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Rosalind Franklin University College of Pharmacy
The New President on the Block
by Jorie Kreitman, P3, Student Chapter President
I always wondered what my mark at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFU) would be when I stepped foot through the doors in August of 2014. In March 2016, my time came! My name is Jorie Kreitman, and I am a third year student and the new president of the RFU chapter of ICHP. I am honored to submit this write up to KeePosted and tell you a little bit about myself, my goals as president, and how my executive board is making our organization the best organization on campus.
I have been a member of ICHP since I was in my first professional year. I wanted to be involved but didn’t know quite where I fit in. I attended all the ICHP meetings, but that’s all I did. I sat, I listened, and I watched as former executive board members spoke with passion about this organization. I knew I wanted to become more involved with ICHP but did know at what level.
My moment of clarity actually came about after experiencing a personal loss, as I have overcome a lot since my first year at RFU. My stepfather of 20 years had committed suicide. This was my defining moment as it was when I knew that hospital pharmacy practice, including pursuing a residency and eventually specializing in mental health, was where my passion lied. This was not only a moment of sadness and tragedy for me, but it was the moment I knew I had definitely chosen the right career path at the young age of seven.
Being president is a big honor and I do not take it lightly. I want ICHP student chapter at RFU to be involved with more community outreach, more fundraising, and definitely more involvement with the on-campus community. I have put into place so many goals for myself, both professionally as well as personally. I have set standards high not only because it will help me, but because it will help this organization.
My executive board is the backbone of the student chapter of ICHP at RFU and they’re the reason this organization is thriving and our goals are being achieved. We have already planned our first fundraiser. We have a photographer coming in to take professional headshots for all College of Pharmacy students, staff and faculty for LinkedIn pictures or any other professional need. The philanthropy chair has been in touch with the Midwestern ICHP student chapter and we will be participating in a joint event. This event is called “Out of the Darkness” and it raises awareness about suicide, which is something very close to my heart.
As far as our involvement on campus, we have been very successful. We had our largest group of students and faculty attend the annual meeting in Oakbrook, with 25 students and 7 faculty in attendance. Witnessing how much work my executive board has put into this organization was a moment of pure joy for me, and it reconfirmed the notion that I could not do this whole “president” thing if it weren’t for the executive board.
Looking at ICHP’s future at RFU, I see nothing but great strides forward and many future accomplishments. Within the first two months of school, our chapter of ICHP has really gone above and beyond. We plan to continue to work just as hard as we have over the summer and these first two months at school to ensure the winter and spring quarter are just as productive throughout the 2016-2017 academic year.
