OLIVIA TERRELL- ATTENDING AN ACADEMIC CONFERENCE: ARKANSAS PHARMACY ASSOCIATION (2-3 POINTS)

        I attended the Arkansas Pharmacy Association Conference, which brought together pharmacists, pharmacy students, educators, and healthcare leaders to discuss current issues and advancements in the field of pharmacy practice.  The conference primarily focused on patient-centered care, evolving roles for pharmacists, medication safety, and public health engagement.  I found the conference to be very inspiring, especially after hearing practicing pharmacists discuss real-world challenges and innovations in clinical and community pharmacy settings.  It expanded my understanding of how dynamic and impactful the profession can be beyond traditional dispensing roles.

Many discussions were directly connected to my Health Science and pre-pharmacy coursework, particularly topics related to pharmacotherapy, health equity, and patient education.  Concepts such as medication adherence, chronic disease management, and interdisciplinary care reinforced material I’ve learned in my science courses and public health discussions.  This experience contributed to my academic growth by helping me see how classroom knowledge translates into patient outcomes, and it motivated me to think more critically about how pharmacists serve as accessible healthcare providers in diverse communities.

One of the best aspects of the conference was the range of perspectives shared, from seasoned pharmacists to students.  Through conversation, we discussed current events in pharmacy that expanded the scope of practice within clinical and community-based roles.  Overall, this experience reinforced my aspiration to pursue a career in pharmacy with a focus on community health and education.  Moving forward, I plan to attend more conferences that align with patient advocacy, public health, and equitable access to care.

Olivia Terrell