I enjoy reading good books. I am a fan of adventures, mysteries, classics and history. During most of the year the only books I get to read are my textbooks...which are not on my or any top novel list. The summer is really the only time I get to pleasure read. This summer I got book recommendations from almost every friend. One series that was recommended over and over was the "Twilight" series of books by Stephanie Meyer.
I was very hesitant to start the books because I am not into fi-sci, aliens, other beings, and fabled stories. People kept telling my how good the books were yet I thought, how good could a book about vampires be? I was sick of being nagged and left out of conversations, so I decided to break down and start the books.
I became HOOKED! I was beyond intrigued by the story and thoroughly involved in the characters' lives. I looked forward to getting further into the book each day. I felt the happiness, sadness, passion and emotion that the characters felt and wanted to be apart of the book. The story is exciting, adventurous and youthful.
Me of all people, who takes things so seriously, was into this fictional book. Really the books are great! I am halfway done with the second book in the series. I feel less excitement but more intrigue and yearning for the good of the characters in this book as compared to the first. I am not as impressed by the second book but I keep reading. I know something good is going to happen so I keep reading anxious for the characters' lives and stories to continue. I will not ruin the books for anyone still getting through them or planning on reading them even though many people are already done with all 4 books. Instead I suggest, read the books yourself!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy 4th of July!!
I celebrated the 4th of July with my family in Chicago. Yesterday we had a bbq with family and friends while watching some fireworks at night. We spent this morning in downtown Chicago at the Taste of Chicago...super yummy and lots of fun! The evening is being spent with my niece, the family and the Wii!
Another Great Holiday!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Summer Internships Help Pharmacy Students Gain Key Skills
This is the article that is appearing in the Drake Magazine. It is about the internship that I as well as a few other students got this summer through the Drake Entrepreneurial Leadership program. This is some of the cool stuff Drake helps its students get involved in!
"Seven pharmacy students are getting first-hand experience this summer at various retail and chain pharmacies -- from the Midwest to the East Coast -- as part of two new internship programs at Drake.
Three students are working at independent pharmacies as part of a program supported by McKesson Corp. and Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Co. They are:
Robin Frohardt, P2, of Sac City, Iowa -- NuCara in Nevada, Iowa
Kathryn McDonald, P2, of Littleton, Colo. -- Medicap GRX in West Des Moines, Iowa
Travis Gau, P1, of Robinsdale, Minn. -- Medicap in Urbandale, Iowa
"Everyone here takes pride in teaching student pharmacists, rotation students, residents and interns," Gau said. "The philosophy here is to provide the best opportunities and environment possible for their patients and their staff."
The other four students are working at internships with chain pharmacies as part of a program funded by a grant from the NACDS. They are:
Tim Humlicek, P2, of Colombia, Mo. -- Kerr Drug in North Carolina
Jennifer Hidding, P2, of Victoria, Minn. -- Snyders in Minneapolis
Victoria Erxleben, P2, of Arlington Heights, Ill. -- SuperValu in Chicago
Dorothy Chrzaszcz, P2, of Mount Prospect, Ill. -- Walgreens in Des Moines
Students, who have a pharmacist mentor at each location, are responsible for a wide array of duties. Some include: giving health screenings, handling prescriptions, counseling clients, developing programs, engaging in research, working with legislators and lobbyists and contributing to newsletters.
"My internship is giving me great experiences in the pharmacy with interacting with patients and helping them determine their self-care and counseling them on prescriptions," Erxleben said. "I am learning a lot about being the patient-focused pharmacist I hope to be."
McDonald and Hidding said the opportunity to interact with clients coupled with learning how the pharmacy business works is invaluable.
"The entrepreneurial nature of this internship is teaching me valuable business skills while still incorporating the patient care services that I am passionate about," McDonald stated.
"I've learned to consider how pharmacy is a business and even if I do not work in the corporate setting, I still need to understand how to run the business in order to be a well-rounded, valuable pharmacist to my future employer," Hidding added.
For some students, like Chrzaszcz, the internship is a great tool for developing leadership skills.
"Through watching other professionals, I understand which characteristics and skills I would like to develop as an effective leader," she said.
Patient care, business skills, entrepreneurship and leadership are just some of the skills students are gaining during their internships. The student interns are also encouraged to attend professional and community activities and events with their mentors.
Five of the seven students attended the annual Iowa Pharmacy Association meeting held June 19-21 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
"It was exciting to watch and hear about how pharmacy is taking charge of making a difference in the political health care reform arena," Hidding said.
"I'm excited and empowered that I'm a part of a fantastic profession that above everything else desires what is best for our patients. This weekend and internship are causing me to reaffirm my commitment to becoming the best pharmacist I can be as well as working with the rest of my colleagues to help move us forward by active participation."
Humlicek, who traveled the farthest for his internship, was surprised that he is doing more challenging work than simply filling prescriptions.
"I've spent all my time working on Medication Therapy Management (MTM) for Kerr Drug's patients," said Humlicek, whose internship is located in a fast-growing area by Greensboro and Winston-Salem in one of the nation's fastest growing states.
