PharmD candidates champion advocacy at OPA Student Legislative Day

On Feb. 19, Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students from The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy joined their peers in downtown Columbus for the annual Student Legislative Day.  

Ohio State turned out in record numbers, with 31 PharmD Buckeyes in attendance, accompanied by three faculty, a Fellow and a resident. All seven schools of pharmacy in Ohio were represented, offering opportunities for students to network with their future colleagues. 

Launched over a decade ago by the Ohio Pharmacists Association (OPA), this annual event immerses student pharmacists in the world of advocacy. 

“If we only train pharmacists to provide care without teaching them how to advocate for the value of that care, we’re not equipping them to fully improve their patients’ lives," said Jen Rodis, PharmD, associate dean of outreach and engagement at the Ohio State College of Pharmacy and president of OPA. "Advocacy is part of our professional oath, our accreditation requirements and our land-grant mission at The Ohio State University.” 

Before entering the grand rotunda of the Ohio Statehouse, students gathered at a nearby hotel with peers and OPA leaders to dive into the day’s key advocacy topics. Students were briefed by pharmacists and faculty on legislative topics and the social standards when engaging in professional advocacy conversations. The students then rushed to their respective appointments to connect with state legislators about pharmacy-related issues. 

“At the core, the meetings with legislators demonstrate to students that advocacy is not hard or scary,” Dr. Rodis said. “Attending a meeting with a representative or senator unveils the fact that legislators are people – more than that, they are people in students’ communities who are in their positions to serve their constituents.” 

Like many of the OPA pharmacists assisting with the day’s events, Bella Blankenship, PharmD, practice advancement and advocacy Fellow at the Ohio State College of Pharmacy, took part in her own Student Legislative Day while a student at Drake University in Iowa. 

“Thinking back to when I first attended and met with legislators, it was so intimidating,” Dr. Blankenship recalled. “But it’s wonderful to take my experience and empower today’s students as the experts and as constituents.” 

Among the students inspired by their legislative day experience is P2 and vice president of Pharmacy Council Melissa Wilmer. This was her second year attending Student Legislative Day and serving as a leader in the Student Advocacy Collaborative.  

Preceding this year’s event, Wilmer worked with the rest of the Student Advocacy Collaborative to coordinate Legislative Day Bootcamp for Ohio State students. The annual training session connects PharmD candidates to Ohio State faculty to polish their skills.  

“As a student, you don’t necessarily recognize your ability to make an impact on legislation and patient care,” Wilmer recalled. “Attending advocacy day or joining in on college events that encourage advocacy are really important to teach students what their power is.” 

Wilmer began to explore promoting the profession as a P1, when she was elected advocacy co-chair for the Ohio State chapter of the Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists (SSHP). Since that introduction, Wilmer has gone on to write letters to the General Assembly on proposed legislation, organized college advocacy initiatives and encouraged her classmates to get involved. 

“At Student Legislative Day, even if you feel small, you’re surrounded by others in white coats who want to make a difference," she said. "Together, we are significant."

Prepared from their morning of legislative study and rehearsal, the students had the chance to apply their expertise in pharmacy and engage with their assigned legislators.  

“The session has only just started, so there aren't many pharmacy bills on the table yet,” Dr. Blankenship said. “Instead, we encouraged students to connect legislators with the role of a pharmacist and bring them up to speed on the significant impact we have on our communities.” 

PharmD students sat in with staffers and legislators, broaching the topics of pharmacist accessibility, point-of-care testing and much more. They often found that the lawmakers had plenty of questions in return. 

“In pharmacy school, you’re in a kind of bubble,” Wilmer said. “When you’re surrounded by pharmacy professionals, of course you’re not going to see as many outside perspectives. Legislators at Student Legislative Day ask you questions that you wouldn’t encounter in the classroom, particularly tackling the personal aspects of pharmacy.” 

By the end of the day, Ohio’s student pharmacists had achieved a major milestone as champions of pharmacy. They will continue to have opportunities to exercise their power of advocacy, particularly as legislation begins to build in the Ohio General Assembly. 

“Finding a passion for advocacy was a surprise for me,” Wilmer recalled. “But speaking out for my patients and profession alongside others who are passionate about the topic – that told me it was something I needed to pursue further.”