When I first stepped into this position, I was nervous. Advocacy and leadership at this level felt big, and unlike any role I've had before. But what followed was a year of growth and purpose. During the House of Delegates session at 2025 TPA Conference and Expo, my Chair-Elect and I presented our first two resolutions on behalf of student pharmacists across Texas. Rather than being immediately adopted, our proposals were met with thoughtful questions and constructive dialogue. In that moment, I realized the true weight of advocacy: the words we choose matter, preparation matters, and being ready to defend our positions is essential when representing our profession.

Instead of feeling discouraged, we leaned in. We listened more closely during TPA committee meetings and conversations, and we invited guest speakers to teach our student academy how to write, refine, and defend resolutions. We then challenged each pharmacy campus in Texas to develop its own resolution and present it during a mock House of Delegates session. This initiative is hoping to bring student pharmacists together across the state, giving them a platform to share ideas, build confidence, and prepare to advocate for meaningful change. It is also setting the stage for a stronger, more unified return to the House of Delegates in 2026.

What began as uncertainty transformed into inspiration. I've seen firsthand how many students are eager to be involved in advocacy and shape the future of pharmacy, and that sometimes they just need an invitation and the right platform to do so.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is this: impact doesn’t always start with confidence; it starts with showing up. When we create space for others to speak, listen with intention, and invest in preparation, we empower voices that might otherwise go unheard. Advocacy is not reserved for a select few; it belongs to all of us. And when we choose to step forward, even nervously, we realize that each of us has the ability to influence our profession and make a lasting difference.

This is especially true in El Paso, a medically underserved region surrounded by rural communities. Federal legislation like the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act (ECAPS, HR 3164/S 2426) has the potential to significantly improve access to care for our community in combination with state-level reform. ECAPS would allow pharmacists to be reimbursed for test-to-treat services under Medicare Part B, but state reform is also needed to allow pharmacists to perform these services in Texas.

Recognizing the impact of this legislation motivated me to reach out to Congresswoman Veronica Escobar’s (D-El Paso) district office to begin a conversation about how federal policy shapes the services patients in our community can receive.

Overcoming Geographic Barriers

That motivation was strengthened by another challenge we face as a region and a school. When students participate in Texas Pharmacy Day at the Capitol, the distance between El Paso and Austin poses a significant barrier, and travelling to Washington, DC, poses an even bigger challenge. The travel is costly, time consuming, and not feasible for many students.

I wanted to show that advocacy does not have to be limited to meetings at the Capitol. There are meaningful opportunities for advocacy right here within our own communities, and we can invite our policymakers into the spaces where our patients actually receive care.

Developing Relationships

To begin that process, I first submitted a meeting request through the contact form on the Congresswoman’s website and followed up with a phone call to her local office two weeks later. I stated that I was a constituent and referenced ECAPS when requesting the meeting, but emphasized that our focus was on addressing patient access.

I invited the district staff to visit a local pharmacy so they could observe these issues in real time, but due to scheduling conflicts our first meeting took place in the district office in El Paso. We discussed the connection between scope of practice and federal reimbursement, pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform, and how federal legislation plays a significant role in sustaining access to care in Texas.

At the end of that meeting, I re-invited the district staff to visit a local pharmacy to tie our conversations back to patient care. They agreed, and with TPA’s support I connected with Walgreens and scheduled the tour. Observing real workflow, staffing demands, and patient interactions offered the district representatives a clearer picture on why these policies are essential for advancing patient care.

By the end of the tour, the district representatives expressed interest in visiting The University of Texas at El Paso School of Pharmacy to continue learning from students about our priorities. It was encouraging to see how quickly a local relationship could develop once the office understood the needs of our patients and the importance of the student voice.

As student pharmacists, we represent the next generation of the profession, and the decisions being made today will shape the health care system in which we practice for the rest of our careers. Our representatives want to hear from us for that exact reason: we represent the future of the workforce.

Take Small Steps and Get Involved

For students who feel unsure about getting involved, I encourage you to begin with a small step. The most important thing you can do is stay informed about the issues shaping our profession and take time to understand how the policy process works. From there, everything else feels much more approachable.

Advocacy does not require you to be an expert, it only requires passion and a willingness to learn. When we take advantage of the constituent connection and bring advocacy into our own communities, we help shape policy that directly impacts our patients and strengthens the future of pharmacy in Texas.

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.

Throughout pharmacy school, I have served as a member of TPA-ASP’s Membership Committee, twice as Membership Chair and as Scholarship Chair. This involvement has allowed me to flourish as a student pharmacist by developing advocacy skills and expanding my professional network through events such as the TPA Conference and Expo, Pharmacy Day at the Capitol, and the Bexar County Pharmacy Association’s recent PharmPAC fundraising dinner.
TPA provides future and current pharmacists with the tools and knowledge to stay informed about advocacy topics and policies affecting the pharmacy profession. It offers the unique opportunity to speak directly with legislators, advocate for the future of pharmacy, and experience the process that shapes TPA policies. Additionally, it reinforced the importance of building a strong network. Through TPA, I have connected with student pharmacists across Texas and developed great friendships.

I encourage other students to join TPA and participate in campus and statewide initiatives. The connections you can make, the skills you will develop, and the awareness you will gain about issues impacting the pharmacy profession are invaluable. Whether planning an event, advocating with legislators, or networking with practitioners and peers, each experience prepares you to become a more informed and effective future pharmacist.

One of the most meaningful moments I experienced through TPA-ASP occurred at the 2024 TPA Conference and Expo, where I met Larry and Kathy McClaugherty. They created a Texas Pharmacy Foundation scholarship in honor of their late son, Neal, who attended the Children’s Association for Maximum Potential (CAMP) Camp. I felt an immediate connection with the McClaughertys, as I have been volunteering at CAMP since 2023. Located in Center Point, Texas, CAMP serves children and adults with various disabilities and behavioral challenges. Their programs include summer camp programs, Family Weekend Retreats, Teen and Adult Day Adventures, and Parent’s Night Out events. As a student pharmacist, I gain invaluable hands-on experience at CAMP through aiding in the medication check-in process and dispensing medications to campers. I highly encourage student pharmacists to volunteer with CAMP during their academic journey or as licensed pharmacists.

My time with TPA-ASP has laid a strong foundation. The confidence and leadership skills I have gained will serve me well as a future pharmacist. TPA has enriched my pharmacy school experience and has helped to shape the pharmacist I aspire to become.

Haase will be honored as TPA’s 2025 Distinguished Student Pharmacist during the Awards Dinner on July 19 at the 2025 TPA Conference & Expo.

In March, I had the incredible opportunity to attend Texas Pharmacy Day at the Capitol and participate in legislative advocacy alongside practicing pharmacists, pharmacy owners, fellow student pharmacists, and other advocates in the field.

One of the most impactful parts of the day was meeting directly with lawmakers and their staffers. I met with Sen. César Blanco, Rep. Claudia Ordaz, and Rep. Eddie Morales to discuss critical issues facing the pharmacy profession.

Our primary focus was on the dangers posed by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to independent pharmacies. We stood alongside independent pharmacy owners to highlight the challenges of pharmacies to stay open under the current PBM practices, ultimately reducing access to care in our communities. Additionally, we advocated for expanded vaccination access through the permanent implementation of the PREP act, highlighting the vital role of pharmacists in public health.

One of the biggest lessons I took away from this experience is that lawmakers want to hear from us—especially as students. Multiple legislators told us they were glad to see students advocating because we represent the future.

Advocacy is crucial for student pharmacists because the policies passed today will shape our careers for years to come. Engaging in advocacy early allows us to build relationships with legislators, stay informed on the issues affecting our profession, and help shape the future of pharmacy. It allows us to be a united voice in our field, and to stand together to push for changes that will benefit patients, pharmacists, and the health care system as a whole.

For students hesitant to get involved, my advice is simple: just start somewhere. You do not have to immediately start meeting with legislators. Begin by educating yourself on current pharmacy policies and how the legislative process works. Getting involved with state associations, such as the Texas Pharmacy Association, will give you access to resources, advocacy training, and opportunities to engage in policy. Pharmacy advocacy is not just for practicing professionals; it is for everyone.

