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.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
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.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Teaching Senators and Legislators
I was somewhat disappointed when I had not received the pharmaceutical research internship position in Massachusetts that I was excited about. I was however offered a different pharmacy management internship in Des Moines and accepted. Since the management position was not my first choice, I found myself not very excited about the summer.
I am a firm believer in the idea that if you think something hard enough that is what will play out. For example, if you truly believe you can achieve something you will make it happen. For this reason, I was upset that I was setting myself up for failure by retaining such negative thoughts about the internship that I accepted. As the starting date neared I wanted to change my negative thoughts and images into positive ones so that I could psych myself up and give myself a fighting chance of having a phenomenal experience through the internship. I started contact with my to be supervisor to learn more about what I was doing in which I began to gain interest and ideas of what I wanted to get out the next few weeks of work. I also learned about some great learning opportunities that I could take advantage of while interning for the company. By the time the day came for me to start, I had made almost a 180 degree turnaround in attitude. I was excited, had a wealth of ideas, set some goals, was eager to learn and realized the fun I might have.
That was a week ago. So far after the first week, I think I made a GREAT decision by choosing this internship. No day has been the same (I enjoy variety) and each one filled with a tremendous amount of learning and doing!
One of the more exciting afternoons included a meeting with some Iowa senators, legislators and pharmacy lobbyists. I accompanied the individuals through a pharmacy tour where they were introduced to the 'art' of pharmacy that is most likely much different then what they assume from their regular visits to their local pharmacies. We discussed how innovations, policies, and laws were influencing the profession of pharmacy in an effort to gain their support when debating bills on capital hill. It was great to explain my views on issues within the health profession in hopes that they may take into consideration the best interests of their future voting constituency. The whole event was conducted in order to teach our influential representatives about the changing world of pharmacy and the amounting concerns pharmacists face with the evolving health care system.
I never thought that the district management dealt with these issues but am pleased that they do because I was able to get a taste of practice. I am pleased with my first week and am looking forward the rest of the summer with enthusiasm and a desire to find out if this is a possible direction that I may consider for my career.
I am a firm believer in the idea that if you think something hard enough that is what will play out. For example, if you truly believe you can achieve something you will make it happen. For this reason, I was upset that I was setting myself up for failure by retaining such negative thoughts about the internship that I accepted. As the starting date neared I wanted to change my negative thoughts and images into positive ones so that I could psych myself up and give myself a fighting chance of having a phenomenal experience through the internship. I started contact with my to be supervisor to learn more about what I was doing in which I began to gain interest and ideas of what I wanted to get out the next few weeks of work. I also learned about some great learning opportunities that I could take advantage of while interning for the company. By the time the day came for me to start, I had made almost a 180 degree turnaround in attitude. I was excited, had a wealth of ideas, set some goals, was eager to learn and realized the fun I might have.
That was a week ago. So far after the first week, I think I made a GREAT decision by choosing this internship. No day has been the same (I enjoy variety) and each one filled with a tremendous amount of learning and doing!
One of the more exciting afternoons included a meeting with some Iowa senators, legislators and pharmacy lobbyists. I accompanied the individuals through a pharmacy tour where they were introduced to the 'art' of pharmacy that is most likely much different then what they assume from their regular visits to their local pharmacies. We discussed how innovations, policies, and laws were influencing the profession of pharmacy in an effort to gain their support when debating bills on capital hill. It was great to explain my views on issues within the health profession in hopes that they may take into consideration the best interests of their future voting constituency. The whole event was conducted in order to teach our influential representatives about the changing world of pharmacy and the amounting concerns pharmacists face with the evolving health care system.
I never thought that the district management dealt with these issues but am pleased that they do because I was able to get a taste of practice. I am pleased with my first week and am looking forward the rest of the summer with enthusiasm and a desire to find out if this is a possible direction that I may consider for my career.
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