Student Column

A Seat A Student Perspective at the Table Representative

Joshua Hart | 2019-2020 Board of Trustees Drake University – Student Pharmacist Representative

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If this year could be summed up with one word, Trustees during our April meeting. The board thought, involvement would be a top contender. In addition to what should our response be? Should we echo the events over the past few months including the start CDC or pull together our own statement from a variety of a global pandemic, the civil rights movement of of sources? It was a hard question since information this era, and an important election year, I am also was sparse, and misinformation was growing. referring to my own involvement in the Iowa Pharmacy Association (IPA). My time on the IPA Board of Trustees Sitting on the board with experienced pharmacists made me reflect greatly on my involvement in the looking to each other for answers during a pandemic community and pharmacy profession. was not something I anticipated when being elected, but who would? This meeting evoked that feeling of In April of 2019, I decided to run for involvement I had when I first IPA Liaison at Drake University. I did learned about my role. The same not anticipate being elected, let alone recognize the role I would “It felt empowering goes for the most recent board meeting where we discussed serve within IPA. Upon learning my as a student to have a the message that IPA wanted responsibility as a board member, seat at the table and to send in regards to racial I realized the importance that my voice plays within IPA. I found myself wanting to be more involved in have a say in issues IPA would pursue.” injustice in the United States. It felt empowering as a student to have a seat at the table and the change IPA is making for the have a say in issues IPA would profession of pharmacy. I wanted my pursue, including: Medicaid friends and colleagues to be more pharmacist provider status, actively involved in IPA by joining committees and resources for pharmacists making practice changes, attending IPA events. and even the laws surrounding MTMs in the state.

Leading up to Expo, my college was able to take part in a successful food drive with volunteers taking in donations. It filled me with joy knowing I was able to help put on the event and that I had classmates willing to help by donating food and tabling at the Midwest Pharmacy Expo. However, the nature of things soon changed after Expo. This was the last major inperson event IPA was able to host prior to the spread of COVID-19 throughout the state and subsequent shut downs.

Being a healthcare worker in a pandemic is something many were never trained for. There is no pandemic preparedness course taught in pharmacy One does not need to be working for a cause 24/7 to be considered involved. By getting the word out through social media, IPA can better expand their message of advocacy for the profession and the future of pharmacy in Iowa. For those who want to go a step further, look at attending events (in-person or online) or signing up for a committee in the fall. For students, both sharing posts and attending events not only provides a great opportunity to make connections with IPA members but also provides insight into the issues we may face as practitioners.

school. This was a major concern for the Board of We have more power as students than we think, and being involved in causes that support our communities will help shape a better future for all. ■