Texas Pharmacy Day at the Capitol showed me that as students, we have the power to influence change. Our voices matter, and when we come together to advocate for our profession, we can make a real difference.

Lucore is a P2 student pharmacist at The University of Texas at El Paso School of Pharmacy.

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.

How TPA Crafted My Leadership Foundation

As a first-year student pharmacist, I thought leadership was placed on the individual. Appointments and elections seemed to be the only path to being a leader, so I focused heavily on getting titles, like serving as my campus’ Student Director (a liaison-type role within the TPA Academy of Student Pharmacists).

My time that year taught me that leadership was much deeper than a title and doing the bare minimum asked of the role. It was late-night planning sessions, making sure my people had the resources they needed, and consistently reflecting on how things could improve. It was a profound sense of caring for the Academy and for TPA at my campus—a deep pride that convinced me to continue serving throughout school.

As I now transition into new practitioner status, I fondly look back on my time as Chair of the Academy of Student Pharmacists and as a student representative on three Association councils and the TPA Board of Directors. By participating in these opportunities, I gained a better understanding of how the nuances of major pharmacy issues can impact each sector of the profession. My leadership foundation was strengthened under TPA’s influence.

How TPA Elevates Pharmacy Leadership

My leadership story with TPA is not unique. Many lifelong leaders within TPA inspire students to step up and serve. There are numerous opportunities to give back within our Association. These opportunities with TPA have taught me and many others the basics of leadership—things like calling meetings, developing agendas, and project management. It has also taught the more “executive-level” leadership skills like effective communication, delegation, and the emotional intelligence to meet your team where they need you.

One of the ways TPA did this was through the inaugural Student Leadership Institute event in April. This innovative day-long institute combined leadership with advocacy so that student participants could effectively elevate the profession once back at their campuses. More than 60 students learned high-level skills from TPA CEO Debbie Garza and Executive Coach Debbie Platts.

We walked away inspired and better equipped to communicate prominent pharmacy issues to our peers and legislators. Most importantly, we left feeling empowered to inspire others to positive action. This is the power that TPA offers to its members.

We are all leaders, and TPA embraces that fact for us all.

At the event, TPA members convened to discuss pertinent issues facing the profession and to chart the course for future initiatives. The event comprised meetings of TPA’s standing councils, where members actively contributed to discussions on financial affairs, public policy, association affairs, and more. These sessions were instrumental in fostering collaboration, sharing ideas, and shaping the direction of TPA’s efforts to advance pharmacy practice.

I was also privileged to attend a presentation by my preceptor, TPA CEO Debbie Garza, at the Texas A&M University Rangel School of Pharmacy. Her passionate endorsement of TPA membership struck a chord with me as she highlighted how membership enables pharmacists and students to advocate for the profession, gain access to invaluable resources, and build connections with peers and mentors. The dedication to empowering future pharmacists through TPA membership was evident in her words, leaving a lasting impression on me. As she spoke about the importance of professional engagement, I felt a renewed sense of purpose in my journey toward becoming a pharmacist. Her insights reinforced my belief in the transformative power of collective action and collaboration within the pharmacy community.

Reflecting on these experiences, I realize the immense responsibility we, as future pharmacists, hold in shaping the future of our profession. These events, along with my overall experience at TPA, provided me with the knowledge and the motivation to actively engage in advocacy efforts and drive positive change in pharmacy practice. I am committed to leveraging my voice and expertise to advocate for pharmacy issues and contribute to the advancement of our profession, understanding that active involvement in professional organizations like TPA is essential. By uniting our voices and working collaboratively, pharmacists can influence policy decisions, address health disparities, and elevate the standard of patient care statewide.

This rotation provided me with valuable insights into the current landscape of pharmacy practice. Understanding the challenges, opportunities, and ongoing initiatives in the profession is crucial for every aspiring pharmacist. It equips us with the knowledge and perspective needed to navigate the complexities of the health care system and advocate effectively for our patients and profession. It empowers us to stay informed, engaged, and proactive in shaping the future of our profession. Let us seize this opportunity to learn, grow, and advocate for a brighter future for pharmacy practice!

Huerta completed a six-week rotation with the Texas Pharmacy Association during the spring of 2024.

Last fall, I was able to complete a six-week elective rotation at TPA. My favorite part of this rotation was witnessing firsthand the hard work that the TPA staff does in the background, allowing the Association to continue to thrive. My experience during this rotation allowed me to learn more about the many benefits offered to members, such as access to a free continuing education course monthly.

During this unique experience, I was made aware of various issues pertinent to the pharmacy profession. One of the hot topics at the time was the RSV vaccine that had been released last summer. I learned that pharmacy technicians were not allowed to administer the newly released vaccine and that TPA was looking at ways to have this addressed legislatively at the state level.

During my time at TPA, I was able to attend a Texas Pharmacy Foundation Board meeting and learn how the Foundation is working to advance the profession of pharmacy through research and scholarships. I also had the opportunity to attend the Women in Government Leadership and Innovation Summit in San Antonio, at which my preceptor, TPA CEO Debbie Garza, spoke as a panelist. It was a great learning opportunity as I was able to engage with people not just from across the state but also with leaders from across the country. These events provided further insight into TPA’s efforts to advance the practice of pharmacy.

My rotation further reinforced the importance of being involved as a student. I have the pleasure of serving on the Capital Area Pharmacy Association Board of Directors. My involvement in our local association, in addition to being an active member of TPA, has allowed me to develop a valuable network of pharmacists working across a variety of disciplines. It has been a privilege to be active in both organizations, which have given me the chance to learn and to take on a leadership opportunity. I encourage my fellow Texas student pharmacists to get involved not only in TPA but also in your local association. Our future depends on your participation!

Aguirre completed a six-week rotation with the Texas Pharmacy Association during the fall of 2023.

Leadership Opportunities Abound

Throughout my pharmacy school career, I always knew what TPA was. I knew it as the pharmacy organization that just goes to the Capitol every other year and represents community pharmacists. However, I soon learned that TPA does so much more for Texas pharmacy that student pharmacists do not realize. TPA represents not only community pharmacists but ALL Texas pharmacists. As a student, they represent you, your pharmacy faculty, your preceptor, and anyone involved with Texas pharmacy. TPA is the VOICE of Texas pharmacy that is elevating the profession and advancing our practice to expand our roles to care for our patients.

I learned as a student pharmacist that you have the opportunity to hold a leadership position(s) not only in the TPA Academy of Student Pharmacists (ASP) but throughout the Association. For example, you could be a member of TPA’s Association Affairs Council or serve on the Texas Pharmacy Foundation Board of Trustees. These positions can enrich your pharmacy school experience and directly translate to your future pharmacy career.

I am grateful to have been a part of a recruitment campaign that will make a lasting impact on student pharmacists. This project educated me that TPA does so much for Texas pharmacy and has inspired me to advocate for our profession. Also, witnessing the operations of a pharmacy association and the leadership displayed by my preceptor and TPA CEO, Debbie Garza, has shown me the responsibilities required that I plan on carrying into my future pharmacy career as a U.S. Navy officer and pharmacist.

I highly encourage all students to get involved with TPA! The networking and knowledge I gained from my rotation are invaluable. If you want to be the voice of Texas pharmacy, be part of an organization making a meaningful impact on the profession, and make yourself a well-rounded student pharmacist, then join TPA!
     –Jose Perez

There’s So Much More to Pharmacy

My six weeks at TPA were one of the most eye-opening and informative experiences of my time in pharmacy school. I chose this rotation to experience a different side of pharmacy, something away from the bustle of customers and workflows. I knew that this would be unlike any other pharmacy setting in the state, yet knew almost nothing about TPA.

I had thought that TPA was a lobbying organization for pharmacy, which I now realize was like saying the Pacific Ocean is a body of water. My prior assumptions about this organization changed soon after starting, as I saw just how much time and effort beyond fundraising goes into advocating for pharmacy. Even right after the biennial legislative session, the office was abuzz with work for TPA’s Fall Leadership Retreat, planning for legislative interim charges, and membership recruitment.

