Independent Voice:
NCPA's Student Member Newsletter
The 2007-2008 Student Council:
The NCPA Student Executive Committee comprised of the NCPA Student Leadership Council (SLC) and the NCPA Student Regional Council (SRC) are pharmacy students elected by their peers to represent student chapters on NCPA’s policymaking steering committees and to spread the NCPA message of the rewards and challenges of independent community to students. The new 2007-2008 Student Council has been selected from various schools across the country.
NCPA Student Leadership Council (SLC)—President, Leah Movsessian, from the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy; Chandler Conner, University of Georgia, Roy Hendley, University of Houston, Raewyn Tamer, Samford University, Casey Woltz, Southwestern Oklahoma State University. The Leadership Council is on the NCPA Steering Committee as student representatives.
Leah Movsessian, President, is a fourth year Pharm D. student at the USC School of Pharmacy in Los Angeles. She completed her undergraduate work at USC in 2004, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology. She has served on the boards of three organizations on campus, including NCPA for which she was the Co-President, last year and the Vice President the year before. She has organized the “Recipe to Owning and Developing Your Own Pharmacy” educational module series. This series consisted of several independent pharmacists as well as pharmacy allies who came and spoke to student members about the different facets of ownership. She is also involved in Phi Delta Chi, the Armenian Students Association, Skull and Mortar, as well as APSA (which is an umbrella organization that includes CPhA and APhA). Leah is looking forward to serving as the SLC representative for Region VIII for the 2006-2007 year. She hopes to spark excitement about independent pharmacy and help student NCPA chapters grow. After graduation, Leah’s ultimate goal is to own an independent pharmacy which focuses on compounding.
Chandler Conner, is in his fourth professional year at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy in Athens, Georgia. Prior to entering the UGACOP, he received an undergraduate degree from UGA in biological engineering during which time he was able to participate in various plant genomics publications that have increasingly facilitated the University of Georgia being recognized as a world wide leader in agricultural research. Chandler then spent a year working in a very lucrative and sophisticated compounding pharmacy in Valdosta, GA where he was able to utilize his lab background but in a more creative atmosphere. Since beginning pharmacy school, he has been active in APhA-ASP, NCPA, and GPhA. He has been a presidential scholar since beginning the program and was awarded the A.W. Jowdy alumni scholarship for the 2005-2006 school year. He is a board member of the faculty selected student curriculum revision task force. Outside of the classroom, Chandler strives to expand the compounding clientele at Hawthorne Drugs in Athens, GA who enabled him to complete PCCA’s primary training in August of 2005. He plans to begin a non-traditional MBA program this summer and eventually would like to own multiple unconventional independent pharmacies. He enjoys playing golf, triathlons, and spending time with family and friends during the long summer days on Lake Oconee. Chandler is extremely excited about the opportunity to serve as a SRC so that he can increase the awareness of NCPA in the Southeast.
Roy Hendley, graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in biochemistry in 2000. After graduation he earned a Master’s degree in pharmacology from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. After moving to Houston he pursued a career in cardiovascular research at Baylor College of Medicine. He soon realized his current career was lacking patient interaction, thus decided to enroll in pharmacy school. At the University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Roy is a member of NCPA, SSHP, APhA-ASP, Phi Lambda Sigma, and Texas Pharmacy Association. He is the current NCPA chapter Legislative Chair and has competed in the NCPA Business Plan Competition for the past two years. Currently, he is the Vice-President for SSHP and serves on the Communication Affairs Council of Texas Society of Health-System Pharmacists. He has also served as a director on the Student Section Executive Committee of TSHP. For the college, he serves as the 2008 Student Representative on the Curriculum Committee, member of the Student Curriculum Assessment Team, and Class of 2008 Historian. His volunteer activities have included Boys & Girls Country Foster Home, Multiple Sclerosis Cycling Tour, Kids Heart Mission Project and the Houston Outreach Medicine, Education, and Social Services Clinic. As an SRC member, he is excited for the opportunity to visit and collaborate with other NCPA chapters across the country. He hopes to increase student participation in NCPA Annual Convention and NCPA Conference on National Legislation and Public Affairs. After graduation, he plans to complete a specialty residency in geriatrics and use this training as a foundation to establish a pharmacy focused on disease state management.
