Tuesday, June 12, 2012

2012 MPhA Annual Meeting


On June 10, 2012, we wrapped up the 128th MPhA Annual Meeting, which was by far the best one yet out of the three annual meetings I have attended as a student pharmacist. Each year I have learned more and more about pharmacy and become more confident in my decision to enter this professional career. It is truly amazing to talk to other pharmacists, young and old, throughout the state and hear what their future goals are and what they already have accomplished.

In particular, this year was very meaningful to me due to a variety of things. Not only was I an outgoing board member as the MPhA-MPSA liaison and a 4th year student on rotation at MPhA, but also I was able to spend the weekend with my sister, who is also a pharmacist. This last aspect is special because although she has been a pharmacist in Minnesota for 7 years, it was her first time ever attending an MPhA Annual Meeting. Working hard to increase the attendance by even one person was important to me and shows how much effort needs to be put in to increasing the attendance by much, much more, but it can be done!

As we left the meeting, the best thing that could have happened, did happen….she stated she couldn’t wait for next year’s meeting and also is interested in joining the MTM Academy. In addition, she believed the meeting was revitalizing and it had inspired her to think outside the box throughout her daily routine, while practicing as an MTM pharmacist. This made me realize, one experience, such as the annual meeting or a pharmacy night, is all that it takes to make an active member for a lifetime, a person needs to be reached out just once to see what they can do and how MPhA is working for all of the pharmacists in the state of Minnesota.
Kandace Schuft

Friday, June 1, 2012

Amy Klobuchar Fundraiser

I had the opportunity this week to attend a unique event, a fundraiser for one of Minnesota’s Senator, Amy Klobuchar. The event was downtown Minneapolis at D’amico and I attended the fundraiser with Julie Johnson and Steve Simenson. I personally had never attended such an event, but it was really interesting and exciting to meet one of our senators and hear her speak about what she has accomplished and what she plans on accomplishing throughout the next year. We all got a chance to shake her hand, take a picture, and thank her for all of the hard work she has put forth in advocating for the profession of pharmacy. Currently, Senator Klobuchar is working on a drug shortage bill and shows she really listens and cares about the concerns pharmacists bring up in discussion.

Before attending the fundraiser, I had looked up some facts and read about Senator Klobuchar’s background. It is fascinating to learn about her and see how much she gives back to the state of Minnesota. Although my voting history may not follow her liking, I can definitely relate to her down to earth and Minnesota-nice personality. She seems to be able to relate to everyone, whether they are young or old living in rural Minnesota or in a suburb. She is always giving 100% effort to everything she believes in and really listens to the people of Minnesota.

In addition to attending the fundraiser, we continued to gather information and ideas for journal articles and submissions for September. We are also working to make the website more user friendly and easier to navigate, along with trying to increase the amount of people who visit the facebook page. I really enjoy all of the types of communication styles I have experienced throughout the last two weeks of rotations, whether it is via email or meeting face to face with members of the Ewald consulting team. I think I have discovered I really need to work with people, no matter where I end up in the future, the team concept to me is vital.


Kandace Schuft