This rotation showed me that there is so much more to pharmacy than counting to 30, giving shots, and selling medications to customers. Funny enough, I never thought about how pharmacies get paid for filling prescriptions, why independent pharmacies were becoming harder to sustain, and how lasting pharmacy legislation would be implemented or advocated for. I now understand what terms like PBM, vertical integration, and DIR mean, and just how important they are to the future of pharmacy practice. Now that I’ve seen firsthand the hard work that TPA and its members put into pharmacy advocacy and advancement, my technical knowledge on the state of modern pharmacy has soared.

My favorite thing about this rotation was meeting so many amazing people. TPA’s staff is truly a joy to work with and really made me feel seen, welcome, and useful during my rotation. My attendance at events also helped me to network with so many great pharmacists and reconnect with old preceptors and friends who were in practice.

This rotation showed me just how important advocacy is for our profession. As a student, all I cared about was passing my classes and making my resume look good. But if no one is advocating for why our jobs are important, there will be no pharmacy jobs to enter into after graduation. Advocacy is one of the best ways to contribute to and enrich this profession that I love.
     –Jacob Vera

Perez and Vera each completed a six-week rotation with the Texas Pharmacy Association during the late summer of 2023.

Throughout my time in pharmacy school, I sought leadership opportunities in multiple organizations, hosting legislative panels for students so that we could all learn about and discuss issues affecting health care law, trends, and the impact of those issues on patient care and the pharmacy profession. However, during my third year of pharmacy school, COVID-19 turned our world upside down and my involvement in policy fell by the wayside.

In my final year as a student pharmacist, I was determined to reignite my drive for advocacy and saw a rotation with TPA as my ticket back. I wanted to learn how TPA serves its members and advocates for the profession of pharmacy in Texas. Each day on rotation revealed more surprises than the previous, as I discovered more about the inner workings of pharmacy advocacy than I ever could have imagined. I soon realized that in order to fully immerse yourself in advocacy, you have to be willing to engage in uncomfortable conversations to prove your value as a pharmacist in the larger health care system.

While on rotation, I had the opportunity to participate in several meetings with TPA’s various councils and committees. Most memorable was witnessing the Nominating Committee as they interviewed and slated nominees for the Board of Directors. This meeting gave me a comprehensive understanding of the roles and responsibilities of each position on the board, and the interviews showed me how each member strives to enhance the profession of pharmacy in their own way. The caliber of nominees left me inspired and exhilarated about the Association’s future leadership.

Because I began my rotation in the midst of the 88th Texas Legislature, I also had the privilege of attending multiple legislative committee hearings at the state Capitol where TPA members testified in support of our priority bills. I watched how my preceptor, TPA CEO, Debbie Garza, worked with our pharmacist members and lobbyists to advance legislation that would benefit our profession and patients. I saw firsthand how the team spent countless hours building relationships with legislators to ensure that priority bills were heard and progressed this session.

All of the hard work done by the TPA staff, Board of Directors, and lobbyists would not be possible without a strong membership. Unfortunately, our priorities face strong opposition, especially from physician groups. With our voice overshadowed by physicians who are wary of any expansions to our scope of practice, involvement by pharmacists and student pharmacists is more important now than ever to highlight our value and demonstrate our impact on patient outcomes. We must come together as one unit, no matter our differences, to overcome our opposition and forge the future of pharmacy.

I am sad that my rotation with TPA has come to an end, but my passion to advocate for my profession will not. I am forever grateful for my rotation with TPA and the unique individuals with whom I had the pleasure of working.

The question I keep asking myself is, “What’s next after graduation?” I am sure many of my fellow student pharmacists wonder this as well. No matter how worried you are about finding a job, paying off your loans, or the myriad things we must take care of as new practitioners, you have to stay active in your local and state pharmacy associations—whether it’s simply paying your membership dues until you find the time to volunteer, getting involved by serving on one of TPA’s councils, or some day running for the Board of Directors. We have to keep fighting for our profession because advocacy is not temporary, it is lifelong.

I had the opportunity to participate in Texas Pharmacy Day at the Capitol on February 28. The event was an incredible experience, providing me the chance to advocate for policies including expanded pharmacist immunization authority with state legislators.

House Bill 1105 by Rep. Four Price and Senate Bill 749 by Sen. Pete Flores aim to expand access to vaccines by authorizing pharmacists to order and administer CDC-recommended vaccines to children 3 years of age and older, with the consent of their parent or legal guardian, and to delegate vaccine administration to a certified pharmacy technician. I believe this legislation will support higher vaccination rates since pharmacies are generally accessible to the public and often have extended hours of operation. Such increased access to vaccines can help limit the spread of preventable diseases.

One of the highlights of Pharmacy Day at the Capitol was the opportunity to meet with our legislators. We spoke to them about the importance of expanding access to vaccines and how pharmacists can play a crucial role in achieving that goal. Hearing and sharing different perspectives and experiences with my pharmacy colleagues empowered me to voice the significance of pharmacists.

In addition to meeting with legislators, the legislative briefing afforded students the opportunity to learn and to gain a deeper understanding of the issues affecting our profession. Overall, the presentation provided valuable skills that we were able to use when meeting with our legislators. It helped us to feel more confident in our ability to present our ideas effectively and to build relationships with legislators that will be beneficial in the future.

We learned about the importance of being concise and clear in our messaging. We were taught to identify the key points we wanted to make and to frame them in a way that would be easy for legislators to understand. We also learned about the importance of using data and statistics to support our arguments and how to present them in a way that would be compelling.

The presentation also covered how to build relationships with legislators and their staff. We were encouraged to be respectful, polite, and to listen actively to their concerns. We were taught to encourage discussion and to use our conversations as opportunities to educate legislators and their staff about the important role of pharmacists.

Pharmacy Day at the Capitol was an important event for us as student pharmacists, and it highlighted the critical role that pharmacists play in the health care system. We were able to advocate for the needs of our profession, learn from experts in the field, and build valuable relationships with legislators and other student pharmacists.

Attending the event was an incredibly empowering experience that has left a lasting impression on me. It has strengthened my resolve to advocate for the needs of my profession and has inspired me to continue to push for change in the future. Witnessing the power of collective action and seeing the impact that our voices can have on health care policy has made me want to get more involved and make a difference in my community and beyond.

The experience has inspired me to continue advocating for the needs of our profession, both now and in the future. It has shown me the power that comes from speaking up and using our voices to effect change, and it has given me the skills and confidence to continue doing so as TPA-ASP Policy Chair next academic year.

Trinh is a P2 student at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy and serves as Policy Committee Chair-Elect for the TPA Academy of Student Pharmacists.

That’s what the Texas Pharmacy Association did for me.

TPA filled so many of the little voids that were unavoidable during the height of the pandemic. When I couldn’t complete in-person service learning hours, TPA offered educational webinars on fighting vaccine hesitancy and immunization certification. The Association’s continued advocacy allowed qualified pharmacy personnel, including pharmacist interns, to administer COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics, increasing patient access.

Last but certainly not least, the TPA Academy of Student Pharmacists (TPA-ASP) allowed me to make genuine connections with students and pharmacy mentors across the state (I learned there’s a lot of kindness one Zoom link away). During a time when all pharmacy associations suffered in membership recruitment and retention, TPA staff and TPA-ASP leadership did their best to ensure student activities remained as normal as safely possible.

Still, the impact of virtual learning and the immense response to the pandemic and subsequent mass vaccination efforts asked of student pharmacists left its mark. To put it plainly, many student pharmacists were in survival mode the last two years. I will never forget clocking out of a shift at my hospital, sitting for a pharmaceutics exam, and then immediately clocking back in. Or the classmate who worked two intern jobs in-between Zoom classes to support their family. Or the kindness of TPA and the Texas Pharmacy Foundation as they supported travel and academic scholarships so that numerous student pharmacists could experience their first in-person TPA Conference & Expo in 2022.

These are the stories that shaped the beginning of our pharmacy careers. As TPA-ASP returns to hosting full programming this year, it is vital that our leadership hears, respects, and understands these stories in order to look toward our Academy’s future.

This is the inspiration behind our student leadership’s goal to visit every pharmacy campus before the 2023 TPA Conference & Expo. After experiencing the early parts of pharmacy school on videoconferencing, it was important to me and TPA-ASP Chair Dylan McNutt that we hear these stories and needs directly from our TPA-ASP members.

