiff, Wales the semester before I began pharmacy school (at Drake University), and, while there, ran a half-marathon in Liverpool and celebrated Easter at the Vatican. I love running and staying active and am currently training to become a Pilates instructor. You can almost always find me with a coffee in my hand or listening to Spotify.
Q&A
What show are you binging?
How I Met Your Mother
Which Disney character is most like you?
Topanga Lawrence from Boy Meets World
What is your favorite ice cream?
Anything coffee-flavored
If you could choose another career, what would you be?
Investigative journalist
What is your favorite season (spring, summer, winter, or fall)?
Fall—I love the changing of the leaves, football, and jeans-and-sweatshirt temps!
What is your advice for student pharmacists?
Talk about your passions and interests without hesitation. You never know who may connect with your ideas or know someone to whom you could connect.