The Laure l Phi Pharmacy Leadership Society National Newsletter http://www.philambdasigma.org

December 2014 Editor & Designer: Bernice Man Celebrating Phi Lambda Sigma’s 50th Anniversary! Save the Date! Saturday, March 28, 2015 PLS Annual House of Delegates Meeting and 50th Anniversary Banquet at the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Annual Meeting - San Diego, CA PLS is preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the organization in 2015! The Society’s anniversary plans include: • Creation of a 50th anniversary Key and Membership Certificate for all new initiates, which will also be available to all current members up through June 2015. • Holding a 50th anniversary awards banquet to follow the 2015 Annual House of Delegates meeting. • Developing the Charlie Thomas Leadership Challenge 2014-2015 with a focus on our history by challenging our chapters to recognize and celebrate our members (past, present, and future) by engaging their alumni and honorary members in chapter activities and projects over the next year. The top ideas will be recognized at the March 2015 Society meeting. • An organizational push to connect with PLS alumni and honorary members to continue the updating of the chapter and national membership databases by exhibiting at various regional and national meetings through 2015. Please visit the PLS website (http://www.philambdasigma.org) for the latest news and updates! Fifty Years of Leadership

By Megan Elavsky, Region 4 Liaison, Ashley Miller, Region 3 Liaison, Krutika Mediwala, Speaker of the House, and Bernice Man, Member-at-Large The following article is scheduled to appear in the January/February 2015 issue of APhA-ASP’s newsmagazine, Student Pharmacist. All successes have a beginning. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Phi Lambda Sigma (PLS), the pharmacy leadership society, whose mission is and continues to be to demonstrate exemplary leadership skills and service to the profession of pharmacy and mentorship to others. PLS History PLS was founded in March of 1965 by student pharmacist Charlie Thomas and faculty advisor C. DeWitt Blanton, PhD at the Auburn University School of Pharmacy. After a 2-year probationary period, the Auburn University Student Senate granted the first charter on October 3, 1967. With the deep belief that leaders needed recognition for their contributions to pharmacy practice, the Alpha chapter was formed. The society was established to promote positive, lasting encouragement and networking for leaders across all spectrums of pharmacy. In the 1970s, the fledgling organization boasted five chapters. Years later, the society is now 118 chapters and thousands of members strong. Throughout the country, the organization continues to grow and is comprised of the same pillars as when it started—leadership, service, and professionalism. In 1968, the name “Phi Lambda Sigma” was registered with the U.S. Bureau of Patents and Copyrights and an official key was designed by the Balfour Company. As the society started to grow, the fraternity aimed to springboard its notoriety with a small, initial budget of just $414 in its account. With a presence at APhA Annual Meetings, the society began to grow in recognition. After several moves, the organization has made its final transition to its current home at the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Pharmacy. Induction To recognize initiation into the society, each member receives an official key pin that bears a mortar and pestle, the symbol of the ethical pharmacist. Inscribed with the Greek letters Phi Lambda Sigma, the pestle is surrounded by a wreath of laurel representing leadership and wisdom. The society uses the colors green and gold, with green symbolizing strength and gold symbolizing fineness of character. At induction, members recite the society’s belief: “Just as the lighting of many candles from one does not diminish the light of the initial flame, so too adding other leaders to our circle does not diminish but rather strengthens the existing members so that, together, we can strengthen and shed light on our profession.” It is the belief of the society that leadership inspires and ignites leadership in others. The society does not exist to find followers, but to recognize and promote further leadership. Fifty Years of Leadership