Raewyn Tamer is in her fourth year of the Pharm.D. program at Samford University's McWhorter School of Pharmacy in Birmingham, Alabama. She is a native of LaFollette, Tennessee. She currently serves as NCPA student chapter president and served as historian the previous year. Raewyn is also a member of ASP, Kappa Psi, and Phi Lambda Sigma. Raewyn was also a team member for the business plan competition. She currently serves as PD2008 class representative for curriculum committee. Before coming to Samford, Raewyn attended Transylvania University in Lexington, KY where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. In her free time, Raewyn enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Raewyn is eager to serve on the SRC for Region V. She hopes to motivate her fellow peers and bring to light the importance of independent pharmacy. As well as increase the awareness of the opportunities independent pharmacy has to offer. After graduation, Raewyn hopes to own an independent pharmacy in the future.
Casey Woltz is in her fourth year of the Pharm.D program at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK. She has served as vice-president and president of her NCPA Student Chapter. She is a graduate of Cameron University in Lawton, OK, where she received her Bachelor's of Science in Chemistry. Casey is extremely active in school activities and is a member of Kappa Epsilon, Phi Lambda Sigma, and Southwestern Pharmacy Association (SWOSU's APhA-ASP Chapter). Casey is extremely excited about the opportunities independent community pharmacy practice offers and she enjoys letting her classmates know that this truly is a viable option for practicing pharmacy. Casey has worked at an independent pharmacy for 6 years and enjoys the flexibility it offers. She loves having the opportunity and privilege to compound medications to meet individual patient and physician needs, and she enjoys being on a first name basis with the patients at the store. Casey is excited about the opportunities that NCPA offers to students and strives to make students aware of the possible doors that NCPA can open to them.
NCPA Student Regional Council (SRC)—Heather Kemerer, Northeastern University, Charles Hartig, Drake University, Kevin Florence, University of Georgia, Tyson Mullen, University of Kansas, Christy Garmon, Samford University, Emily Schulze, University of Washington, Megan Jolley, University of Utah, Jason Doss, Washington State University.
Jason Doss, president-elect, is a third year pharmacy student at Washington State University, Spokane, Washington. Prior to entering the Washington State University, Pharm.D. program, he received an undergraduate degree from WSU in general science. He currently serves as the Committee Chair for his NCPA chapter. He has spent his extra-curricular time in pharmacy school devoted to developing his leadership, business, and management skills. As a student member of NCPA, he has been involved in several projects that have helped him focus on entrepreneurship. He is the past student body president of the graduate and professional programs at WSU. Through his involvement in student government, he has served on numerous committees. Jason is excited to contribute to the outstanding team by bringing his own experiences and ideas to the table.
Kevin Florence is in his third year of the Pharm.D program at University of Georgia in Athens, GA. His interest in pharmacy has been developing for several years being fortunate enough to grow up in a small town, community pharmacy. His parents own and operate Medi-Thrift Pharmacy in LaFayette, Georgia, and both have been extremely active with the pharmacy profession. Kevin is a firm believer that the development and success of community pharmacies is dependent on a group effort from all its members. As being a pharmacy student at the University of Georgia, Kevin is involved NCPA, ASP, Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity and is also on the Dean’s student advisory council at UGA. He is currently the Director of Fundraising at UGA NCPA Chapter and is working with the other officers to find support to send students to the annual and legislative conventions that will help the future pharmacist lead the profession in the right direction. He looks forward to being able to share his experiences and knowledge with all counterparts to insure the growth and to enhance the delivery of health care for all community pharmacies. In Athens, Kevin enjoys fly-fishing, surfing, travel, water sports, skiing and camping.
Christy Garmon is a third year pharmacy student at Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy and a resident of Talladege, AL. She currently holds the position of President of the NCPA Chapter at Samford University. Christy’s ultimate career goal is to own a pharmacy with her husband. Before attending Samford University Christy received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL. As a pharmacy intern, Christy has worked a variety of sites including community and clinical sites, as well as, international sites. She has volunteered at various health fairs providing health care services such as blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol monitoring. Christy is involved with different organizations such as NCPA, ASP, PLS, Kappa Psi, and APA to help enhance the pharmacy profession. She is very excited to be apart of the NCPA Student Council and through her roles she hopes to encourage students and pharmacists to be involved with NCPA.
Megan Jolley Milne is a third year pharmacy student at the University of Utah College of Pharmacy. She is the current president for the NCPA student chapter at the University of Utah. Ever since she was fifteen years old she has worked at her family’s pharmacy, Jolley’s Compounding Pharmacy. She plans on working there when she graduates as a compounding pharmacist specializing in hormone replacement therapy. She wants to help women and men find balance in their lives, and hope to provide a unique service: counseling on each patient’s particular hormone profile, working closely with physicians to create the optimal dosages and dosage forms for each patient. Eventually, she plans on taking over ownership as the third generation Jolley pharmacist. She is excited to be a part of the Student Council for the National Community Pharmacists Association. Megan is involved with various organizations including NCPA, UPhA, ASP, and PCCA. Megan is also serving as the Senator representing the College of Pharmacy in the University of Utah Senate.
