Print This Article

New Practitioners Network
Another Trip around the Sun - NPN Year in Review

by Colleen Bohnenkamp, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP

It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly a year since I was inducted as the New Practitioner Network Chair at the 2016 Annual Meeting. While it’s bittersweet to pass the torch to our new leader, Bernice Man, I am feeling nostalgic in recapping the events and initiatives the NPN has participated in this past year.

We kicked off the year with our 3^rd Annual participation in the Juvenile Diabetes One Walk in October along the Chicago Lakefront Trail. As Ron Santo was a huge supporter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF), there was such an electricity in the air as the Cubs were approaching their World Series Championship. As a team, we raised over $500 for the JDRF.

Fast forward to Spring, where the NPN participated in our 4^th Annual Ronald McDonald House (RMH) Event, where we prepared and served brunch to the families staying at the RMH. This was the first year that we volunteered at the location in Hines, IL.  It was an excellent turnout with a lot of student support. Additionally, we hosted our inaugural networking and educational dinner sponsored by Sanofi. We learned about the new PCSK9 inhibitor alirocumab over a delicious dinner at Sullivan’s Steakhouse in downtown Chicago. This event was very well attended by New Practitioners and we hope to continue this networking event in the future.

We welcomed many new residents and students to our committee this summer and hosted the 2^nd Annual Residency Social. Over 25 Chicagoland residents met at Millennium Park to socialize, relax, and enjoy the Movie, La La Land.

Many new members have joined our E-board over the past year, and there has been renewed student involvement in our monthly conference calls. Our members have authored articles ranging from working in Thailand to lecturing at their alma mater.

I am truly honored to have had the opportunity to lead such dedicated and talented individuals and to collaborate with the entire ICHP Staff. Involvement in the NPN has fostered my leadership and organizational skills, kept me in touch with what’s happening within ICHP on an organizational level, reconnected me to the University level, and introduced me to organizational leadership.

If you are interested in becoming more involved with ICHP and are within 10 years of graduation, I invite you to join us at some of our upcoming events:

• Ronald McDonald House Brunch: March 31, Chicago, IL
• Collaboration with the Schweitzer Fellowship: ongoing, email Bernice Man for details
• Networking/Educational Dinner Program: Winter 2017, TBD

If you would like to become more involved in the NPN, consider joining our e-board. The time commitment is minimal, but the opportunities are endless! We have monthly, hour long conference calls and encourage participation in at least one other ICHP Committee or Division. Email Bernice.man@uchospitals.edu for more information!

With Gratitude,

Colleen Bohnenkamp, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP

NPN Chair 2016-2017