PLS Progress The current Executive Director Mary Euler, PharmD, FAPhA has worked for PLS for 15 years and has been re-appointed since 2000. During her tenure, she has seen incredible progress, not only in numbers but also in services provided and the recognition of the society by schools and colleges of pharmacy. From 2000, the organization has doubled from 59 to 118 chapters and inducted more than 2,000 new members annually. With this growth, the society has added programs and recognitions including the Leadership Challenge; Advisor; Chapter of the Year; Alumnus; and Founder’s Awards. More recently, the society has also started making inroads into international membership opportunities. “Don’t be afraid to serve others through leadership,” said Euler. “It is a big commitment but the personal and professional reward is worth the time and energy. Every pharmacist can and should be a leader in some capacity, large or small, appointed, or elected. It takes all of us to move our profession forward and provide the services we pledge to our patients.” Celebration Plans Even after 50 years, PLS is still launching new approaches to leadership. Expansion into international pharmacy programs and interprofessional leadership development are just two of the initiatives being considered for the future. An exciting year lies ahead, as the society will celebrate its progress by sharing stories from members that inspire and ignite further innovation, achievement, and guidance. PLS will share memorable historical moments, important upcoming events, and specific updates through www.philambdasigma.org and its newsletter, The Laurel. Mark your calendars to join PLS in March at the 2015 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition in San Diego for its annual House of Delegates meeting and 50th anniversary banquet. PLS invites the profession of pharmacy to join in its celebration of leadership recognition and development and to begin the journey to advance positive change over the next 50 years. New PLS Committees This year, PLS created two new committees whose goals include discussing updates to the national by-laws and developing guideline documents for chapter by-laws and membership applications. The executive committee would like to thank the following committee members for their continued service and dedication to PLS. By-Laws Review Committee Membership Selection Committee Chair: Krutika Mediwala, Speaker of the House Chair: Bernice Man, Member-at-Large - Mohammed Abdulwahhab, LECOM - Bradenton - Dylan Atkinson, University of Pittsburgh - Nathan Darling, University of Maryland - Jasmine Ebron, University of Maryland - Hannah Fish, University of Toledo - Anthony Elia, Duquesne University - Randall Johnson, Xavier University of Louisiana - Dr. Adam Persky, University of North Carolina LECOM: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Beta Chi Annual Leadership Conference

Managing to be a Great Leader with Ron Culberson, MSW, CSP, CPAE Saturday, February 7, 2015 8am-4:15pm Hosted by the Beta Chi Chapter, South Carolina College of Pharmacy - MUSC Campus The College Center at Trident Technical College, Building 920, 7000 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC Leadership success comes from creating confidence in those you lead while creating an environment that attracts and keeps good people. In order to accomplish this success, you must manage yourself, manage the culture, and manage the people. This humorous but practical program helps participants learn that effective leadership requires well developed skills as well as a value-based leadership style. The presentation focuses on how leaders can create a culture that attracts and motivates by having quality in their processes and also include an element of fun. Program Learning Objectives At the conclusion of the program, the pharmacist and pharmacy technician will be able to: • Recognize the difference between seriousness and excellence in a healthcare environment • Manage stress by changing their perspective and seeing the humor that’s all around them • Improve relationships and motivate others through empathy, clarity, and humor • Develop effective presentation skills using yourself, stories, and humor • Create a culture in which quality processes, excellence, and fun coexist Registration Online: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Lgx5WJ6oHdQ-IaMdEufKtTiTeFGAH8gS1QftVd5-SZs/viewform $90 for healthcare professionals | $45 for health professions students (student ID must be presented at conference check-in) Credit card payments accepted online at https://squareup.com/market/phi-lambda-sigma. A convenience fee of 2.83% will be added to your tuition to cover online payment processing. Check payments also accepted - please make checks payable to Phi Lambda Sigma and mail to: Cathy Worrall, PharmD, BCPS, FAPhA, South Carolina College of Pharmacy 280 Calhoun Street, MSC 140, Charleston, SC 29425 Registration will not be confirmed until payment is received. For questions, please contact Cathy Worrall: (843) 792-8451 or [email protected]. Registration Deadline: Friday, January 30, 2015 No refunds available after this deadline. Continuing Education Credit - Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians This program is accredited for a total of 6.0 live contact hours. The South Carolina College of Pharmacy (SCCP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. Participants must sign-in at registration table at the beginning of the day and attend each program to obtain credit. No partial credit will be issued. Participants must complete an on-line evaluation within 30 days and update the NABP e-profile number and day/month of birth in order to have credit reported to the CPE monitor system and print CE certificate. This is a Knowledge-based Program. ACPE#0062-9999-15-001-L04-P | ACPE#0062-9999-15-001-L04-T PLS at APhA-ASP MRMs PLS at ASHP Midyear PLS Members Giving Back