It has been so rewarding to meet student pharmacists “irl” (in real life) and understand first-hand how TPA works at their campus. It has been a personal reassurance to learn how, like me, many other student pharmacists also felt isolated and unheard during quarantine, yet it brings me immense pride that many of these students also found refuge in TPA and partnering organizations. From an ice cream reward program for active TPA membership at The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy to revitalizing an in-person Patient Counseling Competition at the Texas Southern University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, I am in awe of the resiliency of Texas student pharmacists who are making the most out of their academic experience.

Dylan and I have already visited three Texas pharmacy schools with plans to visit the remaining programs by the end of April. Each chapter visit includes the opportunity for members to offer feedback on membership needs and Academy operations. If you would like to provide additional ideas or feedback to the Academy, please email dylanmcnutt@my.unthsc.edu or haleymckeefer@my.unthsc.edu. We also welcome rolling applications to our Academy’s standing committees for those interested in serving in a state leadership role.

When I realized right before starting my P4 year that there was an entire state association dedicated to pharmacy and that it was offered as an elective rotation, I knew it was going to be great experience and something very different than my other rotations.

During the first couple weeks of my TPA rotation I dove right into helping with the 2022 TPA Conference and Expo. After long hours in the office helping the TPA staff organize everything and put all the little details together, it was truly amazing seeing the whole conference come together in mid-July at the Hyatt Regency in Austin.

Seeing pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians come together from Texas (or even out of state) to show support for the pharmacy profession was really awesome, and it made me love pharmacy a little more than I already did.

In addition to the Conference and Expo, I was invited to sit in on board meetings and legislative hearings with my preceptor, TPA CEO Debbie Garza. That’s when it really sunk in that I had chosen a very informative elective. Getting to see behind the scenes in pharmacy was really eye opening and made me realize the amount of work that we don’t see happening in our pharmacy world when we are behind the counters. Being so accustomed to science-based courses, I didn’t think much about the government affairs side of pharmacy. Now I realize how important it is to this profession.

This rotation was both rewarding and challenging at the same time. Getting exposure to different pharmacy settings was my goal for my P4 rotations. This rotation gave me the exposure I was looking for, and more! I walked away from this rotation having gained so much knowledge about what the Texas Pharmacy Association does and what it stands for.

The experiences I had were so unique, and getting to work alongside Debbie was such a privilege. One of the main things that she talks about that has stuck with me is the need for pharmacists to unify as one and show up for the pharmacy profession. TPA sheds light on current events that happen behind the scenes in pharmacy, and there’s no better way to unify everyone and receive relevant news that applies to our profession than to be involved with the Association.

Kobeissi completed a six-week rotation with the Texas Pharmacy Association during the summer of 2022.

Completing a P4 elective rotation at TPA opened my eyes to the inner workings of pharmacy advocacy that I had never considered. I never knew much about what the countless pharmacy and medical organizations and associations did until I worked with my preceptor, Debbie Garza, at TPA. During the six-week rotation, I was able to attend influential events such as TPA’s annual Conference and Expo, the Texas State Board of Pharmacy’s (TSBP) quarterly meeting, a Texas Pharmacy Congress meeting, a legislative interim hearing on healthcare reform at the Capitol, and more.

During the COVID-19 pandemic we had to experience school virtually, which made being the TPA-ASP Director extremely difficult. Students seemed apathetic about joining any organization, let alone attending online classes. Despite efforts to inform students of the ever-increasing need for advocacy for our profession, students still seemed unconcerned.

Not until connecting with Dr. Frank North, our law professor, were we able to encourage more involvement in professional associations and persuade students to gain some awareness of legislation and regulation. Not only did an incredible number of students join TPA, Texas A&M had the highest P1 TPA membership enrollment out of all Texas pharmacy schools for 2021–2022!

Although the lack of student engagement was disheartening at times, it was apparent to me at the 2022 TPA Conference and Expo that professional engagement in our state is strong. Seeing the passion for our profession and the sheer number of pharmacists actively engaged to advance our future was uplifting. Regardless of your background or practice setting, at the conference everyone was welcomed. This gives me great hope for the collective voice and unity pharmacy can one day obtain.

The more involved I became, the more I saw how important TPA truly is. I saw how much time, research, and work goes into TPA behind the scenes. TPA’s unwavering dedication to advocating and advancing the profession for every pharmacist has been inspirational.

How do we get provider status? How do we fight PBMs? How do we stay informed on updated laws or rules that are not specific to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, but still require changes in practice? How do we make permanent the expanded vaccination authority after the federal PREP Act expires? How do we obtain test and treat allowances?

The answer is by having a united voice in pharmacy. What better example is there for having a united voice in pharmacy advocacy than TPA? We need to show our knowledge and worth, and we need our voices united, so we will be valued in the health care system and be able provide more accessible and affordable care to patients.

After interning with TPA, I am more motivated than ever to continue advocating for our profession. Having already volunteered for a two-year position on TPA’s Public Policy and Association Affairs Councils, I will continue working toward enhancing patient care and promoting our profession.

De La Fuente completed a six-week rotation with the Texas Pharmacy Association during July-August of 2022.

Like many of us, I had little to no regard for the importance of advocating for my profession during pharmacy school. However, I took advantage of the unique opportunity to do a fourth-year rotation at the Texas Pharmacy Association in an effort to learn something new and experience something out of my comfort zone. Ignorance may have been bliss, but watching TPA lead the efforts to unite and empower everyone in pharmacy, regardless of their practice setting, ignited a newfound passion for advocacy.

Right off the bat, I was immersed in all things TPA. I had the privilege of starting my rotation by sitting at the table as TPA’s Nominating Committee interviewed nominees for the Board of Directors. It was a great way to understand the roles and responsibilities of each position while learning from a group of passionate pharmacy role models.

Throughout the remainder of my rotation, I had the chance to experience the many aspects of TPA. From sitting in on various TPA meetings as well as a Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) Informal Conference with TPA’s Professional Recovery Network, I had the chance to observe TPA as the exclusive association leading the grassroots movement to drive our profession forward.

In addition, I was afforded the opportunity to sit in on multiple meetings with the Texas Department of State Health Services, where TPA was the first to receive the latest information on the rapidly changing COVID-19 guidelines and recommendations implemented in pharmacies across the state. Lastly, I had the chance to attend a TSBP meeting and watch as TPA’s CEO, Debbie Garza, led the way with testimony in favor of initiatives that would later be proposed rules regarding non-sterile compounding and patient counseling.

Despite all the wonderful efforts TPA is making, the Association’s greatest strength is its members’ presence. Unfortunately, the numbers do not accurately reflect our profession’s strength. With our profession evolving and the pandemic highlighting our value, pharmacy’s visibility and involvement are now more paramount than ever.

Of course, as pharmacists, we are the drug experts. Yet, the countless images depicting pharmacists as behind-the-counter pill counters do not accurately represent our profession’s expanding scope of practice. Despite our individual pursuits of different avenues within pharmacy, we all must unite to move our profession forward and overcome the outdated depiction of a pharmacist.

While my six-week rotation with TPA has come to an end, my efforts to stay involved and move our profession forward have not. My TPA rotation challenged me, pushed me out of my comfort zone, and showed me so many things I didn’t even know I did not know! I am so grateful I had the opportunity to meet the incredible team dispensing the prescription for change, and I am looking forward to applying everything I learned at TPA to my role as a pharmacist.

Chebat completed a six-week rotation with the Texas Pharmacy Association during the spring of 2022.

The importance of being involved in a state pharmacy association cannot be emphasized enough! Associations like TPA directly advocate on behalf of pharmacists in their respective states. With that support, we can achieve greater progress for our profession and pharmacists can have greater roles and responsibilities in shaping the healthcare field.

I have witnessed firsthand how being involved in TPA can promote beneficial change in the pharmacy profession in Texas. As a student pharmacist member of the Public Policy Council, I have contributed my thoughts and ideas about several pieces of legislation that directly affected pharmacists in Texas. My thoughts were well-received among TPA council members, especially since I am one of the few student pharmacists involved in the meetings. For the past three years, I have also been highly involved with the events at TPA’s annual Conference and Expo.

