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.""
Monday, June 29, 2009
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.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
How to Avoid Getting Ripped Off by the College Bookstore
*See if your college library carries the book and check it out if you can.
*Find out if your college library has Interlibrary Loan which would allow you to borrow the book from other libraries that may have the book and your school associates with (takes some planning ahead)
*Explore the the local community library and check out the book there if they have it.
*See if google has an online copy of the book available to read
*Become friends with upperclassman and see if you can borrow their book, barter for the books, trade for books they might need, or pay them a discounted price.
*See if your school has an online book swap/discount sale between students (most schools have something like half.com set up for just their school...ask around if you do not know)
*Get a half.com account and surf for competitive deals on the book you need.
*Look on craigslist for deals on books you may be using
*Share books with friends (this is really hard when you both need to read/do an assignment at the same time and coordinating schedules is difficult...but doable)
*Photocopy a friend or classmate's book (very tedious)
*Check out other online book stores for a better deal
*Find out if your college library has Interlibrary Loan which would allow you to borrow the book from other libraries that may have the book and your school associates with (takes some planning ahead)
*Explore the the local community library and check out the book there if they have it.
*See if google has an online copy of the book available to read
*Become friends with upperclassman and see if you can borrow their book, barter for the books, trade for books they might need, or pay them a discounted price.
*See if your school has an online book swap/discount sale between students (most schools have something like half.com set up for just their school...ask around if you do not know)
*Get a half.com account and surf for competitive deals on the book you need.
*Look on craigslist for deals on books you may be using
*Share books with friends (this is really hard when you both need to read/do an assignment at the same time and coordinating schedules is difficult...but doable)
*Photocopy a friend or classmate's book (very tedious)
*Check out other online book stores for a better deal
Friday, June 5, 2009
Pharmacy Faculty Really Care
This past semester my pharmacy peers and I were guinea pigs for a new teaching format called TBL (team based learning). TBL requires more independent learning and peer teaching through weekly quizzes and group case discussions. The new format leaves the student more accountable for their own learning and the information to be taught.
Change is really hard for anyone, especially an entire class of pharmacy students who have been learning the same way for years. For the past four years we have all been used to lectures, powerpoints, and assignments so transitioning to TBL was no easy task. The premise of TBL teaching seemed great but the entire class encountered many bumps, hiccups, and stings throughout the semester with the new style. The bad experiences gave many people a negative sense of TBL and that feeling was only worsened when the professors said we would be using this style of learning throughout the next few years in school.
At the end of the semester the faculty realized the tension and passion that this learning approach brought out in the students. They were willing to admit that the semester was not perfect and wanted useful but not cruel evaluations from students. To their credit they wanted to get feedback from the students. The faculty felt so strongly about getting input that they went as far as hiring an individual from outside of the college to sit with a few students in a forum setting and engage in a constructive discussion about the changes in education format.
I was apart of that forum this evening. It went really well. None of the students immaturely bashed TBL but all of them gave honest feedback. It was a great experience to be apart of and hear students speak up about something they are passionate about...which is their learning. The Drake College of Pharmacy faculty deserve a big pat on the back for allowing the students to provide input, knowing it may not be all that they want to hear. They went out of their way to provide a safe and private atmosphere for opinions to be voiced.
This sounds cheesy, but....I am proud to be a Drake Pharmacy student because I know that I am graduating from a school with top notch professors that are truly teaching me to become the best professional and person that I can be.
Change is really hard for anyone, especially an entire class of pharmacy students who have been learning the same way for years. For the past four years we have all been used to lectures, powerpoints, and assignments so transitioning to TBL was no easy task. The premise of TBL teaching seemed great but the entire class encountered many bumps, hiccups, and stings throughout the semester with the new style. The bad experiences gave many people a negative sense of TBL and that feeling was only worsened when the professors said we would be using this style of learning throughout the next few years in school.
At the end of the semester the faculty realized the tension and passion that this learning approach brought out in the students. They were willing to admit that the semester was not perfect and wanted useful but not cruel evaluations from students. To their credit they wanted to get feedback from the students. The faculty felt so strongly about getting input that they went as far as hiring an individual from outside of the college to sit with a few students in a forum setting and engage in a constructive discussion about the changes in education format.
I was apart of that forum this evening. It went really well. None of the students immaturely bashed TBL but all of them gave honest feedback. It was a great experience to be apart of and hear students speak up about something they are passionate about...which is their learning. The Drake College of Pharmacy faculty deserve a big pat on the back for allowing the students to provide input, knowing it may not be all that they want to hear. They went out of their way to provide a safe and private atmosphere for opinions to be voiced.
This sounds cheesy, but....I am proud to be a Drake Pharmacy student because I know that I am graduating from a school with top notch professors that are truly teaching me to become the best professional and person that I can be.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Why Business Is Not As Easy As it Seems
If you own stock or have ownership interest in a company you hope for the best return on your investment.
If you are an employee you want to get paid the most that you can and get the best benefits package available.
If you are the customer you want the best product/service at the lowest price.
If you are society you want the company to provide goods/services with the best interests of all humans, animals, and environments.
If you are an employee you want to get paid the most that you can and get the best benefits package available.
If you are the customer you want the best product/service at the lowest price.
If you are society you want the company to provide goods/services with the best interests of all humans, animals, and environments.
So if you are the manager who do you satisfy while remaining ethical?
Not always as easy as people may think.
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