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