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.

Paige Holopirek | KU APhA-ASP President | pcholopirek@ku.edu

Officers and 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 2025, the chapter was recognized as the national Division A Winner within the overall Chapter Achievement Award. This is the largest award possible at the national level, and we could not have won without all our active members. Our chapter members had the opportunity to be recognized on the work we have done at the APhA Annual Meeting in 2025.
• In 2025, the chapter was recognized as 1st Runner-Up nationally in Over-the-Counter Medicine Safety patient care category. Our chapter members had the opportunity to be recognized on the work we have done at the APhA Annual Meeting in 2025.
   

Events and Meetings —

• 2025 General Body Meetings (All are at noon in room 2020 at the School of Pharmacy)
  • Dates to be determined
• 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!
  • 8/21-24/2025 in Lawrence, Kansas
  • Email Paige Holopirek 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.
  • 11/7-9/2025
  • Campus Watch Party in Lawrence
• 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.
  • 3/27-30/2025
  • Los Angeles, California
• 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 legislators 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!
  • "Finding Joy in Life's Little Projects” – Madison Shotton, 2025
  • “Day in the Life of a Jayhawk” – Adison Hoppas, 2025
  • “From Lab to Patient Care” – Jenna Shawa, 2025
• 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!
• 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 of $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.