Kelli Gibson wasn’t too surprised when six national awards went to the UNMC chapter of the Academy of Students of Pharmacy.
But, when the UNMC student chapter received the Division AAA chapter achievement award, Gibson was floored.
“I was very surprised; that was the big one,” said Gibson, the chapter’s president. “It honored the work we did last year and the work we continue to do.”
ASP is the student organization of the American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA), the professional organization of U.S. pharmacists. The awards were presented at the APhA national conference in March. Last week, the group marked its successes with an appreciation celebration at the UNMC College of Pharmacy.
The chapter achievement award marked the first time that a University of Nebraska pharmacy chapter has won that award, said Sam Augustine, Pharm.D., associate professor of pharmacy practice at UNMC and faculty adviser to the ASP chapter.
“It gives us something to try to imitate next year,” Dr. Augustine said. “Next year’s student leaders already have lots of good ideas, so I’m sure it will be an exciting and beneficial year, as well.”
In addition to the chapter achievement award, the UNMC ASP chapter received the following awards:
- The top award from a six-state region for Operation Immunization, in which pharmacy students provide influenza immunizations to employees of UNMC and Nebraska Health System and at an Omaha pharmacy.
- Two certificate awards for Operation Immunization and Operation Diabetes, in which students do screening for glucose and cholesterol at several locations throughout Omaha.
- A certificate of recognition for overall chapter achievement.
- The ASP outstanding adviser award, given to Dr. Augustine.
- Recognition as one of three U.S. pharmacy schools to have more than 90 percent of its student body participate in ASP.
In addition, Sara Burda, a fourth-year UNMC pharmacy student, was recognized for serving on the national ASP board as an at-large member.
As chapter president, one of Gibson’s goals for the organization was membership recruitment, which included a summertime orientation for first-year students. “They really made an effort to get student involvement in all four classes,” Dr. Augustine said.
ASP, Dr. Augustine said, is an avenue for students to perform community service and to become involved professionally.
“The intent is to get the individuals involved in the profession and to network with other professionals,” he said. “That networking brings about a lot of ideas, as well as professional opportunities.”
At the national conference, for instance, students were able to network with others including Public Health Service pharmacists who spoke to them about clerkship and career opportunities. A pharmacist working with indigent patients in central Florida also invited students to assist her in developing a clerkship site at her pharmacy.
Receiving the awards isn’t bad, either, Gibson said.
“It’s fun when you win so many awards,” she said. “It’s also an excellent opportunity for networking; there were quite a few people there. All around, it was a good experience.”
Photos in descending order: 1) Jamie Staub, a second-year pharmacy student from Norfolk, cuts the celebratory cake while classmates Andrea Torczon, left, and Sara Bolling look on; 2) The 2002-2003 officers in the UNMC College of Pharmacy chapter of the Academy of Students of Pharmacy take the oath of office. Leading them was 2001-2002 ASP President Kelli Gibson, right. The new officers, from left, include, Cassie Harrison, president-elect; Jennifer Marks, parliamentarian; Carisa Masek, treasurer; Ann Augustine, secretary; Paula Svoboda, president; and Jamie Staub, publicist. All of the students will be third-year pharmacy students in 2002-2003 except for Harrison, who will be a second-year student.