The lack of student pharmacist involvement in TPA councils represents a missed opportunity. I have not seen enough TPA involvement among my fellow Texas pharmacy students, especially in their first years of pharmacy school. TPA has allowed me to network with several student pharmacists and pharmacists statewide and to become more involved in the Association’s events. If not for TPA, I would not have been as involved in helping shape the future of our profession.

All students can still become more involved in TPA by networking with other members statewide, attending conferences, workshops, education and CE sessions, and other events, and being more involved in councils and committees as well as student leadership positions. Members can also follow new developments in pharmacy through TPA’s weekly e-mail newsletter and quarterly magazine. P4 students can and should continue to be involved after graduation as pharmacist members of TPA with the same benefits that students enjoy.

In short, TPA has allowed me to become a more compassionate pharmacist and to advocate on behalf of patients and our profession in Texas. Students and recent graduates who are not involved with TPA should join in order to play a more pivotal role in making sure that together pharmacy advances in Texas!

Famili is a P4 student pharmacist at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy.

Despite the strain that the pandemic placed on healthcare professionals in Texas, pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians have once again proven their worth as vital members of the healthcare community. In fact, COVID-19 may have been the greatest opportunity in decades to advance and secure the future of our profession.

As an older, non-traditional pharmacy student with a degree in agricultural economics, my perspective of pharmacy has constantly evolved since I began pharmacy school in 2019. After losing my mother to cancer in 2017, I began to look for a career beyond my family’s small business that would allow me to have the impact that my mother’s oncologist and oncology pharmacist had on my family.

My brother Cody and I were both accepted into the Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy at the University of Texas at Tyler in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Since that time, we have learned that the profession is dealing with significant change.

From pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform, community pharmacy workload requirements, the increasing need for pharmacy residency experience in order to provide clinical care at an institutional setting, the imbalance between new graduates and new pharmacy job creation, and the growing student debt load of the average pharmacy graduate ($175,000), our profession is faced with obstacles that are unique and require innovation to solve.

COVID-19 provided our profession with a platform to shine and a mechanism by which we can address the obstacles standing in our way. By taking the lead on immunization, pharmacists were able to showcase their worth each day by serving their communities and fellow Texans.

In my home of Smith County, student pharmacists from our college were able to volunteer for shifts with faculty preceptors to administer vaccines via drive-in vaccination hubs, administering more than 1,000 vaccines each day at our local fairground facility and convention center complex. Community pharmacies like Brookshire Grocery Company also dedicated multipurpose facilities with lots of space to administer vaccines to hundreds of Texans per day. Finally, institutions like Christus Trinity Mother Frances offered vaccinations to both healthcare staff and their families.

COVID-19 gave the Texas Pharmacy Association (TPA) even more bargaining power to tackle PBM reform in the Texas Legislature last spring, addressing and mitigating one of our obstacles for the future of the profession. As a student pharmacist, this made me beam with pride knowing that those that have gone before me are sacrificing their time and lending their expertise to make a better future for my me and my brother as pharmacists.

Overall, COVID-19 has given me a greater appreciation of pharmacy and the adaptability of our institutions to continue to produce the most accessible and versatile healthcare professionals. With the nation now dealing with another variant (Omicron) and COVID-19 booster vaccines available to eligible patients, our profession continues to demonstrate its worth and resilience to fellow Texans.

Of the seven core values of my college of pharmacy, optimism is my favorite. Despite the unique obstacles facing pharmacists today, I truly believe the best days of our profession are still ahead.

One thing that has not changed during the pandemic is the continued importance of the Texas Pharmacy Association to advance the profession of pharmacy.

Why is it so important? During my first year of pharmacy school I had the opportunity to attend Pharmacy Day at the Capitol, during which I realized the importance of advocating for changes in policy. There are so many different pharmacy practice areas you can choose from upon graduation. While that makes pharmacy a diverse field, it can often feel segmented as each branch of pharmacy tends to have its own organization.

Thankfully, TPA is here to close the gaps as we work to advance all aspects of pharmacy forward in Texas. Throughout the pandemic, TPA never stopped working to make sure pharmacists were updated with the rapidly changing information related to COVID-19. TPA advocated for allowing pharmacies across the state the ability to administer COVID-19 tests and vaccines when they became available. Pharmacy advocacy allowed for the expansion of vaccine administration to children ages 3 and above, marking an incredible win for pharmacists as it displays the skills and knowledge those in our profession gain as we progress through school and into our careers.

Not only did they jump into action during the pandemic, but TPA members have always looked out for the best interest of pharmacy. During this past legislative session, TPA worked with members of the Texas Legislature to pass legislation aimed at protecting pharmacies from pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices that cause pharmacies to lose money and patients. With the passage of such bills, we can continue to help protect our pharmacies, pharmacists, and most importantly, our patients across the state.

Now, as a fourth-year pharmacy student, if I could leave you with only one ounce of wisdom I have learned, it would be this: get involved in public policy and in organizations like TPA during and upon graduation from pharmacy school. Those decisions can have lasting impacts on your career and the lives of your patients. While we all may have different career paths, may we never forget that, in the end, we share a common goal to move the profession of pharmacy forward.

The Political Process Is Not as Complicated as It Initially Seems

The political jargon and various processes can be difficult to understand at first. Politics is like a game where you have to understand who the players are, the rules of the game, and what rules can be broken. As you piece things together, it begins to make more sense—just give it time and ask questions. This is why TPA employs a fantastic team of lobbyists to guide us through the process.

Politics Can Be Exciting

Too often, government is termed a “boring” topic, especially among us science-minded folk in the pharmacy world. I have experienced first-hand the excitement that comes with a successful public hearing or watching a bill being debated on the floor of the Texas House or Senate.

During one field trip to the state Capitol, I donned my white coat to show support for pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform legislation being heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. In a rare move, the committee unanimously voted the bill out of committee that day. Finally, people were beginning to understand the plight of pharmacists against unfair PBM practices!

The excitement in the Senate chamber and in follow-up meetings with TPA members and lobbyists was a refreshing change of pace. Our bills were moving, and that movement spurred a glimmer of hope. Having legislators so passionate about pharmacy issues because of our advocacy efforts provided a glimmer of hope that our profession is valued and recognized.

Your Voice Matters More than You Think It Does

While I did not testify myself on behalf of TPA’s immunization and test-and-treat bills, I helped write the testimonies and helped prepare pharmacy witnesses for potential questions. Hearing words I wrote spoken in a committee hearing was an empowering and energizing experience. My voice does matter. My words do have impact. I can make a difference.

So can each and every one of you. Show up for hearings to register your support or opposition, call or email your legislators, tell your stories, and share your experiences. Legislators remember this when they are making decisions.

Involvement Is Meaningful

Whether you are a TPA Board member, just pay membership dues, or fall somewhere in between, the importance of being a TPA member is paramount if we want our profession to survive and thrive.

Pharmacy has huge opponents in the insurance and medical industries. We need as many people supportive of TPA as possible to move the profession forward for our practice abilities, for our businesses, and for our patients.

Getting involved in policy and advocacy can seem complicated, messy, and confusing. Don’t let that deter you from fighting for what you believe in or for what your profession needs. It is worth it. Regardless of your practice setting, regardless of your interest (or lack-thereof) in politics, involvement is important, impactful, and meaningful.

I encourage each and every one of you to step outside your comfort zone and go do something to advocate for our profession. Take that one extra step and venture outside the pharmacy bubble. Learn about the issues facing other people and our society. Be open minded and open to hearing new perspectives. Not only will you be better able to relate to your patients, but you may discover something new about yourself as well.

Humpert completed a six-week rotation with the Texas Pharmacy Association during April and May of 2021.

As a student pharmacist who was excitedly approaching the end of her final didactic year, new questions emerged. Would my rotations be cancelled indefinitely? How would I get my intern hours to graduate? Would I be allowed to complete my rotations the same way I would in a non-COVID-19 world?