Emily Schulze is a third year pharmacy student at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. She is very delighted to be a member of the NCPA student council and very pleased to work with other students and pharmacist in a greater capacity. Before attending University of Washington, Emily received her Bachelors in Biology and Psychology from Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado and her Masters from the University of Colorado at Denver. She would like to learn more about independent pharmacy and contribute to the efforts of NCPA to improve the practice of independent pharmacy. Emily’s career goal as a pharmacist encompasses a multitude of areas such as providing quality patient education, monitoring profiles to ensure optimum care, interacting with patients and their providers to provide continuity of care. Her personal plan to achieve this goal is by practicing in an independent setting in the community. She is looking forward to a future practice in independent pharmacy as an integral member of a healthcare team where she will serve patients with whom she interacts in a personal manner to provide the highest quality care.
Charles Hartig is a third year pharmacy student at Drake University. He has experienced pharmacy and the leadership on a first and second hand basis. His father is an independent owner and his job as NCPA’s summer intern (Summer 2006) has allowed him insight and opportunities into the profession of pharmacy. Charlie’s goals for the future include finishing pharmacy school and pursuing a law degree. He would like to practice community pharmacy and work for a smaller chain or independent pharmacy because he feels it is easier to improve and change practices in a smaller setting. He would like to ultimately represent pharmacist and pharmacy organizations on a larger scale. Charlie currently serves as the president-elect at the NCPA Drake Chapter and is also involved with several pharmacy school committees, student government, Kappa Psi and Sigma Phi Epsilon at Drake University.
Tyson Mullen is in his second year at the University of Kansas, School of Pharmacy. Tyson currently holds the position of Historian and has been an active participant in chapter community service projects at nursing homes. He is the president of his pharmacy class and has been initiated into Phi Lamdba Sigma Leadership Society in the KU School of Pharmacy. He was raised around independent pharmacy in a small rural community of approximately 1,700 people. His great-grandfather opened the first pharmacy in his community and it is Tyson’s plan to return there after graduation. Tyson is involved with various organizations such as ASP, Phi Lamda Sigma and KPA and is very excited about helping complete the CMTM program for his community pharmacy. Tyson shows outstanding professionalism and knowledge when dealing directly with other professionals and patients, and looks forward to a career in independent pharmacy.
Heather Kemerer is a fourth year pharmacy student at Northeastern University. She holds the office of student chapter president and is the founding president of the NCPA chapter. Before attending Northeastern University, Heather received her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Keystone College in La Plume, PA. Pharmacy has been very personal for her. It is a profession that allows her to develop relationship with individuals of all social and economic backgrounds. She is looking forward to becoming a community pharmacist. She is interested in exploring the many broad areas of pharmacy that a Pharm.D. degree can provide. Heather has a strong interest in both independent pharmacy and compounding. Her dream is to one day become a compounding pharmacist and an owner of an independent retail pharmacy.
Student Council Activities
The SLC and SRC will meet for the first time during the legislative conference this weekend. The main topics of discussion will be about the student activities for the annual convention, how to reach more students about NCPA, and the goals for the NCPA Foundation and the goals of the NCPA steering committee over the coming school year.
Last year the student council had two projects they wanted to accomplish throughout the year. The first project was the “LDF Challenge” to NCPA chapters throughout the country. The purpose was to raise funds on behalf of all NCPA students to donate to NCPA’s Legislative Defense Fund (LDF). After the challenge was over, we had several student chapters participate, and collected over $3000 to be contributed to these two influential committees. The student chapters included Creighton University, University of Arizona, University of the Pacific, University of Wyoming, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Ohio Northern University, Texas Tech University, University of Arkansas and University of Kentucky. This was a large step toward increased student involvement in legislative issues. Now that students realize the importance of political activism and take on the motto of the PAC—“Get into politics or get out of pharmacy!”—greater participation and contributions to legislative events and organizations can be expected. For students to find the time in their busy schedules of school, work, organizations and involvement, to fundraise for a cause indicates how important these issues are to them. This being the first year of the LDF Challenge, they hope to find new ways to continue showing our support to NCPA’s LDF and PAC in future year.
The second project was the “Extreme Makeover: Pharmacy Edition, save our Profession! A challenge to change pharmacy’s image one community at a time”. The purpose was to raise awareness, build and strengthen community pharmacy by identifying potential markets, innovating practice ideas, and educating the public about community pharmacy through a media kit. The media kit had risk assessments to identity patients in need and identifies potential markets. The kit would also include calling scripts to educate the public about pharmacy and ways to promote community pharmacy
