P02 LEGISLATIVE DAYS 2016
P05 Kickball Tournament
P03 Mountain East ASsembly
Brothers travel to Tallahassee to advocate for the profession of pharmacy
Epsilon Mu teams up with the UF COP to raise awareness for autism
Brothers travel to the nation's capital for the Mountain East Province Spring Assembly
M u
N E W S L E T T E R
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SPRING
E psil o n
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." - Helen Keller
KAPPA PSI PHARMACEUTICAL FRATERNITY, INC. CURRENT OFFICERS: Regent: Jennifer Perez Vice-Regent: Jenny Vuong Secretary: Jacqueline Nguyen Treasurer: Jose Tamayo Historian: Khang Tran Chaplain: Kevin THOMAS Sergeant-At-Arms: Benjamin Ferris Pledgemaster: Theora Canonica Immediate Past Regent: Brian Littlejohn
GRAND COUNCIL DEPUTIES: Dr. Renee Rose Dr. Harry Patrick Marcelin Dr. Lawrence Lesko THE NEW EXECUTIVE BOARD The new year welcomes the newly appointed officers of the Executive Board. The new Executive Board will continue the great work the previous board members have dedicated to the Chapter.
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APHA ANNUAL
Brothers travel to Baltimore for APhA Annual
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GUIDELINES TO SUCCESS
Graduating Brothers provide tips for success
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SEP ASSEMBLY SPRING 2016 Epsilon Mu hosts the Southeast Province Spring Assembly
LEGISLATIVE DAYS 2016 BY: BEN "AURELIUS" FERRIS & JOSE "GHOST" TAMAYO
W
hen we first started pharmacy school, we didn’t know how widespread and active pharmacy students were until joining the APhA-ASP chapter at the University of Florida’s Orlando campus. The amount of students involved at our Orlando chapter alone was incredible. We were all led by the president of this APhA-ASP chapter and our Kappa Psi brother, Kevin Martin, who promoted provider status at every opportunity he got. Our campus rallied around his enthusiasm and we had three vans full of students attend Legislative Day at the capital. During this day we were able to promote the field of pharmacy to our State Representatives and Senators. This was an incredible opportunity for us as student pharmacists to see how laws are enacted while promoting new statutes that would not only aid our patients, but also give pharmacists more rights. We also learned that not all legislators were on the side of pharmacists but very opinionated against them. In fact, one particular encounter with a legislator was distinctly memorable. Through his perspective, physicians will not allow pharmacists to attain provider status and as a result, the government would financially suffer. This was a very eye opening moment, as we learned that not everyone supports
pharmacists. This pushes us to fight for our profession even more and to advance our profession to its fullest extent. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity that gave us a new experience to see our government in action while also adding a new perspective on pharmacy. There were hundreds of pharmacy students from schools across the state present, but each of them with the same goal: to promote the field of pharmacy. We were grateful for this opportunity and we encourage every brother to attend a Legislative Day in the future to help promote our profession’s growth. We constantly represent the field of pharmacy as students and we are the future of this profession.
"This pushes us to fight for our profession even more and to advance our profession to its fullest extent." 2
Epsilon Mu Newsletter
MOUNTAIN EAST
PROVINCE ASSEMBLY BY JENNIFER "FORTALEZA" PEREZ JENNY "PROWLER" VUONG JACQUELINE "A
CAPPELLA" NGUYEN
T
"This weekend not only showed us the beauty of our Nation’s history but also the spirit of fellowship and Brotherhood that lies within Kappa Psi."