By Dana Boeck, Region 6 Liaison and Kate O’Connor, Region 7 Liaison As the holidays approach, it is important to Gamma Beta Chapter reflect on the ways in which we are able to help Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy others. Phi Lambda Sigma chapters have been giving back to their communities throughout the year and acting as servant leaders in the profession of pharmacy. We congratulate all of you who have donated your time to volunteering in your local community and providing services to those in need. Through these acts of leadership, communities have received invaluable support and assistance. During this season of giving, let us Every two weeks, PLS members and volunteers reflect on the following examples that highlight from the Gamma Beta chapter at Loma Linda the acts of kindness fulfilled within our Phi University manage and run the pharmacy Lambda Sigma family. portion of a student-run health clinic in downtown Riverside, California. This clinic is Delta Omicron Chapter an interdisciplinary clinic where students work Concordia University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy closely with medical students, undergraduate At Concordia University of students, and dental students. All healthcare Wisconsin School of Pharmacy services provided are free to low-income and (CUWSOP), our Delta Omicron underprivileged patients. The students’ main chapter has harnessed and responsibility is to dispense medications and further developed the skills, provide consultations. They also deliver short experiences, and talents of medication therapy management services and their Basic Life Support (BLS) serve as a drug information resource for medical committee. This past summer, and dental students. four members of the Delta Omicron chapter took the initiative to become certified BLS Alpha Psi Chapter instructors. Through this leadership initiative, Southwestern Oklahoma State University CUWSOP was able to certify over 150 professional College of Pharmacy healthcare students. The committee was able At Southwestern Oklahoma State University, to develop awareness of the importance of students of the Alpha Psi chapters hosted strong leaders in the pharmacy profession and their First Annual Leadership Seminar. At this motivate pharmacy students to take on servant leadership seminar, they invited a professor of leadership opportunities. The committee is pharmacy management and administration to currently working to set up certification courses speak on the true colors assessment. This activity with other professional healthcare schools and helped students learn about their personality nursing homes, and is looking into the possibility type and how understanding other students’ of offering classes on a regular basis. “colors” can foster team development. Their chapter has also hosted other outreach events including the Annual (continued on the next page) PLS Members Giving Back

Agape Fundraising Luncheon, where they raised in their community. Over 300 people were over $24,000 for the Agape Clinic. The Agape served at this event. The members of the Alpha Clinic is a non-profit medical clinic located in Epsilon chapter gave away hundreds of items Weatherford whose mission is to help provide and also had a table set up for volunteers to medical therapy to those who cannot otherwise paint fingernails, which was very popular among afford it. The pharmacy of the clinic is run by attendees! Dr. Pray, one of SWOSU’s faculty members, and the staff of the pharmacy consists of our Upsilon Chapter pharmacy professors and local pharmacists from University of Houston College of Pharmacy the community. The pharmacy students work Last, but definitely not least, the Upsilon Chapter primarily in the pharmacy and conduct activities at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy just like any other community retail pharmacy. has been active in fostering leadership in their They also help with recommendations to doctors program and community. In the fall of 2014, based on medication availability and with triage. they teamed up with Be The Match, a national bone marrow organization, and educated the Chapter community about bone marrow donations. In this University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy effort, the chapter influenced over 80 people to register as potential bone marrow donors for those in need. The Upsilon chapter also hosted a blood drive with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center and was able to donate 27 units of blood. Giving back to the community is something that their chapter feels very strongly about and will continue to hold as a priority as the year progresses.

