When selecting my APPE rotation schedule, I wanted an elective that wasn’t clinically focused. Although I had been a member of the Texas Pharmacy Association (TPA) since my first year of pharmacy school, I wasn’t exactly what you’d call “active.” Hence, I chose the TPA elective to explore other parts of pharmacy.

Before the rotation even began, my preceptor, Sarah Nguyen, hit me with an unexpected challenge: reflecting on where I see myself in five years. Honestly, I panicked. Five years? I hadn’t even planned beyond next year! Right now, my main goal is to survive APPE rotations, pass the NAPLEX/MPJE, and earn my license. While the thought initially overwhelmed me, it pushed me to take a step back and think more intentionally about my future and the bigger picture of my pharmacy career.

Going into the rotation, I didn’t know much about TPA. Over time, I realized the important role it plays in supporting the profession. I had always thought of pharmacy as being split between retail and hospital settings. I never considered how advocacy affects the profession.

An impactful moment of my rotation was attending the Texas State Board of Pharmacy quarterly meeting on my second day. Observing TPA advocate for community pharmacists during discussions on rules and policy changes for sterile compounding regulations highlighted the importance of ensuring our voice is represented in decision-making processes.

Another interesting meeting we attended focused on community health workers (CHWs). It inspired me to see TPA explore ways to integrate pharmacy technicians as CHWs for improved access to care in their communities. These experiences made me realize the behind-the-scenes work required to create meaningful changes in pharmacy practice.

My favorite project was creating a member summary about the new Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. I like to think of it as my legacy at TPA. My preceptor and I poured our sweat and tears into that document. It took dozens of rounds of writing, editing, and perfecting before it was sent out to the membership. One day, you might see it framed on my wall!

These activities also allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and improve my communication skills. Whether it was one-on-one meetings with staff or speaking with pharmacists at the TPA board meeting, I gained confidence in my ability to engage in discussions about pharmacy-related topics.

TPA expanded my knowledge of legislative advocacy and gave me a new perspective on pharmacy as a profession. I now understand that pharmacy is not limited to clinical or community settings but includes a variety of roles that contribute to shaping the profession. For example, my exposure to health plans, state agencies, and the collaborative work done by associations like TPA showed me how much opportunity exists for growth in pharmacy.

I learned that change requires time, effort, and collaboration. Advocacy can be a long and challenging process, but it is essential for advancing the pharmacy profession and improving patient care.