legislative day 2006

labama pharmacists, gathered in Montgomery AL on Thursday, April 6, 2006 for the annual “Alabama Pharmacy Legislative Day”. This half-day event, sponsored by the Alabama Pharmacy Association (APA), provided a great opportunity for Alabama pharmacists to showcase pharmaceutical care services to Alabama legislators and their staff members. In addition, this annual event gave pharmacists a chance to promote and improve the pharmacy profession by bringing key issues to the attention of Alabama legislators.

Kimberly Braxton Lloyd, Pharm.D., Director of Auburn University Pharmaceutical Care Center (AUPCC) and Chair of the APA Legislative Day Committee, headed the contingent from the Harrison School of Pharmacy (HSOP). Bright and early, the Auburn group had a breakfast meeting at the APA office in Montgomery with Pattisue Carranza, APA President, Kerry Prickett, APA Past President and Ferrell Patrick, APA Director of Governmental Affairs Before the day started, they discussed important healthcare and pharmacy legislation; bills and issues; and general talking points for the day.

The group adjourned to travel to the State House. They started setting up for Health Screenings on the 6th floor lobby area by 7:15 AM. From 8:00 AM to 12 noon the group performed a number of pharmaceutical care services for the legislators and their staff members.

These services included blood pressure checks, cholesterol screenings and cardiovascular risk assessments; bone mineral density screenings and osteoporosis risk assessments; weight, body mass index, and body composition analysis; blood glucose screenings and diabetes risk assessments; and brief smoking cessation consults.

At the end of the morning, though there was steady business at all stations, several services appeared hotly in demand. Pharmacists had performed 140 cholesterol tests, 38 CV risk assessments, 29 Osteoporosis screenings and 51 body mass composition assessments. The appeal of having strong bones and a normal cholesterol count is evident. But with body mass analysis, one might wonder if perhaps bathing suit season is as important to legislators as it is to the rest of America.

Services were provided by Alabama pharmacists, pharmacy residents, and student pharmacists. And the hard workers got something in return from the legislators: the rare chance to view congress in session from the 6th floor balcony of the Alabama State House.

Afterwards, a casual lunch was served in the APA office before all returned home to Auburn. Many thanks to each of the generous participants who contributed to the success of this annual event.

Erin Bedard (HSOP, P3)	Min Hui Loi-Braden (HSOP, P3)
Nicolas Beyda (HSOP, P1)	Matt Lopez (HSOP, P3)
Ziad Bou Akar (HSOP, P1)	Amber Martin (HSOP,P3)
Merissa Braden (HSOP,P3)	Lindsey Matzenger (HSOP, P4)
Melissa Briley (HSOP, P4)	Rebecca Maxson (HSOP, P2
Brittany Camp (HSOP)	Ashley McIntyre (HSOP)
Jon Case (HSOP, P3)	Amanda Moore (HSOP, P1)
Jacob Clopton (HSOP, P2)	Annah Morgan (HSOP, P3)
Shaquan Davis (HSOP, P1)	Evelyn Nchako (HSOP, P2)
Katie Vaughn Fields (HSOP, P3)	Corey Nicols (HSOP, P2)
Lee Foreman (HSOP, P2)	Barbara Paulison (HSOP, P1)
Dustin Gillon (HSOP, P1)	Greg Peden (HSOP, P2)
Leeann Graves (HSOP, P2)	Amy Pennington (HSOP, P1)
Fallon Ozbirn Hartsell (P2, HSOP)	Mark Popwell (HSOP, P1)
Ashley Bodie (HSOP, P1)	Cristy Pounders (HSOP, P3)
Amy Beth Hulsey (HSOP, P3)	Amy Prigden (HSOP, P1)
Holly Humphreys (HSOP, P2)	Lindsey Whatley (HSOP, P2)
Kimberly Ingram (HSOP)	Tiffany White (HSOP, P1)
Mallory James (HSOP, P1)	Pam Wilkins (HSOP, P2)
Kathryn Kollefrath (HSOP, P3)