Guest Blogger: Dimiana Kolta, PharmD student, Temple University School of Pharmacy
Over the past five weeks, I had the opportunity to complete a professional experience with the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA). Going into this experience, I expected to learn more about professional organizations, but I ended up gaining a much broader understanding of the pharmacy profession and everything that happens behind the scenes to support pharmacists across Pennsylvania. This rotation helped me understand the important role professional organizations play in supporting pharmacists, advocating for the profession, and improving patient care in Pennsylvania.
During my rotation, I worked on a variety of projects that strengthened both my professional and leadership skills. One of my main assignments was reading and answering questions from Professional Practices in Association Management: The Essential Resource for Effective Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations. Topics included governance, human resources, financial management, enterprise risk management, and strategic planning.
At first, I wasn’t sure how these topics related to pharmacy, but I quickly realized that these concepts are essential for running successful nonprofit organizations and even managing a pharmacy in the future. They gave me a better understanding of leadership, budgeting, and the importance of planning for long-term success. Understanding these principles gave me a greater appreciation for the work that organizations like PPA do behind the scenes to support pharmacists and advance the profession.
One of the highlights of this rotation was that PPA gave me the opportunity to meet with my state Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill, Majority Caucus Chair, Senate District 28 to discuss my journey as a pharmacy student, my career goals, the important role pharmacists play in our healthcare system, and why to advance pharmacists scope of practice. It was inspiring to have the opportunity to speak directly with an elected official about issues affecting the pharmacy profession and to advocate for the value pharmacists bring to patient care. This experience showed me that pharmacists are not only healthcare providers but also advocates for their patients and their profession.
As someone who hopes to pursue a career in community pharmacy after graduation, this rotation was especially valuable. Community pharmacists are often the most accessible healthcare professionals, and I learned that being involved in organizations like PPA helps pharmacists stay informed, continue learning, and advocate for changes that benefit both patients and the profession. I also saw how much work goes into developing continuing education programs that help pharmacists keep their knowledge and skills up to date. As pharmacy continues to evolve, staying current with new therapies, regulations, and best practices is essential for providing safe and effective patient care.
Looking back, I gained much more from this rotation than I expected. It helped me develop professionally, strengthened my communication skills, and gave me a greater appreciation for advocacy and leadership in pharmacy. It also reinforced my interest in community pharmacy and reminded me of the importance of staying involved in professional organizations throughout my career.
While pharmacy school provides the clinical knowledge needed to care for patients, this experience introduced me to the business and leadership aspects of pharmacy, including budgeting, strategic planning, organizational management, and team leadership. Whether I am counseling patients, advocating for the profession, or managing my own pharmacy, the knowledge and experiences I gained through PPA will continue to guide me. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from dedicated pharmacy leaders, and this experience has inspired me to stay involved in professional organizations and continue contributing to the future of pharmacy throughout my career.
