2021 NWI/Installation

2021 Night with Industry/ Installation Banquet

By Angela Lee, PharmD, BCPS, APh, Communications Chair

Our chapter's very first virtual Night with Industry & Installation took place on Friday, January 29th, hosted by 2020 social affairs co-chairs, Angela Lee and Steffi Fukunaga, and joined by over 40 members, industry representatives, and students. Like many other events in the past year shifted from in-person to Zoom, some adjustments had to be made. However, SBLBSHP's display of gratitude for our members as well as industry sponsors, recognition of outgoing and incoming board members, and traditions like passing of the crystal gavel to the next president continued on.

The event was sponsored by Abbvie, Biogen, and AstraZeneca; each company gave a brief presentation, followed by an interactive quiz session for attendees to answer questions and win gift cards. Distinguished guests - CSHP CEO, Loriann DeMartini, and CSHP President-elect, Jim Scott - joined, showing their support for SBLBSHP. The immediate-past CSHP president and past SBLBSHP president, Lisa Gunther, conducted the installation of the 2021 board. The 2020 SBLBSHP president, Angela Jeong, was presented with a plaque of appreciation for her leadership during these unprecedented times and gave a heartfelt speech recognizing the 2020 board members.

Yen Luu from USC School of Pharmacy and Dorith Anda from MBKU College of Pharmacy were recipients of the student scholarship awards for their persistent dedication and spirit of volunteering with our chapter. In lieu of the annual pharmacist of the year award, Anthony Dang and Marcie Terasawa-Lew from VA Long Beach Medical Center were nominated and recognized as pharmacy heroes for their extraordinary work during this pandemic. The mentorship program coordinator, Rosalin Preechakul, acknowledged members who volunteered in our chapter's outreach effort to cultivate future pharmacists as well as selected students who successfully completed the mentorship program. Upon receiving the crystal gavel (photo below), the 2021 SBLBSHP president, John McGady, shared his vision for the year ahead, hopeful that our chapter activities may return to normalcy and we may be able to connect in-person soon.

The evening concluded with raffling of the grand prize: a 1-Year Complementary CSHP membership, won by SBLBSHP's long-time member, Stephen Snider! SBLBSHP would like to thank all those who attended our very first virtual Night with Industry/Installation to kick off another meaningful year of professional growth, networking, and advocacy. Thank you for your ongoing engagement and support.