Making Life-Long Friends Through ICHP

by Holly McMaster, CPhT, ICHP Technician Representative
December 15, 2008

In last month’s article, I referred to all the great things that being an ICHP member has done for me. But I forgot one of the most important things…meeting my best friend Beth Barker. It all started about 8 years ago. Iwas attending an ICHP Spring meeting in Champaign/ Urbana, when we met for the ‘second’ time. The first time we met was the ICHP Annual meeting before that in Springfield, but I don’t remember that meeting (although she does). We hung out and went shopping in Urbana after the meeting and found out that we had a lot in common. We’ve been great friends ever since. We often drive the 3 hours to visit each other at work and we learn a lot from each other. Her co-workers are so nice to me; it’s like a home away from home. It’s always amazing to me how different pharmacies work. We exchange great ideas to incorporate into our own workplaces. We both work in a rural hospital setting, so we can relate to each other’s work issues, too. I’m trying to get her more involved in ICHP. She is planning on it for the future, but has previous commitments right now. I’m even hoping she will run for Tech Rep, but not until my term is up. I would hate to run against her. Whenever I can, I drag her along to ICHP events. I know you have seen her; she has been photographed many times in the KP standing next to me. She is very passionate about her career and keeps updated on any new laws and regulations that may affect pharmacy techs. There are many miles between us (too many), but knowing she is only a phone call away is a relief. It’s great to have someone that really understands what our day is like. That’s what friends are for. I have made many life-long friends during my years with ICHP. I hope as you are reading this you will be thinking of all the friends you have made. It is surprising how many there are. I believe in fate and that everything happens for a reason. So I would like to take this time to thank ICHP for bringing Beth into my life.

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