"My experience with Kerr Drug has been absolutely positive.""
"Seven pharmacy students are getting first-hand experience this summer at various retail and chain pharmacies -- from the Midwest to the East Coast -- as part of two new internship programs at Drake.
Three students are working at independent pharmacies as part of a program supported by McKesson Corp. and Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Co. They are:
Robin Frohardt, P2, of Sac City, Iowa -- NuCara in Nevada, Iowa
Kathryn McDonald, P2, of Littleton, Colo. -- Medicap GRX in West Des Moines, Iowa
Travis Gau, P1, of Robinsdale, Minn. -- Medicap in Urbandale, Iowa
"Everyone here takes pride in teaching student pharmacists, rotation students, residents and interns," Gau said. "The philosophy here is to provide the best opportunities and environment possible for their patients and their staff."
The other four students are working at internships with chain pharmacies as part of a program funded by a grant from the NACDS. They are:
Tim Humlicek, P2, of Colombia, Mo. -- Kerr Drug in North Carolina
Jennifer Hidding, P2, of Victoria, Minn. -- Snyders in Minneapolis
Victoria Erxleben, P2, of Arlington Heights, Ill. -- SuperValu in Chicago
Dorothy Chrzaszcz, P2, of Mount Prospect, Ill. -- Walgreens in Des Moines
Students, who have a pharmacist mentor at each location, are responsible for a wide array of duties. Some include: giving health screenings, handling prescriptions, counseling clients, developing programs, engaging in research, working with legislators and lobbyists and contributing to newsletters.
"My internship is giving me great experiences in the pharmacy with interacting with patients and helping them determine their self-care and counseling them on prescriptions," Erxleben said. "I am learning a lot about being the patient-focused pharmacist I hope to be."
McDonald and Hidding said the opportunity to interact with clients coupled with learning how the pharmacy business works is invaluable.
"The entrepreneurial nature of this internship is teaching me valuable business skills while still incorporating the patient care services that I am passionate about," McDonald stated.
"I've learned to consider how pharmacy is a business and even if I do not work in the corporate setting, I still need to understand how to run the business in order to be a well-rounded, valuable pharmacist to my future employer," Hidding added.
For some students, like Chrzaszcz, the internship is a great tool for developing leadership skills.
"Through watching other professionals, I understand which characteristics and skills I would like to develop as an effective leader," she said.
Patient care, business skills, entrepreneurship and leadership are just some of the skills students are gaining during their internships. The student interns are also encouraged to attend professional and community activities and events with their mentors.
Five of the seven students attended the annual Iowa Pharmacy Association meeting held June 19-21 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
"It was exciting to watch and hear about how pharmacy is taking charge of making a difference in the political health care reform arena," Hidding said.
"I'm excited and empowered that I'm a part of a fantastic profession that above everything else desires what is best for our patients. This weekend and internship are causing me to reaffirm my commitment to becoming the best pharmacist I can be as well as working with the rest of my colleagues to help move us forward by active participation."
Humlicek, who traveled the farthest for his internship, was surprised that he is doing more challenging work than simply filling prescriptions.
"I've spent all my time working on Medication Therapy Management (MTM) for Kerr Drug's patients," said Humlicek, whose internship is located in a fast-growing area by Greensboro and Winston-Salem in one of the nation's fastest growing states.
"My experience with Kerr Drug has been absolutely positive.""
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Bad Omen...or Weird Coincidence?
In the office where I work there is an old magazine framed and mounted on the wall. The magazine is framed because it is a business magazine that highlights the achievements that Walgreen's has done. It was published a few years ago and on the front cover is a picture of a male Walgreen's pharmacist and a female Walgreen's manager both from Iowa.
Ever since I started working at that office the mounted magazine has really bothered me. Really the picture on the front of the magazine is what bothers me. I see the women as someone other than who she is. I was convinced from the beginning and still am that the women looks like a bleached out Michael Jackson. I know this sounds like crazy talk but I am not crazy.
As I passed that magazine cover for about the millionth time yesterday afternoon I said something about it to the three other people in the office. They all laughed at me to begin with. But when they looked again at the photo each one gasped in shock and whole heartily agreed at the astounding resemblance. They all admitted that they had never really looked that closely at it or even paid much attention to it. Now it is the new topic around the office.
Well today as I was jogging, the radio announcer was mourning the death of Michael Jackson who died today June 25, 2009. I almost came to a sudden stand still. I had just been talking about that photo that bothered me the day before and now the person I was talking about was dead. This was somewhat creepy and all too ironic. No I do not believe I have ESP or can see the future but I do think life sometimes surprises you with such weird coincidences that you have to take notice. All I can think now is that every time I pass that magazine in the office is: a dead entertainer is staring at me with a big smile knowing what I said.
EEK!!
