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Official Newsjournal of the Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists

Meet Sharon Karina

Feature Article

My name is Sharon Karina, and I am a fourth-year pharmacy student. I was born in Germany to military parents and spent my years moving from North Dakota to Mississippi and almost everywhere in between. I originally worked in the telecommunications industry, but when I was able, I graduated with high honors with an Associates in Science from Triton College and was accepted into the Doctor of Pharmacy program at Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy.

My rotation with the Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists (ICHP) landed in our block 6, which means I am in the home stretch to graduation. I choose this site as an elective because I have met many leaders within pharmacy who are involved with ICHP and I wanted to better understand their participation, motivation, and what was being done at the association level. I always let curiosity and “why” drive me and while I had no idea what this rotation would truly entail, I knew that it would help me further develop my skills and maybe even uncover new ones.

At the time of this writing I have made it halfway through the rotation. During this time I have been able to participate in all aspects of association leadership and management, from the annual Board of Directors meeting to many conference calls and meetings that drive the success of ICHP. I have had the opportunity to edit CE programs for content, brainstorm efficient ways of monitoring proposed legislation, research and develop member engagement strategies, and many other equally important responsibilities. Because my rotation occurred close to Legislative Day, most of my duties centered around advocacy and government affairs, including a special opportunity to sit in on an Illinois Board of Pharmacy meeting as well as two Pharmaceutical Task Force meetings. I especially enjoyed listening to the approach of the Pharmaceutical Task Force as they discussed proposed legislation that would affect all pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, students, and every facet of practice.

In my free time, I love to travel, learn, or hitch a ride on a sailboat on Lake Michigan in the summer. I am also an avid equestrian at heart, and enjoy jumping (poorly) and look forward to learning to play polo this spring at the Barrington Hills Polo Club. I love to give back to our community and currently volunteer on the Young Professionals Board at the American Heart Association and as a mentor to high-achieving city college students with One Million Degrees. I hope to continue to challenge myself to be a better pharmacist, mentor, and leader as my career develops.