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Directly Speaking
There’s More to Life Than Pharmacy

by Scott A. Meyers, Executive Vice President

Pharmacy has been a big part of my life but it is not my life.  I got into pharmacy to help people and anyone who says pharmacists don’t help people sit in the corner and think about it.  But I have found that I can help people in many other ways than just helping them get better outcomes from their medications.  And so can you!

Over the last year and a half, ICHP has tried to guide our members to support specific charitable organizations.  This year we’re focused on the American Heart Association (AHA), a great organization with a strong history fighting one of the biggest killers each year - heart disease.  We are encouraging members to walk with AHA in Rockford, Oak Brook, and Carterville.  Check our website for more details.  Members can also sponsor walkers or just donate directly to the AHA.

But there’s more ways to help and we certainly don’t want to dictate which charitable efforts you support.  In fact, we encourage each and every one of you to seek out a volunteer opportunity that satisfies your own interest, cause, or concern.  And if there is an opportunity to share your experience with others, let us know at the ICHP office and we’ll post the event on our Community Service page of the ICHP website!  Did you know we have one?  It can be found under the members’ tab on the home page.

So that means if you need sponsors for your marathon run, 5K walk, or local paint-a-thon, let us know in advance and we’ll see if we can’t drum up some support!  If you have raw energy and no place to burn it, take a look at the Community Service page and maybe you’ll find a new passion. 

For many years, my church held a volunteer event every June (including this year) called Sharefest, which started out painting, cleaning and renovating Rockford Public Schools.  I volunteered for a few years, increasing my participation a little each year until I was asked to become a team leader.  I learned a lot, met a ton of great people, and had great personal experiences that still generate warm memories.  But I also learned to paint fairly well.  Something pharmacists don’t learn in school but something we all eventually deal with personally or through someone we hire.  The accomplishment of a nicely painted room can also provide a rewarding feeling especially if you never thought you would do it.

During my volunteer experiences I’ve done a lot of things that I never dreamed of doing and learned a lot along the way.  But more importantly, I’ve gained great friends, helped others less fortunate, and generated fond memories.  If you haven’t got a regular volunteer job that you enjoy regularly, this summer is a great time to look for one. 

Volunteering relieves stress by taking your mind off your problems and focusing on the needs of others.  Volunteering helps you meet new people, including some who may help you build a professional network.  Volunteering gets you out of the house, away from your home computer or cell phone (at least you have to put it down when you’re working) and more often than not gets you some much needed exercise.

Sure, it can cost you a little in travel expenses and supplies (sometimes) but the ROI is amazing!  And if you can’t physically participate, you can always donate.  And if you are the recipient of sponsorship donations, don’t forget to report back to all those who donated with the results and the highlights of how the event went!  It’s great to hear marathon times and exciting moments or see pictures of paint-splattered workers with big smiles and speckled faces.

Take volunteering seriously and you will be surprised what fun you can have!  With just over two years until my retirement from ICHP, I’ve already begun thinking of new ways to add to my volunteer resume.  I’m sure Sharefest will be a part of it along with the other church related positions I already have but my guess is that I will join my wife on Wednesdays at the local food pantry and maybe find my own gig with the Rockford Park District or a local homeless shelter.  It doesn’t take much effort to identify our communities’ needs and only a little more effort to jump in and start meeting them.  There is more to life than pharmacy!