The Alpha Epsilon chapter at the University Thank you to all the PLS members who shared of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy worked how their chapter takes leadership to the next in conjunction with to collect level in the community. It is amazing to see that supplies such as shampoo, conditioner, lotion, we are making a difference all over the country. If soap, razors, emery boards, and deodorant for your chapter is interested in learning more about distribution at the City Rescue Mission Health Fair these and other service opportunities, please in Oklahoma City. The target population of the contact your designated regional liaison. Keep up health fair was homeless individuals and families the great work, everyone!

Deadlines to Keep in Mind! Email your chapter’s updated e-board information (if you haven’t already done so) to Kathlene Hawkins ([email protected]). 2/15/15 | Chapter Member of the Year Award (http://philambdasigma.org/Forms/ChapterMemberOfTheYearAwardForm.aspx) 2/15/15 | Chapter Alumni of the Year Award (http://philambdasigma.org/Forms/PLSChapterAlumnioftheYearAwardForm.aspx) 3/2015 (exact date: TBA) | Chapter Delegate & Alternate Delegate (http://philambdasigma.org/Forms/DelegateAppointmentForm.aspx) 3/2015 (exact date: TBA) | Intent to Run Form (President, SoH or MaL - http://philambdasigma.org/Forms/IntentToRunForm.aspx) 7/31/15 | Chapter Reports (Email to Dr. Euler: [email protected]) What’s In an Image?

By Nathan Darling, By-Laws Review Committee Member, PharmD Candidate 2015, University of Maryland I still remember the first time I heard of Phi Lambda Sigma. The members of the chapter at my school were respectable, hardworking individuals whom the student and faculty respected. These members worked hard for their local academic community: hosting events for charities, helping students with CV/resumé writing, or even working on critical speaking or interviewing skills that aren’t covered in normal pharmacy curriculums. These students were the ones who stood out in a crowd; they were the individuals who the visiting alumni, professors, or pharmacy advocates knew on a first name basis. There was one problem that I noticed quickly - if you asked the students at my school “What does PLS stand for?”, nobody could tell you. I heard responses ranging from “I think they are another of the fraternities” to “maybe they are another honors fraternity?” A similar response would happen if you asked students or faculty about which events PLS hosted; nobody could name more than one or two. It amazed me that a chapter of PLS, who hosted events on a near-weekly basis for the school, won awards, and represented the best and brightest leaders of our school, could have so few people recognize the organization. What was the problem then? Certainly not exposure, as I’ve never seen or heard of such a hard-working, dedicated group of individuals in my life. These students were the officers, the organizers, the movers and shakers of the school. Most, if not all, kept the same motivation in their careers and lives after graduation. The difference, it seemed, was in how the chapter presented itself. Students who were hosting events dressed in the same way that their peers did, with nothing to distinguish themselves visually. The same occurred when events would be advertised; there may be small fine print at the bottom that read “Hosted by Phi Lambda Sigma,” but that was it. Nothing stood out, nothing to set them apart from “Just another organization.” By the time I entered my third-year of pharmacy school and stepped on as president of my chapter, I knew this was a trend I wanted to change. Together with the help of my officers, I asked people to present themselves in a different way than we normally did when it came to our chapter. Students would wear cardigans or polo shirts that had the PLS logo on them. We ensured that our logo was prominent at our events and that event colors were always in the theme of green and gold. Students soon began to recognize the logo that represents our society and think of PLS whenever they saw the green and gold at events. Our members were easily recognizable and our events had a unique touch and image that was not present anywhere else. As leaders, sometimes we are so driven by what we do that people tend to get lost in the mix. What we represent and hold dear as a society does not always become a crystal clear message; it does not always become easily translated into the minds of those around us. Taking a step back and asking other students for their opinion of your chapter and what you represent as a society might be a rude awakening for many people! To avoid this, think of everything you do as part of a brand, much like any company you recognize while shopping. Having a distinct image, colors, or personality in what you do will become immediately recognizable with time and exposure to those around you. With a strong emphasis on leadership, dedication, honor, and devotion, your chapter will stand out more than any other organization around you. Your peers will soon find out that they turn to your chapter, knowing that you are the source of talent and dedication that makes people into leaders. Recruitment

