APhA-ASP

Representing every area of pharmacy practice, The American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists is the oldest and largest pharmaceutical association both at the University of Kansas and nationally. The mission of the academy is to be the collective voice of student pharmacists, to provide opportunities for professional growth, to improve patient care, and to envision and advance the future of pharmacy.

Organization Contact:

Ellie Flynn | KU APhA-ASP President | Elliephant1221@ku.edu

Officers and Advisors —

Executive Officers

As the largest organization in the School of Pharmacy, we offer a multitude of leadership positions for members of any class. 

  • President - Ellie Flynn
  • President Elect - Paige Holopirek
  • Patient Care VP - Joelle Frady 
  • Finance VP - Breanna Shearer
  • Policy VP - Adison Hoppas
  • Membership VP - Madison Shotton
  • Communications VP - Gabby Findley
  • International VP - Jenna Hickman
  • Administrative Operations VP - Emma Schulz
  • Wichita Patient Care VP - Jonathan Oritz
  • Wichita Affairs - Grace Boyd
  • Pharmacy Awareness Coordinators - Rabab Fatima, Rachel Park and Julia Koffman
  • Fundraising Chair - Mary Fritz
  • Social Chairs - Abby Noble and Makenzie Flax
  • Community Service Chair - Cac Vinh Nguyen
  • Operation Immunization Chairs - Paolo Alara and Shalon Mwangi
  • Operation Heart Chair - Samar Abood
  • Operation Diabetes Chair - Jordan Smith
  • Operation Reproductive Health Chair - Emily Lancaster
  • Operation Substance Use Disorder - Emily Scott
  • OTC Medicine Safety Chair - TBD (Email Ellie Flynn to apply. Open to all students including incoming P1 students.)
  • Patient Counseling Competition Chair - Madison O'Connell
  • JayDoc Clinic Coordinators - Joseph Parks and Madalyn Edmonds
  • Operation Immunization Chairs (Wichita)- Thomas Barnaby and Vy Lam
  • Operation Diabetes Chair (Wichita) - Tyler Nickel
  • Operation Substance Use Disorder (Wichita) - Melvin Le
  • Patient Counseling Competition Chair (Wichita) - Dena Esmaeili and Emily Woods

Advisors

Community Service —

  • The organization participates in the six nationally recognized patient care projects of Operation Immunization, Operation Diabetes, Operation Heart, OTC Medicine Safety, Operation Reproductive Health and Operation Substance Use Disorder. In addition to this we do various other community outreach events such as community health fair participation, packing care kits for shelters in the community and providing student pharmacist volunteers at the JayDoc clinic.
  • In 2023, the chapter was recognized as 1st place for the Innovative Programming Award in Region 6 for our work volunteering at the JayDoc clinic and the addition of specialty nights. Our chapter members had the opportunity to present on the work we have done at the APhA Annual Meeting in 2024.
  • In 2022, the chapter was recognized for 1st place in Region 6 for Operation Substance Use Disorder for our efforts to impact the community by providing education, and hosting Naloxone and Mental Health First Aid trainings.

Events and Meetings —

  • 2024 General Body Meetings (All are at noon in room 2020 at the School of Pharmacy)
    • 8/28, 9/25, 10/30, 11/20, 12/11
  • Kansas Pharmacist Association Annual Meeting and Trade Show
    • KPhA's mission is to preserve, protect and advance Kansas pharmacy practice through education, engagement, and advocacy. The annual meeting and trade show provides opportunities for students, pharmacists, and technicians to grow further int their career and network!
    • 8/23-8/25 (2024) in Manhattan, Kansas
    • Email Ellie Flynn if you are interested in attending!
  • Midyear Regional Meeting
    • MRM is the only meeting in the United States held specifically for student pharmacists. Each meeting provides an opportunity for student pharmacists to participate in leadership development, network with fellow students, explore career opportunities with potential employers, take part in the policy and advocacy process, and celebrate the achievements of APhA-ASP chapters both live and virtually.
    • 11/1-11/3 (2024)
    • Campus Watch Party or Live in Washington, D.C.
  • APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition
    • The APhA Annual Meeting and Exposition is the most comprehensive meeting for pharmacy professionals and future leaders in pharmacy. Learn about leadership, career opportunities, patient safety, and much more from nationally recognized experts.
    • 3/21-3/23 (2025)
    • Nashville, TN
  • Legislative Day
    • The annual Day with the Legislature brings pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and student pharmacists together to engage in face-to-face grassroots advocacy with Kansas lawmakers. It provides an opportunity to meet with representatives and senators at the Kansas State Capitol and help advance our priorities into this year’s legislative session! APhA-ASP hosts an annual health fair for legislatures and employees of the capitol to provide education.

Professional Development

  • Student Pharmacist Magazine
    • Written by student pharmacists for student pharmacists, Student Pharmacist Magazine provides the latest on career preparation, leadership, legislative activities and advocacy efforts, patient care projects, APhA–ASP Chapter innovations, life on rotation, tips from new practitioners, and more. Several KU chapter members have written publications in the magazine!
    • "Student well-being versus pharmacy school stress" - Ellie Flynn, 2023
    • "JayDoc allows students to apply skills in the real world" - Camille Addison and Katlyn Loper, 2022
    • "My stem cell donation journey" - Priscilla Liu, 2022
  • PharmFlix
    • The PharmFlix Video Contest is a way for student pharmacist to showcase their professionalism while also expressing their creativity by creating short public service announcements (PSA). PSAs can be of various genres including, but not limited to, documentaries, parodies of pop-culture, commercials, music videos, and movie trailers. Chapters are encouraged to work with their school or college of pharmacy, members, and the public to create their PharmFlix Video. Our chapter was deemed the winner of the KPhA annual video contest in 2023!
  • Letter writing campaigns
    • Because policy and advocacy is such a unique aspect to our organization, we regularly stay up to date with any legislation that is being passed at the local and national level. In an effort to advance all of our profession, we host various letter writing campaigns for chapter members to write to their state representatives to help pass legislation that would benefit our profession. Several students have even had the opportunity to speak at the state and national capitols to voice their concerns and advocate for all pharmacists. 
  • KNPN Professional Development Series
    • Every year, a speaker from the Kansas New Practitioners Network presents on letters of intent, resumes, CVs, and interview tips. This is only open for chapter members and they can also earn professional development credit through the School of Pharmacy.

Membership and Fees —

  • Visit the national website and press “Join Now” to enroll and pay national dues $49  https://www.pharmacist.com/membership/apha-asp
  • $10 in Chapter Dues paid via Venmo (Kuasp)
  • These fees include membership of our chapter, national APhA-ASP, KPhA, and the International Pharmaceutical Students Federation.

History —

  • The American Pharmacist Association was founded in 1852 to serve as the collective voice for all of pharmacy no matter the area of practice and includes technicians as well. The Academy of Student Pharmacists was created in 1969 to allow student pharmacists to connect across the nation to advance the future of pharmacy. Our chapter has a great reputation for winning regional and national awards and having students hold regional and national officer positions throughout the years.