Ever since I started working at that office the mounted magazine has really bothered me. Really the picture on the front of the magazine is what bothers me. I see the women as someone other than who she is. I was convinced from the beginning and still am that the women looks like a bleached out Michael Jackson. I know this sounds like crazy talk but I am not crazy.
As I passed that magazine cover for about the millionth time yesterday afternoon I said something about it to the three other people in the office. They all laughed at me to begin with. But when they looked again at the photo each one gasped in shock and whole heartily agreed at the astounding resemblance. They all admitted that they had never really looked that closely at it or even paid much attention to it. Now it is the new topic around the office.
Well today as I was jogging, the radio announcer was mourning the death of Michael Jackson who died today June 25, 2009. I almost came to a sudden stand still. I had just been talking about that photo that bothered me the day before and now the person I was talking about was dead. This was somewhat creepy and all too ironic. No I do not believe I have ESP or can see the future but I do think life sometimes surprises you with such weird coincidences that you have to take notice. All I can think now is that every time I pass that magazine in the office is: a dead entertainer is staring at me with a big smile knowing what I said.
EEK!!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
IPA Annual Meeting
I got to attend the Iowa Pharmacist Association Annual Meeting this weekend in Cedar Rapids, IA. I got to the conference early on Friday to help out with the golf outing fundraiser. I was too poor to pay the registration fee to play so instead I helped man the Drake Hole and raised over $450 for the college's student travel fund. I also got to meet some great people out on the golf course including numerous board members, pharmacists, and UofI and Drake faculty. It was hilarious to see how competitive pharmacy nerds could get over a round of golf and it was amazing to see how generous pharmacist are when it comes to supporting the future of their profession.
The Entrepreneurial program at Drake that I am involved through a grant paid for the rest of my weekend including the registration fees and hotel (including two nights in a king size bed...YEAH) The grant even paid for dinner at Biaggi's with the Dean and two associate Deans, for 6 of the intern members (me being one of them).
The conference itself was well worth it as I got to connect and network with great professionals from all over the state. At the exhibition portion of the conference I got to represent my employer, Walgreen's, while engaging in some great conversations with people I may have never have gotten the chance to meet if I had not been present. There were inspiring guests and innovative ideas. The delegation meetings and debates were very informative. I learned a great deal about the laws and rules that the profession is governed under and that are being pushed forward to assist the entire practice of pharmacy. I also got to see the passion that all of my future colleagues including many of the Drake faculty have for their careers through their involvement in every aspect of the conference. The weekend re-energized my spirit for the profession of pharmacy and my optimism for the future.
The Entrepreneurial program at Drake that I am involved through a grant paid for the rest of my weekend including the registration fees and hotel (including two nights in a king size bed...YEAH) The grant even paid for dinner at Biaggi's with the Dean and two associate Deans, for 6 of the intern members (me being one of them).
The conference itself was well worth it as I got to connect and network with great professionals from all over the state. At the exhibition portion of the conference I got to represent my employer, Walgreen's, while engaging in some great conversations with people I may have never have gotten the chance to meet if I had not been present. There were inspiring guests and innovative ideas. The delegation meetings and debates were very informative. I learned a great deal about the laws and rules that the profession is governed under and that are being pushed forward to assist the entire practice of pharmacy. I also got to see the passion that all of my future colleagues including many of the Drake faculty have for their careers through their involvement in every aspect of the conference. The weekend re-energized my spirit for the profession of pharmacy and my optimism for the future.
Monday, June 15, 2009
It Seems Wrong
How can Drake University justify serving imported beers and expensive wines to the parents of the new freshman class during summer orientation? There are a total of 7 orientation sessions and at each one, the school serves the costly drinks to all and any of the parents.
Is the school trying to impress the parents? It seems silly since the parents are not the ones attending the school and the kids that are attending the school have already committed to going to Drake so it is somewhat late for a good impression. Plus, the school should not have to impress the parents with alcohol but rather with its academic excellence, achievements, support of students, college life, etc.
The school could save money by offering the parents regular beverages instead (and no I am not saying it has to be water). Most other beverages are less expensive and just as suitable for hospitality.
The extra money spent on these beverages could go to better the university, increase financial aid for the current/incoming students, or a multitude of more needy causes. If I were one of those parents I would rather the school use that money to help my kid pay for tuition than enjoy a beer.
Maybe I am just too simple or realistic but I find a problem with this picture that no one else seems to see.
Is the school trying to impress the parents? It seems silly since the parents are not the ones attending the school and the kids that are attending the school have already committed to going to Drake so it is somewhat late for a good impression. Plus, the school should not have to impress the parents with alcohol but rather with its academic excellence, achievements, support of students, college life, etc.
The school could save money by offering the parents regular beverages instead (and no I am not saying it has to be water). Most other beverages are less expensive and just as suitable for hospitality.
The extra money spent on these beverages could go to better the university, increase financial aid for the current/incoming students, or a multitude of more needy causes. If I were one of those parents I would rather the school use that money to help my kid pay for tuition than enjoy a beer.
Maybe I am just too simple or realistic but I find a problem with this picture that no one else seems to see.
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