I was extremely fortunate that for the rest of 2020 I was able to complete my APPE rotations in person, of course following COVID-19 protocols. My Association Management rotation with the Texas Pharmacy Association came near the end of 2020, and I couldn’t have been happier to attend that rotation in person. Living in College Station and moving to Austin for six weeks made me timid given the recent history of lockdowns in the state, but my anxieties were lessened when I saw that everyone went through great lengths to follow social distancing and mask garbing.

My six-week rotation was exciting, as I found myself living through important moments in history including vaccine allocation meetings for COVID-19 and preparations for legislative issues important in pharmacy during the 87th Texas Legislature that began in January. I was immersed in many great projects with exceptional people. The pandemic may have upset the timing of many things, but I feel my rotation at TPA happened exactly at the right time.

TPA equipped me with the ability to use my voice in multiple ways, from advocating to informing others and lending support for pharmacy. I learned that valuable information is in the details, so active listening will take you far. Most importantly, I understood that working together on a team will move initiatives and ideas forward.

I completed my APPE rotation in an unprecedented time, but it highlighted what it means to be pharmacist, regardless of the current landscape. Be flexible, be ready to help, and above all advance the practice of pharmacy.

Leal completed a six-week rotation with the Texas Pharmacy Association during November and December of 2020.

Although I have been a TPA member for many years, I was not sure what to expect in my rotation as I had a limited background regarding legislation and advocacy. With the help of my preceptor, Debbie Garza, and the TPA staff, it turned out to be an extraordinary learning experience.

Sadly, it was not until this rotation that I got a glimpse at some of the important issues at hand: low reimbursement rates, lack of federal recognition as providers, difficulty joining provider networks in Texas, and concerns regarding job outlook. Throughout my rotation, I was able to participate in meetings with the TPA Board of Directors and other groups, such as Texas Medicaid, that helped me better understand the issues in pharmacy.

Unfortunately, these issues only become apparent to students once they begin practicing, making it difficult to navigate solutions. There is no doubt that clinical knowledge is important, but it is just as vital to learn and educate ourselves about issues that are affecting Texas pharmacists in real time.

TPA provides a unified platform for all pharmacists, pharmacy students, and pharmacy technicians. They actively support and advocate for issues their members are facing, regardless of their practice area. Joining TPA is free for students, but the wealth of information that comes with the membership is immeasurable. It was only at the beginning of this rotation that I realized all the information that I had at my fingertips, as I began to dive further into the weekly newsletters and quarterly magazines.

As students it is easy to get caught in the whirlwind of pharmacy school, but it only takes a couple seconds to sign up and support TPA. Although many issues may not affect students just yet, that does not mean students cannot play a role in advocacy. During the last legislative session in 2019, more than 400 students from all pharmacy schools showed that their voices mattered, resulting in notable legislative wins for pharmacy.

A unified voice in the profession can have a far greater influence than multiple individual voices. TPA has always provided the support, but the organization can only be as strong as its members. Everything is at our fingertips; it’s what we choose to do with the information that can make a difference for our profession and our future.

Momin completed a six-week rotation with the Texas Pharmacy Association during October and November of 2020.

Protocol

Everyone should know the coronavirus protocol being followed at their institution. It could differ slightly or dramatically from others, depending on your institution’s philosophy of medicine. It is part of your responsibility to understand how to observe and maintain the quality of care at the institution.

Location

Everyone should know where COVID-19 patients are being held so you can be aware. Although we are taught on the critical care unit at my institution to treat everyone as if they have COVID-19, it is still good to know where they are being held so you can ensure that you and your team are practicing your best hygiene habits around those patients’ rooms.

Emotion

Within an institutional setting we encounter a variety of individuals. Whether it’s your preceptor, your colleagues, other healthcare professionals or your patients, we should try to keep emotions in check. One way we can do this is by maintaining a sense of normalcy. We want to try and simulate a normal life, except with face masks and minimal physical contact. We should contribute to a calm environment so that our patients who are already in distress (at least for me, in the critical care unit) won’t have additional stress in their lives.

Assist

Consider taking a contact-tracing course for COVID-19. I used the Johns Hopkins version that is free on coursera.org (not a paid sponsorship). Although this isn’t necessarily within our job description, it is important to know in case we are needed to offer assistance in any capacity. It takes a few hours of your life, but it can easily be accomplished during a few lunch breaks over the course of a week.

Strategize

Minimize exposure to your families. Some strategies I use in my day-to-day life include leaving my white coat at my rotation site so I don’t bring in any potential germs back home. (First, check with you preceptor and location to ensure this is okay.) My second strategy is to change and bathe once I’m home to ensure that any germs that came home with me will be isolated to my room.

Education

It’s not every year (knock on wood) that we have to deal with a pandemic. Learn what is and isn’t working throughout this pandemic so that if something like this occurs again we can be better prepared and suited for success. In a way, we are lucky to be given this opportunity for education!

Sheneman is a P4 Student at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy.

As a student pharmacist just six weeks shy of completing the Pharm.D. program requirements, the COVID-19 pandemic brought much uncertainty. Would we be able to finish our rotations? Would we be able to graduate? Would we be able to sit for board exams?

Fortunately, TPA was able to help ease my uncertainty by allowing me to complete a virtual rotation while also emphasizing its dedication to the profession of pharmacy amidst a pandemic.

I spent six weeks working with the TPA staff, yet never saw them in person. Because of my involvement as a student member of TPA, I was familiar with the Association’s structure and was quickly able to jump on board with projects. Debbie held virtual meetings via the Zoom platform allowing the staff to utilize video conferencing to meet multiple times a week. Through these meetings, I was able to put names to faces which helped make up for the lack of in-person interactions. From sharing fun facts to hosting themed birthday celebrations, the virtual platform allowed me to build rapport with the staff while still adhering to the work-from-home mandate.

While the staff was not directly on the front lines of the pandemic like many pharmacists were, they still worked tirelessly behind the scenes and greatly contributed on many different levels. They ensured their website and social media platforms had the most up-to-date information from both a public health and clinical perspective. They helped connect local news stations with pharmacists to highlight their efforts in the community. Most importantly, they worked closely with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy and the Governor’s office to advocate for changes that would help pharmacists, interns, and technicians better meet the needs of their patients during the pandemic.

Although the rotation was virtual, I was amazed at how much I learned and grew professionally during the six weeks. The structure of the rotation allowed me to work on skills such as effective telephone communication, email etiquette, and self-discipline. Fine-tuning these qualities helped prepare me to transition into a workforce that has largely shifted to remote work using virtual platforms.

Although the rotation did not look how I expected it to, it was a very unique and valuable learning experience that I will never forget.

Alvarez completed a six-week rotation with the Texas Pharmacy Association during April and May of 2020.

I am very embarrassed to say that I did not know anything about TPA until I arrived there. I was fortunate to have the rotation because not everyone gets to experience and learn about the value of TPA as a student. In pharmacy school we obtain clinical knowledge, and most APPE rotations are also focused on clinical practices. Students are very busy studying for classes and exams. After completing rotations and graduating, we are busy studying for the Board exams and getting jobs. After we start working, pharmacists are still busy. I didn’t realize until my TPA rotation that you never really have the chance to look back and contemplate your own profession.

During past rotations, I witnessed many positive aspects of the pharmacy profession, but I also heard many complaints from pharmacists, other coworkers, and students. New graduates often have difficulty finding jobs, pharmacists are having their hours reduced, and pharmacist salaries are decreasing because the supply of pharmacists is so high. Technology is taking over many of our traditional tasks. Pharmacists are often not recognized nor appreciated among healthcare professionals.

How can we, as students, fix these problems? What have you done besides complain? Have you ever even thought about what can you do to help our profession? I heard many complaints, but I was never taught what I can do to mitigate the situation. These problems are obviously not something that can be easily fixed in short period of time. However, I believe we can advance our profession by taking small steps.

This is why TPA exists. Joining TPA is one of those small steps. TPA is always here to listen to its members’ voices and incorporate them into its actions. One great example is its work with the Texas Legislature, where TPA represents and advocates for all Texas pharmacists. Last year, pharmacists were finally recognized as providers in the Texas Insurance Code. Such victories show that speaking with one big voice is more impactful than speaking with separate voices.

