By Clayton Melson
For me, not too long ago, the letters APhA–ASP were nothing more than an abnormal distribution of vowel and consonants in a bowl of alphabet soup. I will admit that in these last fleeting few years of pharmacy academia, the Academy’s significance and impact on my life has expanded tremendously. There is, however, one defining moment that culminated its impact on my life up to this point and it is a unique perspective that I have the distinct pleasure to share with you.
While many student pharmacists were immersed in the spectacle that was APhA2019 in Seattle, I tasked myself to find the true essence of APhA–ASP.
This year was a golden opportunity to interview people and archive the moments from the past that will help shape our future. From APhA–ASP Chapter posters outlining their progression through the years and a 50th anniversary exclusive “Lessons from Leaders” session starring an all-star cast of our past best and brightest, to the 50th Anniversary Former Leaders Reception, there was a wealth of resources with which to compound the essence of APhA–ASP.
Traveling through time at poster sessions
“Don’t be afraid to try something new … by challenging ourselves, we create opportunities.” These were words of wisdom tailored from the experiences of past APhA–ASP Speaker of the House Collin Conway, PharmD, whom I met at the Former Leaders Reception. APhA–ASP’s inception was forged from this ideal and it has been a cornerstone for the development and growth of countless patient care projects and initiatives over the last 50 years. It was fascinating to travel through time with the chapter poster presentations and see this philosophy in action.
I enjoyed speaking with several schools and colleges of pharmacy representatives during the three poster sessions. Jordan Thoman, a student pharmacist at the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Pharmacy, presented his chapter’s original charter dating back to 1945 and photos of prescription drug take-back initiatives long before the existence of Generation Rx. Mercer University College of Pharmacy student pharmacists Julie Whatley and Sara Black shared photographs of patient care moments in their history that assisted in setting the standard for pharmacy today. In the wake of mental health awareness, a number of chapters, like The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, are trying “something new” by implementing mental health initiatives aimed at the well-being of patients and pharmacists alike.
Hearing these chapters challenge themselves for the sake of patients and the profession was singularly inspirational, yet exist as revolutionary steps in the development of APhA–ASP. Conway finished the mantra of seizing opportunity by adding, “Opportunity may yield success or failure, but you won’t know what doesn’t work until you try.
Sage advice
This lasting thought from Dr. Conway segued conveniently into the discussions at the Lessons from Leaders session. APhA–ASP Past President David Steeb, PharmD, had more insight on the progression and improvement of pharmacy: “All improvement requires change, but not all change is improvement.” To say that the road to success in protecting the profession and providing care to patients has been easy would be a complete fabrication. But perhaps we are equally defined by the adversities as we are the accomplishments we have faced. What if the opportunities we have taken, regardless of the outcomes, are the foundation of the home we have built now in APhA–ASP? Could the essence of APhA–ASP dwell within the risks we have taken to get here or is there more to it than that?
It was also at this session that APhA–ASP Past President Lucy West, PharmD, BCCP, had more to say on her 2015–16 presidential theme “Live Your Why.” Meaningful intrinsic value isn’t found in what we do, or how we do it, but why we do it. Her message as a leader was to live with intention always, remembering the reasons that originally drew us to serve in this profession. Our “why” is the fuel to our passion that precipitates value and self-worth. APhA–ASP Past Speaker of the House Jason Gaines, PharmD, echoed this message by encouraging members in the room to seek to define their purpose. Individual success and the success of the Academy hinges on defining our purpose for doing what it takes to provide adequate care for the right reasons.
Taking risks and defining purpose were both concepts addressed in an interview with past APhA–ASP National Member-at-large Nick Dorich. Dr. Dorich acknowledged these components, but also conveyed another message, stating, “Everybody comes to the table with something unique to offer, whether that be a skill they possess, a different perspective, or an area to grow.” This sentiment was expanded on by past APhA–ASP President Vibhuti Arya Amirfar, PharmD, MPH, who noted, via comedic metaphor, the collective whole is greater than the sum of a few “super” parts (or chickens). Nothing in this association or profession has been achieved alone. It is this collective whole that encourages and challenges each other to strive for the differences made in the lives of the patients served every day.
We are ‘pharmily’
Through the rich abundance of pharmacy leadership saturating the city of Seattle during APhA2019, there was no shortage of knowledge, guidance, vision, and enlightenment among APhA–ASP’s celebrated history. Among this plethora of wisdom, there did seem to exist one commonality; a theme that seemed to transcend time. I believe it was said best by APhA–ASP Past President Carmela Silvestri, PharmD: “APhA–ASP is and has always been a family.”
Maybe all of the aforementioned advice from past leaders serves as functional methodologies; attributing to the success and current state of the Academy. But what if the true essence of APhA–ASP is that simple, something as warm and elementary as a bowl of alphabet soup? Perhaps it is a place that feels like home and reminds us why we serve, forever supported by our past, present, and future “pharmily.”