he Delta Kappa Chapter at Howard University College of Pharmacy hosted this year’s Mountain East Province Assembly at Crystal City in Arlington, VA. Crystal City is located right on the border of Arlington by the Potomac River. The Assembly was being held exclusively at the Doubletree Hotel with views overlooking the Pentagon and the beautiful city of Washington, D.C. This April 8-10th weekend featured shockingly low temperatures in the mid40s, which was even said to be a rare occurrence for those native to the area. Fortunately even with the cold climate shift, Epsilon Mu was able to be represented at this chilly out-of-province assembly by us, Brothers Jennifer Perez, Jenny Vuong, and Jacqueline Nguyen. On April 8th, we flew into Ronald Reagan Airport in the early afternoon to begin the weekend festivities. Check-in to the hotel was not until later that afternoon, so we walked around Crystal City to find a local hotspot for lunch; we decided on EPIC Smokehouse. After, we were able to check in to the hotel room and registration for MEP Assembly. At check-in, the Brothers received a name badge, backpack, and a Kappa Psi umbrella! Brother Jacqueline also purchased the MEP Assembly t-shirt, which was black with the letters “Kappa Psi” written with the names of the collegiate and graduate chapters in the area. Our first obstacle was finding our way to Washington D.C. It was Brother Jenny’s and Jacqueline’s first foray into public transit via the Metro! Luckily, we were able to get our metro cards and made our way to the beautiful Washington, D.C. After enjoying a meal at a delicious Peruvian restaurant, we were given a nightly tour of a few iconic Washington, DC landmarks: The White House, Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial. Brother Jenny’s favorite moment of the trip was sitting down on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and gazing out towards the Washington Monument. The following day was for business. It began at 10 AM, so we thought we could have a quick Starbucks run. We were promptly greeted by intensifying rain as we hurried along with our drinks and breakfast in hand. By the time we got back and dried off, it began to snow! It wasn’t cold for the snow to stick around, but it was definitely a sight to see! Being that it was all three Brothers’ first time at an out-ofprovince assembly, it was interesting to see how different Provinces organize and host their Assemblies. The most exciting part of the business portion of our trip was watching Brother Collegiate Member at Large, Karen Hoang, cut 12 inches of her hair off to donate to the Pantene Beautiful Epsilon Mu Newsletter
Lengths program. Brother Karen Hoang agreed to donate her hair and was able to raise $1,195 to go toward the formation of the Mountain East Province Scholarship fund, which aims to create a yearly scholarship for a deserving Brother in the province. After exploring the Smithsonian Art Museum during the lunch break, we went back to our hotel to get ready for the MEP Assembly Banquet. The banquet was in two beautiful banquet rooms at the top of the Double Tree Hotel. It had a magnificent view of Washington D.C. and the Potomac River which made for a great photo opportunity. The dinner began with a delicious garden salad. During the salad portion, the Satrap of the MEP was presenting awards to Brothers and Chapters. After, dinner plate was served with one of the following options: Citrus chicken, Rice Pilaf, and Maryland Crab Cakes. Right before the cheesecake dessert, the winners of the Mr. and Mrs. Mountain East Province were announced. It was a delightful ending to a great dinner. On Sunday, we ended the whole adventure with some bottomless mimosas for brunch at Scarlet Oak in the Navy Yard district of Washington, DC. It was a bittersweet moment to have to leave the Nation’s capital and all of it’s beautiful sites. This weekend not only showed us the beauty of our Nation’s history but also the spirit of fellowship and Brotherhood that lies within Kappa Psi. Overall, this weekend was one that the three of us will never forget.
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APHA ANNUAL Live Your Why BALTIMORE EDITION
F
BY
rom March 4th to the 7th, Megan KEVIN "SPITFIRE" MARTIN Hudson, Kevin Martin, and Jennifer & Ryder visited beautiful Baltimore, MEGAN "KAZAN" HUDSON MD for the APhA Annual Meeting and Exposition. Here, we had the opportuBrother Megan was able to go to nity to meet student pharmacists, pharmacists, and more importantly Brothers the Generation Rx break out session from all over the nation. On Saturday which was extremely beneficial as she evening, there was a Kappa Psi recep- is currently one of the co-chairs for the Orlando campus chapter. She learned tion and this is where we all had the about all the resources availaopportunity to network and ble through APhA and heard learn more about other from other chapters about chapters. It was good to "There are so many their successes. As the see individuals from the things that can be President of our chapter, Southeast Province besaid about going to the Kevin, along with other ing well represented at APhA annual meeting, but UF campus presidents, this National Meeting, most cannot be put into words." gave a presentation at this as well as meeting Brothmeeting on what our school ers from across the counhas done to advance this speciftry. At this reception it was ic patient care project. It was a proud also announced that the next GCC will be taking place in Naples, FL. We moment where he was able to demonhope to see a lot of Brothers able to go! strate our pillar of industry. The Universi-
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ty of Florida also took home first place in Region 3 for Generation Rx (through the hard work of current and past chairs i.e. Brothers Dominick Curry, Jeanine Garcia and Theora Canonica). Another great part of the conference was being able to partake in fellowship, as well as being a tourist. With the annual meeting falling during spring break, the Brothers from Epsilon Mu were able to go early and explore Washington D.C.. Here they visited the National Mall, the Smithsonian and were even able to go to a Hockey Game. In Baltimore, the Brothers of Epsilon Mu met up with Han Le, Brother from Zeta Gamma, and visited the Aquarium. These Floridians also had the opportunity of seeing snow. There are so many things that can be said about going to the APhA annual meeting, but most cannot be put into words. Hopefully these photos all display the Fellowship, Industry, Sobriety, and High Ideals that this conference provided the Brothers. We will see you all in San Francisco #APhA2017.
