Before starting our elective rotation this summer at the Texas Pharmacy Association, our understanding of the organization was limited. After six weeks, we learned that TPA does much more than host continuing education and publish newsletters. TPA is the unified force that represents all pharmacists in Texas: community, hospital, ambulatory care, academia, and beyond. TPA staff work daily to elevate our profession and advance the practice of pharmacy for the good of our patients.

Our rotation began in between two of the largest events of the year. The Texas legislative session concluded just weeks before our first day, and the TPA team was already deep into preparing for the 2025 TPA Conference & Expo. We had the opportunity to sit in on conversations about newly passed legislation, some of which will alter the practice of pharmacy moving forward. We explored critical issues such as pharmacy reimbursement rates, the struggles of independent pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers’ (PBMs) impact in the state, and the possibility of the novel Food Is Medicine initiative being implemented in Texas. We left with a deeper understanding of real-world policies that will define the future of our profession.

Though we arrived just as conference stress was hitting all-time highs, the TPA staff welcomed us as part of the team and ensured we felt seen, heard, and useful. Working at the conference was an incredibly rewarding experience. We had the opportunity to network with pharmacists from across the state, engage with exhibitors showcasing innovative pharmacy services and technologies, and attend educational sessions on topics ranging from legislative advocacy to emerging trends in patient care. Assisting with conference logistics also gave us a behind-the-scenes look at how much planning and coordination is required to execute a large-scale professional event. Most importantly, it deepened our appreciation for the organization and the role it plays in advancing the profession, supporting pharmacists, and improving patient outcomes across Texas.

One of the major takeaways from our time at TPA is how essential advocacy is. As students, it’s easy to focus solely on exams, rotations, and CVs. But without people advocating for our profession, there may be no pharmacy jobs left to pursue. At any given time, TPA staff members are drafting proposals to secure grant funding to support innovative programs benefiting both patients and health care professionals. It was eye-opening to see how much thought, planning, and collaboration goes into developing these initiatives. We sat in on meetings with representatives from pharmaceutical and insurance companies to discuss potential partnerships that could elevate pharmacists’ roles in patient care. Advocacy ensures that the value of what we do is both recognized and protected for the present and the future.

As future health care leaders, or simply better-informed pharmacists, this experience has changed the way we view our role in pharmacy. We highly encourage fellow students to engage with TPA if you want to be a voice for Texas pharmacy, be part of an organization creating meaningful change, and set yourself apart as a student leader. The future of pharmacy depends on it.

Holden and Wang are P4 students at the Texas A&M University Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy.