Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Welcome Resident Anusha Raju

My name is Anusha Raju and I am currently a first-year pharmaceutical care leadership resident, on my five-week rotation with MPhA. I grew up in New Jersey, where my father has owned an independent pharmacy for the past 20 years. I went to pharmacy school at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. Throughout my practice and development in these various settings, I have never seen a state association do as much as Minnesota Pharmacists Association.

This first week was relatively quiet, but I was able to learn about what MPhA does. From the advocacy, events, and continuing education opportunities, MPhA truly serves as a voice for Minnesota Pharmacists. However, it is up to members to be proactive to really make their membership count. This is done best by talking to legislators, participating in committees, and being a role model to future pharmacists as leaders for the advancement of the profession. Pharmacists can only see a value in their profession and state organizations by being active.

For the next few weeks, I hope to gain more insight into MPhA by leading discussion tables at Pharmacy Nights, participating in committees, going to legislative sessions, and completing a few projects.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Sean Kenny - Week 4


Hi Everyone,
The Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday the 13th highlighted my fourth week at MPhA.  This recent MPhA board of directors meeting was the second meeting that I have attending in the past year.  My first board of directors meeting was a completely different experience than my second.  At the time of my first board meeting I did not have an appropriate understanding of the focus of the meeting and moreover did not understand the goals of MPhA.  Since the start of my MPhA rotation I have gained a greater appreciation for MPhA as an organization.  I now understand the role of MPhA in advancing the profession of pharmacy.  While on rotation I have been able to participate in MPhA meetings, observe meetings at the capital related to pharmacy practice, and update information on the website creating resources for members.  As a result of these experiences I was able to follow most of the information discussed at the most board of directors meeting and even contribute to some of the discussion.  What I have taken away from my experiences at MPhA is the importance of the professional organization and what it means to advocate for the profession of pharmacy.     

Later in the week I had my leadership presentation and class meeting, which made me excited about finishing up my pharmacy education.  Studying pharmacy at the college has been a long and interesting process.  Only now do I feel like I am getting the big picture about what pharmacy means and what I want to do with it.  I am excited about the future and hope that I can act as an advocate and support for my fellow pharmacists in the community. 

During the next week I am planning on finishing up work on a couple of projects, spending a day at the capital with Matt, writing a report about student loan repayment options, and wrapping up.  It seems like these past four weeks have flown by and I know that the last will go even quicker.  My next blog will contain more information about lasting impressions.  Keep an eye out for it.

Sean  

Friday, March 16, 2012

Sean, Week 3


Hi Everyone,

During the third week of my rotation at MPhA I have completed work on a couple of projects that I started in the previous two week and also started some new ones.  I have wrapped up my work on the immunization webpage update and am excited to see how the results pan out online.  I took a comprehensive approach to working on this project and wanted to provide all of the information that a pharmacist in all areas of practice may require and would more so appreciate having access to. 

This week I continued to work on the continuing education project that is focused at providing independent study opportunities for pharmacists in the community.  I have been working with Renee to obtain the information that we need to accredit the CE material.  To obtain some of the material I have contacted the South Dakota Pharmacist Association, but have not been able to speak to anyone at this time.  I will continue in the next week to try to connect with them so that we can obtain the information we need to continue with the CE implementation. 

Also during the week I was able to attend and participate in MPhA’s professional and public affairs meetings.  These meetings were really interesting and I gained more of an understanding about the focus of MPhA and also about ways in which we can advance the profession of pharmacy.  In the upcoming week we are going to have the board of directors meeting at headquarters and I will continue to update and monitor legislature at the capital.  Look forward to my updates.
-Sean

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Final post by Resident Lindsay Sorge

New Orleans was a great host to APhA last weekend! Amazing food and music... and a fun meeting! I was fortunate to meet many people and see old friends. I participated in the House of Delegates representing Minnesota. I learned so much regarding APhA policy, Roberts Rules, and how to diplomatically present your thoughts. I learned the most about the background of the proposed policy or policy changes during the Open Hearings. It was a good forum for the public and delegates to express their concerns or support and it lead to good discussions. The Open Hearings and House of Delegates gave light on each individual state's practice of pharmacy, the issues most important to them, and how they want pharmacy to advance.

This was my final week with Julie and MPhA. It was a fabulous time and learned so much. Thank you for the experience!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Health Care Reform

The snow last week did not keep MPhA from getting work done! We attended the Health Care Reform Task Force meeting and heard updates from the four work groups on Access, Care Integration/Payment Reform, Public Health/Prevention, and Workforce. When discussing patient satisfaction, work force issues, and shortages of primary care providers, one of the task force members asked, "Why don't patients schedule appointments with their pharmacist?" This was empowering to hear from someone who is a leader in her organization and involved in state health care reform. During this time of reform it is important for pharmacy to step in and have their voice heard to ensure we are included as essential members on an integrated healthcare team.

For more information of the MN Health Care Reform Task Force and meetings please visit: http://mn.gov/health-reform/health-reform-in-Minnesota/

Monday, March 5, 2012

Sean Kenny - Week 2


Hello Everyone,

My second week at MPhA began with a snowstorm.  As a consequence of the snow I spent the first few days of the week working on updating the pharmacist immunization page on the MPhA website.  I was able to update the important immunization information and even find some new information about the Minnesota Vaccines for Children Program.  It was interesting to review immunization information and evaluate how guidelines have changed since the last time I review them.  I am excited to see how the webpage turns out. 

Later in the week Lindsay and I went back to the capital for a follow-up meeting with the Minnesota Health Care Reform Task Force.  Some of the topics discussed during the meeting included updates on CMMI opportunities, an update on the citizens league, and also a panel discussion with administrators from major health care systems around the state.  The panel discussion was the most interesting section of the meeting because the organizations voiced their concerns about health care reform and unanimously seemed to support standardization of care across hospital systems.  I will continue to attend the task force meetings and follow their progress.

I wrapped up the week by working on a project to make independent study continuing education an option for pharmacy members of MPhA.  We are still at the early stages of the project, but I have been able to review some of the education material and begin to work with Renee to verify information and obtain accreditation for the education credits.  Next week I will continue to work on the CE project and hopefully have a working draft by the end of the week.