TPA is our platform to unify ourselves with one big voice. Reading new journal articles, obtaining clinical knowledge, and providing optimal healthcare to the patients are our top priorities. However, caring for and supporting our own profession goes hand in hand with patient care. It must be a priority to ensure a brighter future of the pharmacy profession.

I am grateful and thankful for the amazing opportunity at TPA because I was able to focus on something that never before crossed my mind. As a student, I was able to learn and to reflect on my values. As a future pharmacist, I will continue to reflect and maintain my support for TPA because this is my profession. The future of my profession is in my hands—and yours.

Kim completed a six-week rotation with the Texas Pharmacy Association during February and March of 2020.

It was a revelation to hear that there is gender discrimination not only in the workforce but also internally in women, through self-doubt and fraudulence. I had never realized that other women had similar experiences, let alone that the phenomenon had a name: imposter syndrome.

Diane Ginsburg, a clinical professor and dean at The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy (and also a great mentor to TPA CEO Debbie Garza), defined imposter syndrome as the persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or that it has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts or skills.

Women who suffer from this phenomenon think their success is based on luck or timing, not their own experiences, skills, or other qualities. Those who typically experience this feeling are those with high level positions, creative people, and students, to name a few.

Hearing this, I felt that someone was reading my mind. As a student in my final year of pharmacy school who subscribed to self-doubt and consented to defeat over the years, it is hard to accept that I’m not here based on my good luck but because of my own skills and merits. There is relief in the discovery that there is a name for my insecurity and that I am not alone. Even successful women have cast a cloud over their shining achievements, making it hard to accept the praise they deserve.

The conference was both motivational and inspirational. Being in a room full of women who not only want to better themselves but also support and uplift the women around them was enlightening. Traditionally, the idea has been for women to adjust to the male-dominated workforce, but I believe our goal should be for society to begin to accept and reveal that the capabilities of women are the same as anyone else’s.

I sat at my conference table with a quote staring at me: “Fix another queen’s crown without telling the world it was crooked.” In a room full of other women in pharmacy, it was a reminder that this event wasn’t about men versus women in the workforce. It was about recognizing that as a woman, you can and you should.

Being able to have open conversations about our challenges, we can make more people aware that we all face the same barriers within ourselves. Visualizing success, owning your accomplishments and acknowledging that you deserve to be here are a few of many great lessons I learned.

As I venture into the working world, being able to preemptively address thoughts of hesitancy in advancement due to fear of being under-qualified or feeling fraudulent, I can open doors to more opportunities. By preventing your inner narrative from telling you that you can’t, you’ll be surprised how much you can do.

Le completed a six-week rotation with the Texas Pharmacy Association during September and October of 2019.

From the privilege of accompanying the Professional Recovery Network and witnessing a long-term pharmacist have full licensure restored at an informal conference, to representing both TPA and Texas A&M University at the quarterly Texas Pharmacy Congress meeting, to being so involved at the 2019 TPA Conference and Expo, my time as TPA intern was irreplaceable, jampacked, and ultimately, the rotation of a lifetime. Although much of my time was focused on the conference, along the way I picked up priceless knowledge from my preceptor and CEO, Debbie Garza, and other indulging pharmacy professionals.

One takeaway from the short but brimful rotation, and the buzz from the positive legislative momentum, is that as pharmacists, technicians and students we can collectively advance the practice if we come together under one voice and one organization.

The 2019 TPA Conference & Expo from start to finish attested to this buzz. Pharmacists, associates, pharmacy technicians and students from all around Texas gathered to network, share and gain knowledge, and have fun with colleagues and peers.

Pre-conference board meetings for TPA, the Texas Pharmacy Foundation and PharmPAC spurred discussions about how to continue to elevate the profession through expanding membership, advancing fundraising efforts for the Foundation and how the vitality of PharmPAC depends on its contributors, especially when it comes to advancing our legislative efforts.

Over the next three days, watching the excitement and enthusiasm of all the members walking into the continuing education sessions kept my energy up and a smile on my face the entire weekend. It was also lovely to see all of these professionals let loose and have a fun time at the “giant” President’s Celebration after Mark Comfort passed the gavel to Raj Chaddua.

What especially reignited my passion for pharmacy was the House of Delegates. This meeting gave TPA members a physical platform to voice their opinions and concerns and to also be part of accepting and amending resolutions that affect their profession. Although it was a whirlwind being the one in charge of making those amendments to resolutions on the spot, I loved every minute of it—even the sweat I worked up! I truly felt the passion for pharmacy and our profession in that moment.

The room was full of pharmacists who care about the state of the Association and the profession and who want nothing but to elevate all things pharmacy. The student delegates were not afraid to charge up to the microphone and make their voice heard. It gave me such pride to see my peers represent their respective colleges of pharmacy as student pharmacists. It was a picturesque moment of how when we work together, we can and will advance the profession for the best.

Though the conference ended, one thing that will not end is the relationships that I have formed with pharmacists from all over Texas, my peers from different Texas pharmacy schools and especially my extended family at TPA.

This rotation changed how I view my profession. TPA is here for pharmacy and pharmacy only, and that is apparent within the organization, its leadership and its members. I believe that my first TPA conference was meant to be this year’s conference as a student intern, and the next TPA conference I will attend in 2020 in Austin will be outmatched as I will have the title of “new practitioner.” I will continue to support this organization as a pharmacist and hope to be just as involved at every future TPA conference!

Obilom completed a six-week rotation with the Texas Pharmacy Association during July and August of 2019.

Having had minimal experience with policy-making procedures, my head started spinning with all the legislative jargon being thrown across the table. Despite years of memorizing medical terminology, I was not prepared for understanding phrases like “working the offices” or “Christmas tree bill.” However, with the patience and tutelage of the team, I dare say I now have a fair grasp of the various tactics and timelines it takes to pass a bill in the state legislature.

Advocacy may appear a monumental challenge to the clinical-minded student pharmacist who would much rather read the new hypertension guidelines than read the language of our bills, but we need to step out of our comfort zone and learn the things our curricula cannot teach us.

I have learned that it takes days of research to prepare for a three-minute testimony at the Capitol, and that you might wait five hours until your bill finally gets heard in committee at 11 p.m. I have also learned that these short testimonies do matter. Even though it seems like a huge time investment for such little airtime, the value of sharing your story with the literature to back it up is priceless. TPA actively searches for pharmacists to lend a voice to our bills, so while “advocacy” might seem like it is outside of our scope of practice, it is our duty to ourselves, our profession, and our patients to make sure laws are in place to support us.

Still nervous about getting involved? Does the thought of talking with senators and representatives give you premature ventricular contractions? I will admit, I still get that rush of adrenaline, fearing that they will throw me a curveball question that I was not prepared for and I will look ignorant. However, just like it is fine to tell your patient or preceptor, “I don’t know, but I will get back to you,” we can do the same with our legislators. They are people like us who hope to make a difference in their community.

While the legislative session has come to an end, your advocacy efforts should not. The days when pharmacists can focus only on the drug product are gone, and if you want job security after graduation, you need to start advocating now for laws that will enable pharmacists to be paid for services we perform. During the interim, I highly encourage students to organize visits with their representatives to talk about pharmacy priorities. It’s as easy as googling who your representative is and sending an email to their office. If you need some help getting started, TPA can certainly assist.

My preceptor told me, “Don’t be a wallflower.” Nothing will happen if we don’t make ourselves heard. Instead, let’s be a wildflower, unapologetically showing our colors and leaving a beautiful pharmacy stamp on this world.

Nguyen completed a six-week rotation with the Texas Pharmacy Association during April and May of 2019.

This was a memorable experience for me. It was my first time visiting the Texas Capitol, and I was nervously trying to come up with an elevator pitch while guiding my classmates. When we walked through the doors of First United Methodist Church Family Life Center in Austin for the morning briefing and saw the number of people in white coats, it was jaw-dropping. The enthusiasm emitted from attendees showed how much pharmacy advocacy in Texas has evolved.

When I received my advocacy packet, I was anxious because I was unfamiliar with both my assigned teammates and legislators. However, once we greeted each other, listened to mock demonstrations and created a plan of action, I knew we could get through this together.

