APA Legislative Day 2008
labama pharmacists, gathered in Montgomery on Thursday, February 28, 2008 for the annual “Alabama Pharmacy Legislative Day,” an event sponsored by the Alabama Pharmacy Association.
The goal of the event is to provide an opportunity for Alabama pharmacists to learn about important legislation that might impact the practice of pharm-acy in the state of Alabama; allow pharmacists to interface with Alabama legislators and provide input on the pharmacist's and APA position on these bills; and showcase the profession of pharmacy through a health fair.
Distinguished Visitors
The day started with a breakfast meeting which was a social way of assessing the tasks before the team. First, APA provided a legislative overview to remind everyone of possible upcoming bills regarding pharmacy. The pharmacists then welcomed Medicaid Commissioner Carol Steckel, Speaker of the House Seth Hammett and Senator Steve French who addressed the group.
Student Pharmacist, faculty and Staff Set Up for a Busy Morning's Work
Harrison School of Pharmacy and Samford's McWhorter School of Pharmacy joined forces to provide health screening services for the legislators and their staffs. A record number of student pharmacists, a total of 60, turned out for this event. All classes, from P1's to P4's, assisted in the group effort.
Services provided included weight and body composition analysis, cholesterol screenings, blood pressure checks, cardiovascular risk assessments, smoking cessation counseling, and osteoporosis screenings.
Results
At the end of the morning, though all stations were busy, cholesterol tests were the most requested with 97 screenings performed. Pharmacy students talked with legislators throughout the day. Many pharmacists and student pharmacists scheduled appointments with their representatives after the health fair to discuss issues important to pharmacy.
A highlight of the day was having the chance to observe a live legislative session from the 6th floor balcony of the Alabama State House. Before departing for home, the group convened at the APA Office on
Carmichael Road to enjoy lunch.
HSOP Faculty and Staff in Attendance:
Kimberly Braxton Lloyd, member of APA Board of Trustees; chair of the APA Professional Education Committee & Director of AU Pharmaceutical Care Center
Lee Evans, Dean of the Harrison School of Pharmacy
Emily Mann, Operations Director of AUPCC. Mann coordinated all health fair activities.
Stacy Negley, HSOP Coordinator for Alumni & Development
Dave Brackett, HSOP Pharmacy Practice Department
Bernie Olin, Director of the HSOP Drug Information Center.
Dr. Olin precepted this event.Jared Johnson, HSOP Assistant Clinical Professor
HSOP Student Pharmacists in Attendance:
Mitch Robinson P3 Megan Widener P3 Lance Miller P4 Shineka Weeks P2 Nicholas Beyda P3 Emile Bordelon P3 Matthew Jenkins P3 Jonathan Bunn P3 Britt White P4 Jessica Gresham P2 Greg Peden P4 Gabrielle Solek-Tefft P2 Jacob Clopton P4 Jigar Trivedi P3 Emily McLain P2 Marquita Bradshaw P2 Joshua White P4 Brittany Autry P2 Ziad Bouakar P3 Tarik Bouakar P3 Ashley Getting P2 Amy Sponsler P2 Jana Wheeler P3 Marie Aldridge P2 Erin Willis P4 Sarah Waldrop P2 Katie Brezenger P4 Megan Burgess P3 Ashley McIntyre P3 Mandy Hancock P3 We wish to thank these sponsors: ACPI, Walgreens, Fred's Pharmacy, Health Med, Pfizer and Sanofi-Aventis. We also wish to express appreciation to the Harrison School of Pharmacy and the Auburn University Pharmaceutical Care Center for their support of this event.
