Pharmacy school is an extremely challenging time that tests students’ mental fortitude daily. During our first week of orientation, we are overloaded with information detailing our next four years. A common theme discussed was pharmacy organizations and the potential impact students could have through them. At the time, I did not fully grasp the impact these organizations could have on our careers, nor the individual contributions we, as students, could make. My time on rotation at the Texas Pharmacy Association (TPA) has proven valuable for me as an aspiring pharmacist.

Although I have been a member of TPA since my first year of pharmacy school, I wasn’t actively involved initially. It wasn’t until my fourth year, when I had the opportunity to intern with TPA, that I gained a deeper understanding of the legislative processes and the profound impact these organizations have. Understanding their impact was an initial challenge for a clinical-minded student like myself. However, during my first week of rotation, I attended the Texas Pharmacy Congress, hosted by TPA, where I saw firsthand the influence of associations. This meeting brought together leaders from the nine Texas colleges of pharmacy, the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, the Texas Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and the Texas Federation of Drug Stores. With PBM reform as a central topic, the determination and passion for ensuring the sustainability of pharmacies was palpable. On my fifth week, I participated in TPA’s Fall Leadership Retreat, which provides a forum for any member to share their views at council meetings. The knowledge gained and the connections formed at these gatherings have been invaluable. This experience solidified my conviction about the power of professional organizations and the pivotal role students can play in shaping the future of pharmacy.

Under the guidance of my preceptor, Sarah Nguyen, I participated in various projects that expanded my skill set as a student pharmacist. I assisted in research and development of grant proposals that would mobilize pharmacy to tackle public health challenges in Texas. Our primary project sought to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. With COVID-19 on the rise, coupled with the alarming rate of unvaccinated individuals in Texas, TPA aims to provide pharmacists with practical tools to educate patients on the importance of vaccination and guidance for navigating the endless sea of misinformation. Social media has been a major source of misinformation, leading patients down a dangerous path of fear, hesitancy, and distrust. As pharmacists, it is our duty to be the cornerstone of our communities. I believe that if we are unable to stay up to date with the most current information, including false information that is spread throughout the community, we are failing our patients who need us most. Through my work I learned the importance of equipping pharmacists with the confidence and continuing education needed to improve health care.

These experiences, combined with witnessing TPA’s tireless efforts to bridge gaps between different pharmacy practice areas, strengthened my belief in the importance of active engagement in professional organizations. As a fourth-year student, I urge my peers to get involved in public policy and organizations like TPA because together, we can advance the practice of pharmacy. Gig ‘Em!

Carrejo completed a six-week rotation with the Texas Pharmacy Association during the fall of 2024.