MCPHS University Ends American Pharmacists Month With a Bang

As the month of October has come to a close, MCPHS University in Boston, Massachusetts, ended what is nationally recognized as

American Pharmacists Month

on a high note.

For the past 8 years, the school has hosted an event celebrating and promoting the pharmacy profession on campus. Organized by the university’s National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) student chapter, the event features a collaboration of 12

pharmacy organizations and 4 professional fraternities.

The hour-and-a-half-long event is open to students of all years and majors. Participating organizations each have a table set up to discuss issues that range from drug abuse, to healthy living, to HIV awareness, to legislative updates, to pharmacy residencies. Additionally, the event focuses on the importance of pharmacists and the role they play in the health care system. Hundreds of students attended this year's event.

^{PharmD student and President of the ASHP student chapter, Steven Garguilo talks to students about the benefits of joining ASHP}

“The main goal of the event is to help students get involved with organizations on campus, which ultimately will help them grow and shape their career goals,” said Eleni Peterson, PharmD student and president of the NCPA student chapter. “My hope is that the event contributes in a small way to the pharmacy profession by helping to guide future pharmacists.”

Last year, the event won MCPHS University’s annual Event of the Year Award for its work in promoting professional collaboration and advancing the pharmacy profession.

^{A group of students from the NCPA student chapter, pictured with club advisors Susan Jacobson and Joseph Ferullo.}

The event marks the closing of the American Pharmacists Month celebration. Throughout October, pharmacy organizations, colleges, and pharmacies across the country have spotlighted pharmacists’ contributions toward improving health care.

“The purpose of dedicating a whole month to celebrate pharmacy is to stress the importance of the profession and gain recognition that we, as pharmacists, are key in the health care team,” Peterson stated.