Epsilon Mu Newsletter
OVER $400 WAS RAISED AND DONATED TO THE THRESHOLD CENTER FOR AUTISM
"IT WAS GREAT TO SEE THE CAMARADERIE AMONG ALL THE STUDENTS FOR THIS CHARITY." -NICOLE "WARRIOR" MERETSKY
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Southeast Province SPRING ASSEMBLY BY
ALYSSA "PHOENIX" DUNGCA
O
N THE WEEKEND OF VALENTINE'S’ DAY, THE ETAS HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF ATTENDING OUR FIRST SOUTHEAST PROVINCE ASSEMBLY AS BROTHERS. WHAT MADE IT MORE SPECIAL WAS HAVING OUR OWN CHAPTER HOST THIS EVENT. WE WERE ABLE TO SEE OUR CHAPTER’S HARD WORK AND DEDICATION AMASSING INTO AN AMAZING AND UNFORGETTABLE ASSEMBLY. FOR THE ETA CLASS, IT WAS OUR FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO TRULY UNDERSTAND THE VASTNESS OF OUR BROTHERHOOD AND HOW OUR STRONG BONDS KNOWS NO BOUNDS. HEAR WHAT SOME OF US HAD TO SAY:
AS A YOUR
NEW BROTHER GOING TO FIRST ASSEMBLY IS AN
YOUR IT ON
HOME CHAPTER
EXCITING TIME. HAVING THAT ASSEMBLY BE HOSTED BY PUTS .
ANOTHER LEVEL
-AURELIUS
I NOT ONLY GOT TO MEET BROTHERS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY BUT IT WAS ALSO THE FIRST TIME I GOT TO EXPERIENCE THE IMMENSITY OF
OUR EXTREMELY ACTIVE FRATERNITY.
-GHOST
HEARING OFFICERS
AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS SPEAK WAS TRULY INSPIRING, ESPECIALLY BROTHER DOMINICK CURRY ABOUT NOT FORGETTING OUR WHY - THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION BESIDES HOW AND WHAT. -TESLA
LOVED
I MEETING NEW PEOPLE AND ALSO GETTING TO HANG OUT WITH THE BROTHERS THAT I LOVE THE MOST. IT WAS INTERESTING TO SEE THE PEOPLE THAT WE LEARNED ABOUT DURING PLEDGING AND LEARN THE RITUALS OF AN ASSEMBLY. -KAZAN
MY BEST EXPERIENCE DURING ASSEMBLY WAS WHEN DENYS AND I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHAT WITH
THE LEGEND, DR. ANTHONY PALMIERI. IT WAS AT THAT MOMENT I KNEW WHY ASSEMBLIES MEAN SO MUCH. IT GIVES THE BROTHERS A
CHANCE TO CONNECT. EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY ONLY MEET FOR A FEW MINUTES YOU STILL GET THAT INSTANT CONNECTION BECAUSE YOU ARE BOTH BROTHERS OF THIS GREAT . -CHRONOS
ORGANIZATION LOVED
I THAT MY FIRST ASSEMBLY WAS THE ONE THAT MY CHAPTER WAS ABLE TO HOST. HEARING THE PLANS AND THE DETAILS OF THE EVENT, I KNEW IT MUST HAVE BEEN REALLY STRESSFUL TO PLAN. I LOVED SPENDING THE WEEKEND WITH MY FAMILY AND I'M SO
PROUD OF THIS CHAPTER!