By Anthony Elia, Membership Selection Committee Member, President, Eta Chapter, Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy Recruitment, one of the most actively discussed events where everyone in your organization is topics in any organization, is difficult for the best encouraged to participate. These events tend of organizations. There are many roadblocks to strengthen your organization as a whole and that impede organizations from adequately show your target audience the recognized leaders recruiting new members, whether it is induction of the school. This may inspire some within your fees, lack of interest, insufficient communication, target audience to aspire to join your organization etc. One encounters additional impeding because they see someone they respect and hope factors when trying to recruit for an honors to emulate. At my chapter, we host a leadership society such as Phi Lambda Sigma. Interestingly, lecture series where we discuss traits, values, and the key to successfully recruiting members development of leadership skills. Every member for your organization lies heavily on how the is required to perform one lecture per year. This organization is viewed, whether your organization promotes PLS’s mission of “recognizing leaders is a hidden honor, where only a select few are and fostering leadership development” and we deemed worthy to be inducted, or a well-known invite anyone who is in the pharmacy school so organization of highly involved, resourceful, and they may improve themselves and learn about professional individuals. leadership and PLS. Establish Your Target Audience A question one may now have now is, who is my “target audience”? The simple answer is to target everyone within your school or organization, not solely those who are eligible to apply for PLS. This might be a easier if you are in a 2-4 pharmacy program, as the majority of students in the program generally remain in the same university. For those in a 4-4 pharmacy program, it would Open Communication be advantageous to reach out to students in their third or fourth year of undergraduate school. This When your organization is viewed as an would not only help promote PLS but would also approachable and resourceful group of individual promote pharmacy, which is a vital key to keep leaders, the lines of communication are viewed our profession growing and prospering. as open between you and those you’re trying to recruit. Once this communication is established, Differentiate Yourself you need to create an all-enveloping presence An ever-growing concern and growing obstacle in your school to show that your organization for pharmacy students is time constraints. Apathy is everywhere. One way to accomplish this task for everything other than grades is on the rise. could be having Greek fraternity or sorority letters This leaves much to be desired when students created and having your members wear them apply for jobs, as many employers are eager to every week. Another way to open the lines of hire well-rounded students who are academically communication is by hosting multiple proficient and who have(continued on the next page) Recruitment involved themselves in social and organization- oriented activities. This provides PLS the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the importance of organizational involvement. Recruiters may be invited to come and speak about what they look for in an applicant. The ability to differentiate and market oneself is an essential skill that will show you have a greater depth and breadth of the student doesn’t get accepted but will have an experience as compared to your competition. experience from which they will hopefully learn. Application Process Groom Your Current Members The next challenge to be addressed is the Finally, the greatest and most powerful thing one application process. Every year the mention can do as a leader is to try to groom those already of the word “application” causes an increase in PLS into the best leaders they can be. Leaders in everyone’s blood pressure. Applications are are usually highly resourceful and highly regarded certainly a double-edged sword, as they help by their peers, which effectively turns them into objectively determine who should gain entrance the “peacock” of the school or organization; into PLS but also significantly decrease the everyone knows them recognizes them and in number of applicants. A tactic that is helpful in certain instances, will want to emulate them. By trying to retain your objectivity and increasing fostering good values and traits in those you are the number of applicants is to personally explain leading, you will effectively develop good leaders the process to potential applicants in order to who can and will benefit PLS and pharmacy as help attenuate the negative connotations of the a whole. The more people