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Official Newsjournal of the Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists

Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy
A Grateful Reflection of Three Years of Membership

by Lisa Marie Nguyen, PS-3, ICHP Student Chapter Treasurer

As a member of ICHP’s Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy chapter for the past three years, I want to take this opportunity to reflect back on the time I have spent. My first year of pharmacy school was overwhelming, to say the least; it was a grueling ‘sink or swim’ method of immersing myself into learning more about a profession I had previously only scratched the surface of. I knew that I had to join an organization that would give me an opportunity to explore the profession and would also cultivate my professionalism. During the organizational fair held on campus my first year, ICHP’s enthusiastic executive board members who were advertising the organization intrigued me. They told me of the opportunities a membership would provide and I was hooked.

In order to remain close to an organization that best reflects my ideals of a future pharmacist, I took on the integral role of secretary during my second year. Later, after attending the Annual Meeting in Oakbrook Terrace, I learned about the various career paths available in the field of pharmacy and I continued to nurture my curiosity and interests through various speaker events and roundtable opportunities. My third year gave me an opportunity to be a treasurer for SSHP, a role that gave me the opportunity to explore a new position and learn new skills. I continued to grow and foster my love of the profession by attending all of the events and collaborating with my wonderful executive board members. It is with a sad and heavy heart that I move on to my final year as a rotation student.

I hope my future role in pharmacy will allow me to demonstrate my passion for our profession of pharmacy and continue the mission statement of ICHP of “Advancing Excellence in Pharmacy.” I will not forget the invaluable lessons I learned from being a student leader in ICHP and the sage advice I received from practitioners I was fortunate enough to meet. I plan on continuing to be an active member of ICHP throughout my career as a pharmacist and I will continue to advocate for the profession of pharmacy. I am, and will forever be, grateful for the opportunity to serve in an organization that fosters professional growth in students.