At first, I worried I would forget what to say. I soon discovered I enjoyed speaking about my profession and educating others about what pharmacists are capable of doing. I realized I was able to gain support and people appreciated how pharmacists are working to improve healthcare. It was clear that our efforts were worthwhile and those 15 minutes of conversation were crucial. It was rewarding to witness the students I recruited from Texas A&M utilize my advice and put techniques I had taught them into action. In addition, watching the students from different schools of pharmacy collaborate on the spot gave me hope for the future state of pharmacy.

I am proud to have advocated for my profession. Events like this help pave the path for pharmacy. The scope of practice for pharmacists is limited by the law, so it is essential that we speak up to advance our profession. It’s also important that current and future pharmacists take time to explain the good our profession does, or we may be misrepresented by others.

It’s vital that we continue to push for initiatives our profession is capable of providing, such as “test and treat” (or the ability to furnish antiviral medications based on a positive CLIA-waived flu test), collaborative practice, and furnishing non-diagnostic medications for smoking cessation or travel. We must remind lawmakers that these initiatives are not solely for our benefit, but would improve the lives of all patients including legislators themselves. Our desire to gain “provider status” would not only enlarge our scope of practice and improve our work life, but would also help improve patient’s health, their experience with healthcare professionals, and the cost of healthcare.

Expanding the role of pharmacists will expand services for patients—and at the end of the day, that’s why we all chose to be in healthcare.

I am on my fourth rotation, and I am fortunate to have been designated to the Texas Pharmacy Association (TPA) as my elective rotation. With the guidance and mentorship of my preceptor, CEO Debbie Garza, RPh, and the supporting staff at TPA, I can in all honesty report that this rotation has been especially instrumental to my growth as a student pharmacist.

My initial impression and conception of TPA was very misguided and lacking. I do not claim to represent all pharmacy students, but having spoken to other students, I feel that there is a consensual lack of knowledge and appreciation for the role our state professional organization plays in the advancement of our profession as well as for the importance of advocacy among those who are invested in it. As the end of my rotation draws near, and my time here is completed, I reflect on all my experiences and interactions knowing that each moment was vital to the growth of my understanding, and deep appreciation for advocacy in pharmacy.

With the profession of pharmacy changing considerably in recent years, pharmacists are often at the front line when it comes to accessing and promoting health care services to patients. These changes have begun to emphasize a less technical role for pharmacists and have also opened up many diverse opportunities for innovative pharmacists who dare to think outside the box. It is understood that the role of pharmacist must evolve to allow us to perform more duties within our scope of practice. But who will fight for the pharmacists to ensure that they don’t become a commodity and that their worth is valued to the extent of the positive impact they provide in health care? The importance of advocacy has never been so clear, and thankfully it is never too late to let your voice be heard.

Advocacy in its most basic form is simply educating others and showing support for a meaningful cause. In order to continue advancing the role of the pharmacist, it is important for pharmacists to advocate for their expanded scope of practice as health care providers. Research has proven that clinical services provided by pharmacists improve patient outcomes, which is the goal of every health care professional.

To make a difference, pharmacists need to be active and get involved. The involvement does not need to be time-consuming, however. By just becoming a member of TPA, members show their support and strength by numbers. A small amount of time can make a big difference, particularly when large numbers of people act together in a coordinated manner for a common cause.

Becoming a member of TPA has been a most gratifying and significant step I have taken as I continue my path through my fourth year of pharmacy school. In a time when I am aware that I have so much to learn but feel lost half of the time, I feel great knowing that I am doing something positive to promote for the profession I love and have chosen. I look forward to the future of pharmacy and plan to continue doing my part to support advocacy in pharmacy. I plan to continue my membership at TPA when I graduate knowing and understanding the long hours and hard work TPA tirelessly puts forward. The possibilities are immense, and our profession can and will advance, but first we must do our part. Join and support TPA!

Lopez completed a six-week rotation with the Texas Pharmacy Association during September and October of 2018.

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.

During my time in school, it became very apparent that the job market and residency programs are increasingly competitive. No longer does receiving a Pharm.D. degree guarantee someone their dream job or residency.

What I witnessed from the 2018 graduating class is that those who spent their time in school building a network of professional contacts and mentors were more likely to get the job or residency they wanted.

Networking is much more than attending a conference and collecting business cards from the booths you visit. Networking involves building relationships. These relationships are what will not only help you achieve your own personal goals, but will ultimately strengthen the profession of pharmacy. That is why “relations” was included as the “R” in the SPARx (Student Pharmacists Advocacy and Relations) Program, which is designed to help students learn the importance of advocacy and building relations.

Before you attend your next conference, reflect on the following questions and see what you can do to better build professional relationships:

• Are you spending most of your time with friends from your own school, or are you branching out to meet students from other schools?
• Are you introducing yourself to both the experienced pharmacists and new practitioners?
• Are you planning on following up through email or social media with the people you met?

Good communication and follow-through are the foundations of networking. Without them, professional relationships and mentorships are almost impossible to form. Attending a conference is great, and if you list several on your CV it may look like you were involved, but it probably won’t be the deciding factor on whether or
not you get a job or residency offer.

What could help you, though, is meeting someone at a conference who can open up a new opportunity about which you were previously unaware. Pharmacy is a small world, and the more you are connected with other pharmacists, the more you will realize this. Not everyone will be able to help you get the job or residency you want, but just being around other pharmacists can provide a great support system. It is nice to be around people who have similar struggles and goals.

One of the benefits of TPA membership is that it provides a network for all pharmacists to come together. As a student, I took full advantage of my membership and discounted conference registration fees.

When I went to conferences, I made sure to meet fellow students from different schools, because if we are the future of pharmacy, then it is important that we start meeting each other today. I also made sure to talk to experienced pharmacists who attended the conferences. I was able to learn from what they told me, and I met several who have become my mentors.

TPA’s motto is “Together Pharmacy Advances,” and I believe that includes all pharmacists from all fields and generations. The more united our profession
is, the more we will be able to achieve individually and collectively. One of best ways to achieve this is through networking.

When pharmacists graduate and go into this amazing career field, we are struck with limitations that do not allow us to practice at our level of education. For example, if a patient is wanting to go out of the country, they will most likely need travel medications. To get these, they would have to make an appointment and take more time and money than they need to, to see a physician. In another scenario, what if a patient is feeling sick with a common condition such as strep throat, a common cold, or the flu? As of right now, they would have to go through the same process as they would to get their travel medication; that is, make an appointment with their doctor and take time out of their day to visit the physician for a routine illness. What if a patient could come to the pharmacy, have a pharmacist look up what medications are needed for travel to specific countries, or as in the second scenario, run a quick test and prescribe the patient what they need, if a positive test, and have the patient on their way or feeling better in just a few days?

This is why advocacy through the Texas Pharmacy Association is critical. The TPA Academy of Student Pharmacists is promoting advocating for the profession from several angles through the Student Pharmacists Advocacy and Relations (SPARx) Program. This program is broken up into three sections to be completed over the course of the 2017-2018 school year. The first section, to be completed by December, is the “community” section. The two remaining sections will be completed in the spring.  The second and third sections are the “interprofessional” section, where we will promote pharmacy to other health care professionals, and the “regulation” section, where we will study pharmacy regulation and legislation. With each of the three sections, a student director from each school of pharmacy will host a seminar to explain the individual sections and what we, as students, are working to accomplish. Each section also has a mini-project and a short written reflection. For the community portion, students must make a presentation to educate the communities in which we reside about the training and education needed to become a pharmacist and the roles we can play in everyday life. After the mini-project has been presented or submitted online, students will write the reflection covering what they got out of it and what they think the community learned. When all three sections (community, interprofessional, and regulation) have been completed, students will receive an advocacy certificate that recognizes their efforts in advancing the pharmacy practice.

In a few short years, we as students, will be fully submerged into the profession of pharmacy. After studying hours on end, experiencing stress like we have never had before, and taking test after test in pharmacy school, why would we want to be so limited? Why would we work so hard for our doctoral degree if we do not want to use all this pertinent information to help patients to the best of our ability? I believe I can speak for most students and say that we do not want these limitations and restrictions. It can start at the ground level with pharmacy students and work its way up to improved patient care at a state and national level.

Lucas Cannon is a pharmacy student at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and is a TPA student director.

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.