who are true leaders application process. Encouragement, passion and in your organization, the greater the perceived empowerment are the qualities that need to be worth of your organization. In summary the clearly articulated to the target group. The fact greatest things you can do as a leader to increase that everyone is on the same playing field and involvement and recruitment within your the need to step out of one’s comfort zone will be organization. Start early in their pharmacy career, required in order to achieve one’s full potential empower those with whom you are in contact, as a leader. By demonstrating a level playing field, foster leadership within your organization, and be you will show them that this is not something to the best leader you can be. fret over, and it’s best to try and fail than to not to have tried at all. In the worst-case scenario, PLS National Executive Committee Executive Director:Mary Euler, PharmD, FAPhA President: Brandon T. Jennings, PharmD President-Elect: Kami Dell, PharmD Immediate Past President: Alicia Bouldin, RPh, PhD Parlimentarian: Jillian Foster, PharmD, MBA Treasurer: Joe Bonnarens, PhD Webmaster: Lauren Willis, PharmD Administrative Support:Kathlene Hawkins, MSEd Speaker of the House: Krutika Mediwala Member-at-Large: Bernice Man Chapter Up d ate Gamma Epsilon Chapter, Midwestern University Chicago By Patrick Binaday, President, PharmD Candidate 2016 The Gamma Epsilon chapter at Midwestern University – Chicago College of Pharmacy (CCP) has been busy with various events on and off-campus. Fall quarter was a very exciting time for our chapter, as we welcomed the first-year pharmacy students to our campus! On September 18, 2014, our chapter held a “Pharmacy Leadership Information Session.” The purpose of this event was to aid students who will have new leadership positions for the upcoming school year as well as those who are interested in running for leadership positions, by providing useful information on the importance of leadership during pharmacy school and how to effectively balance leadership and school work. We invited presidents and other representatives from each pharmacy organization on campus to attend and provide leadership opportunities and membership information regarding their respective organizations. Our chapter also participated in Midwestern University’s annual Health Fair on October 4, 2014 at the Downers Grove Park District. The health fair consisted of more than 30 informational and interactive booths that aimed to educate the community about various health-related topics, including smoking cessation, self-care, and poison prevention. PLS members conducted glucose test screenings and provided free flu shots with the supervision of faculty advisors. Our PLS chapter partnered with APhA’s Generation Rx Initiative and hosted a “Proper Drug Disposal” booth during the health fair, in which we provided helpful tips to properly dispose expired and unused drugs. The most innovative and exciting initiative our chapter created last year was the “Professional Workshop Series.” Each quarter, we ask guest speakers to present different topics along with having an interactive “workshop” activity. This past fall quarter, our event focused on “CV Writing.” Our organization was very fortunate to have Dr. Jill Borchert as our guest speaker. Dr. Borchert is a faculty member and the Pharmacy Practice Residency Director at Midwestern University, which made her a great speaker as she exactly knows what residency programs and employers look for in potential candidates. Winter quarter will be as exciting and eventful as fall quarter for our chapter! We are planning our annual Etiquette Dinner event to foster professionalism in our student pharmacists. We will also participate in philanthropy events, such as volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House in downtown Chicago and at Feed My Starving Children, where we will pack meals for the needy. Our executive board members will also participate in Midwestern University’s annual “Snow Day,” in which we invite children from neighboring communities to enjoy interactive game booths we will set up. This winter quarter, our professional workshop series focuses on the importance of honing networking skills. In order to gain helpful insights on how to improve networking skills as student pharmacists, we will host a panel of four guest speaker pharmacists from different practices within the pharmacy profession. Finally, we are actively planning for our upcoming spring initiation and our executive board members are planning to hold a PLS Information Meeting to discuss the purpose and history of our organization, as well as the requirements and steps of the application process. Fostering Leadership Development Alpha Omicron Chapter, University of Cincinnati The Alpha Omicron Chapter of PLS at the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy at the University of Cincinnati has been working diligently to advance the mission of PLS: “To support pharmacy leadership commitment by recognizing leaders and fostering leadership development.” While we have continually recognized leaders at our college, our specific goal this year is to focus on fostering leadership development. Our chapter has taken on a very active role in pursuing this goal by holding several events and promoting opportunities of

