A Minute With...
Eric Pham, 2023 PharmD candidate,
University of Mississippi, Jackson, MS
Member since 2018
Since joining APhA as a member, one of the most valuable moments was the opportunity to serve as operation immunization chair of the University of Mississippi (UM) chapter of APhA–ASP. Being the chair during the height of the pandemic brought its set of challenges, but I was not afraid to jump right in to help our community and represent pharmacists and students pharmacists. We had our gracious volunteers of student pharmacists, pharmacists, and other UM School of Pharmacy staff willing to jump into serving our community and patients. In addition, I had the opportunity to collaborate with other APhA–ASP chapters around the nation to discuss their challenges and how they were adapting their Operation Immunization efforts.”
How has APhA helped you establish meaningful connections?
In attending my first Midyear Regional Meeting (MRM) in Fall 2019, I established meaningful student connections from other APhA–ASP chapters. I still keep in touch with some of those people on social media platforms regarding their internships, APPEs, and residencies.
When I hosted a pediatric residency information session, I was able to reach out to Kelli Jo Welter, 2019–2020 APhA–ASP national president; she was so willing to come speak to our students about her interest in pediatric pharmacy and share her advice on prioritizing her residency search.
How has APhA helped prepare you for your career as a pharmacist (e.g., experiences in patient care projects, leadership opportunities, advocacy, etc.)?
Serving in my role as operation chair of The UM School of Pharmacy’s APhA–ASP chapter during the COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the most rewarding experiences in preparation as a future pharmacist.
During the preparation of the influenza and COVID-19 vaccine clinics, I was able to use my clinical knowledge of the vaccine and vaccine administration techniques as well as my operational procedures knowledge to communicate to our team and help run a smooth, successful clinic.
What excites you about the profession of pharmacy?
Personally, I am very excited about the growth of the profession. In spite of the pandemic, recognition of the pharmacy profession brought into greater light the accessibility and knowledge of pharmacists.
As I am pursuing a postgraduate pharmacy residency, I am excited to gain more clinical knowledge and diversify my skillsets through various medication use evaluations and projects.
Can you share a meaningful story about a time you interacted with a patient? Perhaps a time you felt like you really made a difference for them?
This may not be a single-patient interaction, but during our drive-thru flu clinic and COVID-19 immunization clinics, we had so much feedback on how logistically sound and accessible the vaccine was.
There is a lot of background work that happens in order to achieve successful outcomes and knowing that the patients of the UM community were able to notice the details of the clinic, made me feel like I made a difference in providing comfort and ease in getting vaccinated. ■
ICYMI: Career planning home study
APhA recently held a webinar entitled “Explore Your Own Pharmacist Career Planning.” The recording of this webinar is now available as a self-paced learning activity that can be completed for CPE credit at apha.us/CareerPlanning. During this webinar, speakers Lynette Bradley-Baker, PhD, CAE, RPh, and Nidhi Gandhi, PharmD, BS, discuss how pharmacists can effectively plan for the various facets and stages of their career through utilizing many concepts and actions including continuing professional development, networking, mentorship, and goal setting. ■
Get involved
The primary purpose of the APhA–APPM Nuclear Pharmacy Practice Special Interest Group (SIG) is to serve pharmacists involved in the specialty practice of nuclear pharmacy by providing an avenue in which to fulfill individual professional goals and support the goals of the academy. “As we approach the 50-year anniversary of nuclear pharmacy as the first pharmacy specialty recognized by APhA, we have more radiopharmaceuticals for both therapeutic and diagnostic applications in development or newly released than ever before,” said David Barnes, SIG coordinator. “This allows the Nuclear Pharmacy Practice SIG to provide education and share practical experience that our members attain in helping bring these new products through clinical trials to commercialization and treatment of patients daily. As the largest gathering of nuclear pharmacists of any organization nationally, our members come from national chains, independent nuclear pharmacies, academic institutions, and industry with a goal to help bring new pharmacists into the profession and advance the practice of nuclear pharmacy.”
Visit apha.us/NuclearSIG to learn more. ■
Did you know?
Burnout is real. APhA offers a free online screening tool, the Well-Being Index (WBI), to evaluate fatigue, depression, burnout, anxiety, stress, and mental and physical quality of life to assess your well-being. This research-validated tool invented by the Mayo Clinic is 100% anonymous and confidential. The WBI for Pharmacy Personnel measures 9 dimensions of distress including likelihood of burnout, meaning in work, severe fatigue, work-life integration, and more. In just 5 minutes, see your assessment, scores, and resources for each dimension. Assess as often as you like to track your well-being over time. This is not a one-time survey!
Visit apha.us/APhAWBI to access this free resource that’s open to all. ■