-CHRYSALIS IT
SHOWED
ME
THAT
THE BEHIND KAPPA PSI IS NOT CHAPTER SPECIFIC, BUT SPREADS ACROSS OUR
BROTHERHOOD
STATE, OUR PROVINCE, AND OUR NATION.
TO SEE BROTHERS FROM ACROSS OUR PROVINCE COME OUT AND INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER WAS
TRULY AN ENLIGHTENING EXPERIENCE
-DUCTILITY
AMAZING
IT WAS SEEING ALL THESE BROTHERS FROM DIFFERENT
AREAS COME TO ONE CENTRAL LOCATION AND ALL BE ABLE BOND BECAUSE OF TWO SIMPLE LETTERS: KAPPA PSI. -WARRIOR SEEING BROTHERS FROM ALL OVER THE PROVINCE WAS SURREAL BECAUSE IT MADE ME THINK HOW FAR OUR FRATERNITY REACHES. -SHE-RA
WHAT MADE THIS ASSEMBLY ONE THAT I WILL NEVER FORGET IS BEING ABLE TO SEE THE THE EXCEPTIONAL PRODUCT OF OUR CHAPTER’S COMMITMENT AND, HOW, EVEN THOUGH WE JUST CROSSED, WE FELT LIKE WE
BELONGED.
-PHOENIX CHAPTER’S COMMITMENT AND, HOW, EVEN THOUGH WE JUST CROSSED, WE FELT LIKE WE BELONGED.
-CLEOPATRA
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Epsilon Mu Newsletter
GUIDELINES TO SUCCESS
BY KATIE "CHRYSALIS" LI NOTHER YEAR HAS PASSED AND ANOTHER SET OF BROTHERS HAVE TRANSITIONED INTO THE DOCTORS AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR INDUSTRY. ENDURING FOUR YEARS OF PHARMACY SCHOOL TAKES NOT ONLY INTEREST IN MEDICINE, BUT ALSO INSURMOUNTABLE DEDICATION AND MOTIVATION. IT ALSO REQUIRES TRUE PASSION FOR THE FIELD, AND ABOVE ALL, THE HELPING HANDS OF THE BROTHERS AROUND YOU. THIS CHAPTER WOULD NOT BE THE SAME WITHOUT EACH BROTHER’S LOVE AND DEVOTION FOR THE PROFESSION AND THE BROTHERHOOD. EACH ONE OF THEM HAD SOME WORDS OF WISDOM TO LEAVE THE CHAPTER AND WITH THESE WORDS, THE REMAINING BROTHERS WILL PROUDLY CARRY THE LEGACY THEY LEAVE BEHIND.
A
Keon "Neo" Thomas Keon will be starting his pharmacy career at Walgreens Pharmacy as a retail pharmacist. “Never take for granted the time that you spend with your Brothers, especially during these short four years. Some will provide you support, some will provide you guidance, and others will provide you wiTH laughter and joy. Know who those people are and be there for them as they are for you. Remember to stay unified! Communication and Organization and will keep us strong. I can assure you that most problems arise from a lack of either or both. Remember the core values of Epsilon Mu. Graduated Brothers will not be able to help you if you do not reach out to us. Please remember that we are here, it can BE very easy to forget. Lastly, always PAY IT FORWARD!!!”
Jennifer “Vogue” Orozco Jennifer will be at Jackson Memorial Hospital with Brother Wendy Yuen for their PGY-1 Residency. “Always stay true to yourself and what drives you. Stay focused, stay determined, and stay hungry. Surround yourself with positive people in your life and feed off of their energy. Don't bottle it up, it's okay to vent and let it out. Most IMportantly stay humble, be selfless, be fearless, and live to inspire Others.”
"...it will all come together, one piece at a time.”
Danielle “Forget-Me-Not” Bley Danielle will be completing her PGY-1 Residency at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, GA with the hopes of pursing a PGY-2 Residency the following year. “Pay attention to the opportunities that present themselves in pharmacy school that can shape you. If a position or project makes you excited or even a little nervous, take it as a chance to grow if it's something you see yourself enjoying. You never know what doors it will open or what direction it can take you in and on the other side of the struggles and discomfort, you'll learn more about yourself. Pharmacy school can be fun if you allow your passions to guide your involvement.”