Alpha Omicron Chapter 2014-2015 leadership throughout the college of pharmacy. Through the events we have held this year to support our goal in advancing leadership development, we have provided information to students about leadership positions, how to obtain leadership positions, and the importance of these roles. The Leadership Luncheon event served to introduce all of the organizations, their missions, and leadership positions available to the incoming PY1 students. This event was held at the beginning of the year and was intended to serve as an introduction to the new incoming class. We also set up a mentoring program for the PY1 students with PLS members to foster leadership development and provide guidance in the pursuit of leadership positions at the college. Turning our focus to the development of leadership with our current leaders holding positions at the college, we held an event just for the presidents and president-elects. The Lollipop Moments in Leadership event has been our most successful event thus far. This event was beneficial for the leaders to get to know one another better, and to understand where their specific leadership skills and styles came from. Knowing these details has enabled the leaders to enhance their working relationships, not only between the different organizations, but also within their own organizations. Next semester we have planned an event in which we will partner with APhA-ASP to bring in a speaker to present about the importance of holding leadership positions while attending pharmacy school. After the presentation, roundtable conversations with the leadership within the organizations at the college are planned so students may have the opportunity to ask specific questions as to what is expected in particular roles. This has been a very exciting year for us, and we are looking forward to holding more events to uphold the mission of PLS and produce remarkable leaders who will advance our profession. Chapter Up d ate Chapter Up d ate Beta Delta Chapter, University of Pittsburgh By Lana Avshalumov, Secretary, PharmD Candidate 2016 The Phi Lambda Chapter at the University of Pittsburgh began the school year by co-hosting the school’s annual Fall Leadership Retreat with Pitt’s chapter of APhA-ASP. The members of PLS developed various activities to encourage students at the retreat to take the lead on Dean’s Theme projects and find ways to help and motivate others to get involved. At the retreat, students also had time to work within their respective organizations to develop their ideas and plan their events for the school year with the Dean’s theme of Self Care in mind. PLS members have also been heavily involved in the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy mentoring program, in which PLS members and other student leaders serve as mentors to the P1 students. Each mentor is assigned to a small group of P1 students and is there to help these students transition into the pharmacy program throughout orientation and the school year. This also gives P1 students the opportunity to develop relationships with older students and learn about the different organizations and classes offered within pharmacy school. Mentors meet with their P1 mentees during orientation and throughout the fall and spring semesters. The mentors have all been very excited to work with the P1 students through the mentoring program this year! For the upcoming semester, PLS members will be helping with PharmD applicant interviews beginning in January. Members meet with applicants to give a tour of Salk Hall and answer any questions they may have about our PharmD program, what student life is like at Pitt, and how to get involved in the various student pharmacy organizations. We are excited to share our experiences and insight with prospective students, and wish them all the best of luck. In the midst of these activities, PLS members are also already planning for the annual PLS Charity Auction on February 5th, 2015 at the Hilton Garden Inn. The proceeds raised at this auction benefit the Grace Lamsam Foundation, which provides volunteer pharmacy services and medications to five underserved clinics in the Pittsburgh area. Members have been busy inviting School of Pharmacy faculty and staff to the auction as well as asking local businesses for donations. The auction is always a great success, and faculty members have really enjoyed the donations from student organizations. Last year’s annual PLS Auction was a huge success! Students and faculty members raised over $12,000 for the foundation, which was $4,000 more than the previous year. We’re looking forward to raising even more money for this wonderful foundation at this year’s upcoming auction!