The American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) will be hosting a program focused on leadership and professional development in collaboration with Amgen, Cardinal Health and Rite Aid on the weekend of July 15-17.
The programming will take place in Washington, D.C. with an expected attendance of 240 student pharmacists, all of whom will visit 125 Congressional offices on Capitol Hill.
Keith D. Marciniak, Senior Director of Student and New Practitioner Development for the APhA, emphasized what a unique opportunity it is for student pharmacists to meet with Congress on Capitol Hill.
“As a constituent and a student pharmacist, meeting in-person with Congressional representatives and/or their staff is the most effective way to promote pharmacy-specific legislative issues and develop relationships with lawmakers,” he said. “Members of Congress and their staff know that an issue is important when their constituents and voters take the time to travel all the way to Washington, D.C., to meet with them in person and share their personal stories.
Those same officials also tend to put more stock into messages and opinions from those with whom they have relationships, Marciniak added. "Capitol Hill visits are that initial step toward developing those relationships.” he said.
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