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Ravi “Salai” Bacchus Ravi will be starting a PGY-1 residency at Florida Hospital Orlando with the hopes of pursuing a PGY-2 Residency in critical care in the year following. “Never let your previous failures define who you are as a person. I am living proof that you can bounce back from anything in pharmacy school. I want nothing more than for you all to learn from my story and to ultimately reach heights that I was unable to. Within each of you lies greatness. Strive to be a better version of yourself each and every day. Remember that the world is yours. One love.”
Rubiel “Transporter” Alvarez After graduation, Rubiel will be taking some time off to travel. “Even though classes can get burdensome, make sure to enjoy and take advantage of every second in pharmacy school.”
"Strive to be a better version of yourself each and every day."
Staci “Miss Fortune” Hall Staci will be working as a retail pharmacist at Walmart pharmacy. “Focus on what you are doing right at that moment. Try not to get overwhelmed with the information, it will all come together, one piece at a time.”
Kristal “Rhythm” Judd Kristal will be working at Walmart as a retail pharmacist. “The best friends in school you will ever have are from Kappa Psi and especially those in your pledge class. Always take the opportunity to spend time together, because in the blink of an eye you will all be going separate places and directions. I could not be more thankful for all of the hard work everyone puts into this organization, and cannot wait to see it thrive even further as the years go on.”
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Epsilon Mu Newsletter
Jessica “Tiao Wu” Wu Jessica will be making a difference in the lives of her patients as a wonderful pharmacist. “If ever something does not go as planned, do not let your emotions consume you. It is okay to react to the situation, but try and find the strength to move forward. Focus on the positive factors within the situation, and use this ‘challenge’ to help you grow. You just might discover something about yourself or find an alternate path that you just did not see before.”
Dominick “Nirvana” Curry Dominick will be working at Orlando Health Hospital for his PGY-1 Residency. “No matter how sure you are right now what career what you want to go into, set yourself up to be successful in any career. I have seen so many people pull 180s on their career choice, and it's definitely wise to make yourself competitive. Act like you want to be doing whatever you'RE doing, even if you’re on a clinical rotation and know you want to do retail or vice versa. You cannot predict what may change in your life that could alter your decision. Don't burn bridges, you just burn yourself. Be excited to learn wherever you are and put out quality work no matter how much you care or don't care. Also, do stuff during school; go to conferences, road trips, spend loan money, have fun. This is it, once it's over, it's gone.”
"set yourself up to be successful in any career."
Wendy “Moxie” Yuen Wendy will be joining Brother Jennifer Orozco at Jackson Memorial Hospital for their PGY-1 Residency. “Learn to love yourself, work hard and be happy."
Tiffany “Houdini” Smith Tiffany will be starting her PGY-1 Residency at the James A. Haley VA Hospital. “A strong work ethic and positive attitude are the first steps to take toward success.”
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Class of 2016 Dr. Keon Thomas
Dr. Jennifer Orozco
Dr. Rubiel Alvarez
Dr. Jessica Wu
Dr. Danielle Bley
Dr. Staci Hall
Dr. Dominick Curry
Dr. Ravi Bacchus
Dr. Kristal Judd
Dr. Wendy Yuen
Dr. Tiffany Smith
Congratulations to the graduating Brothers! We wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors!
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Epsilon Mu Newsletter
EDITOR's NOTE THANKS TO THE COMMITTEE AND TO ALL OF THE CONTRIBUTORS. IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE WORKING WITH YOU ALL and I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK. UNTIL NEXT TIME. -ENIGMA
NEWSLETTER & PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE Khai Ho Amy Tran Timmy Do Jeanine Garcia Amy Hibbard Jacqueline Nguyen Nemat Ashraf Kevin Martin Megan Hudson Alyssa Dungca Katie Li Nicole Meretsky Khang Tran
CONTRIBUTORS BEN FERRIS JOSE TAMAYO JENNIFER PEREZ JENNY VUONG JACQUELINE NGUYEN KEVIN MARTIN MEGAN HUDSON AMANDA AL-BAHOU NICOLE MERETSKY ALYSSA DUNGCA KATIE LI
epsilonmu@kappapsi.org www.kappapsiepsilonmu.com
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