This summer I had the opportunity to attend the 2018 TPA Conference & Expo as a P4 intern. Having actively participated in the American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) throughout my P1 to P3 years, I was already familiar with TPA but had not been able to go to the previous  conferences due to schedule conflicts.

I was told that the TPA annual conference is an important opportunity to network with other students from different colleges and active pharmacists, and I intended to make full use of it. While helping out at the registration desk, preparing exhibit booths, and scanning badges for CE credits, I interviewed more than 80 TPA members—ranging from emerging P2 students to retired pharmacists—to see why our members joined TPA.

With their membership offered at no cost to student pharmacists, many students told me they joined TPA to help with advocacy and legislative efforts. TPA student  directors shared their experience with implementing the Student Pharmacists Advocacy and Relations (SPARx) Program and educating the communities about the roles pharmacists play in daily life. Though we were educated under different curricula, it was great to see that we also worked for the same goal.

It was also great talking to both new practitioners and veteran pharmacists. Not only did I receive much-needed guidance and encouragement, but I also got to hear about experiences with diverse specialties of pharmacy practices. Many were employed by chain pharmacies, but I also met compounding pharmacists, independent community pharmacists, clinical pharmacists, and academic pharmacists including deans of other colleges across Texas. It was a humbling yet inspiring experience to hear the accounts of various practices.

More than 50 percent of TPA members said they joined “to advocate and support profession of pharmacy.” Despite different pharmaceutical backgrounds and specialties, many TPA members want to advance the profession of pharmacy and to be able to provide additional services to their patients.

I was once again reminded that we may vary in our pharmacy practice settings, but we are all pharmacists at the core. IPPE projects, back-to-back exams, and long nights—we all have been there before. Whether it is medication reconciliation in a rehabilitation hospital or medication counseling in the drive-through at a community pharmacy, we are all professionals taking care of patients. We are all in the same boat together, and Together Pharmacy Advances.

Nam completed a six-week rotation with the Texas Pharmacy Association during July and August of 2018.

The Student Advocacy and Relations (SPARx) Program was created over this past school year as TPA looked to address the needs of students. It’s creation and implementation was student-led, as student representatives from each of the pharmacy schools in Texas worked together to design the content that they thought would be most relevant for their peers. The goal was to “spark” a fire in students across the state and have them become engaged in advocating and building positive relationships that will strengthen the profession. To advocate means to speak up, plead the case of another, or to champion a cause. Advocacy is not just going to the state Capitol every other year. It is advocating every day for your profession with your patients in your community as well as with policy-makers.

The four modules in the SPARx Program are “Advocating in Your Community,” “Inter/& Intraprofessional Collaboration,” “Regulation,” and “Legislation.” Students complete each module by attending a workshop at their school, which is led by Student TPA leaders. The workshop consists of a student created presentation, and watching a video interview with a practicing pharmacist from Texas who shares their knowledge and insights on the topic. After the workshop, students then complete a mini-project and reflection, which helps them apply what they have learned.  Students who complete all the modules will be awarded a certificate.  This past school year, TPA implemented two of the modules “Advocating in Your Community” and “Inter/& Intraprofessional Collaboration” which received very positive reviews from students, faculty, and pharmacy leaders in the state. Moving forward, all four modules will be completed by students every year; two per semester.

As Student Chair of TPA-ASP, I am very proud of the work that the student TPA leaders across the state were able to accomplish by creating the SPARx Program. I was able to witness firsthand as students from different schools worked together to create it. This is one of the greatest strengths of the program, as it can be modified by students each year to remain relevant. It was very exciting to watch and participate. The lesson that it teaches is something that every pharmacy student needs because our profession more than ever needs strong advocates.

Hundreds of exams. Countless quizzes. Endless late nights and early mornings. Every pharmacy student has been there. We are hard workers and silent strategists. We take pride in understanding medications and their disease states, and we love our kinetics.

As a current fourth year student in pharmacy school, I feel as though I have been able to immerse myself within my profession. I have learned so much throughout this journey and I have waited for this moment for such a long time, to be in my final year. The excitement rolls in and reality begins to quickly set in. Within this territory of being so close to graduation, I am consistently being asked about my plans in regards to pharmacy practice. Regardless of what my response is, I already know that at least half of the individuals asking the questions will tell me that I am making the wrong decision. I understand that these types of sentiments are most likely commonplace regardless of the profession, but in the practice of pharmacy, we tend to take it a step further.

For those not familiar with the profession, pharmacy practice allows numerous opportunities in several different types of fields. Residencies, fellowships, community practice, pharmaceutical sales, consultant pharmacy, and independent pharmacy are all options, just to name a few. One of the main reasons why I chose to become a pharmacist is because I like having options, and I like knowing that regardless of what I choose to do, there is always opportunity to expand and learn about a new part of my profession.

Currently, depending upon where a pharmacist practices, some are unable to fully utilize their doctoral-level skills due to different laws across state lines. Again, as this may be true for several professions, with the profession of pharmacy, the difference in law is prominent. Numerous data is available indicating how beneficial pharmacists are when integrated within the healthcare team and the tremendous cost-saving healthcare outcomes we provide when working alongside other healthcare professionals. The laws are adapting and the profession continues to expand and develop.

Despite the laws that may currently tie our hands, I firmly believe that we as a profession are our biggest hindrance. We are segregated within our own lines of practice. We believe that what we are doing is the most important thing for the profession and have lost sight in what makes our profession so unique in the first place. Retail pharmacy practice is just as important as critical care pharmacy practice. Independent pharmacies are vital for our communities. Pharmacists are needed in field of industry for continued growth and development. All of these roles were established because they are needed.

We are there during medical rounds. We are part of the healthcare professional team. We save lives. We are there, but to some extent still invisible. We roll our eyes when someone asks if we actually have a doctorate degree, and we become frustrated when the medical resident ignores our input. We become frustrated when we have to convince everyone else of our value, so why do we do it to each other? I have worked alongside brilliant pharmacists in every aspect of the profession. I am in awe of how much opportunity and growth my profession allows, and I hope that my fellow colleagues see this as well.

When you choose to make a condescending statement about an area of practice that differs from yours, know that you made a decision, and that you chose against the profession. I know some people might be thinking, “Why such a bold statement?” Well, because I am tired, and I know that many of you are too. One area of practice is not greater than the other. We all work to contribute to health and wellness by providing exceptional patient care. When we lose sight of this vision and start repeating this sentiment of, “Mine is better than yours”, we are enabling and teaching the next generation of pharmacists to do the same, and are doing a great disservice to ourselves.

Many other healthcare professionals practice in different areas depending upon their interests. Although they may have different opinions, they are still working together as team and supporting each other. The urologist, neurologist, plastic surgeon, and even the “doc in a box” are on the same team. They are politically active by joining associations and staying vetted in their similar interests, together.

I recognize the importance of diversity and skill set within our profession, as do many of my colleagues. However, we should utilize this diversity to support each other instead of breaking each other down.

My hope is that one day when we student pharmacists transition into preceptors for the next generation of students, that we can teach this same philosophy and continue forward into growth, and onwards into positive change.

Yasmine Alhasan is a fourth-year student pharmacist at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, in Dallas, Texas, and is president of the TPA Student Board of Directors.