In addition to networking, exploring the Exhibit Hall, being adopted for the Annual Banquet and attending for free, specific student programming is a great reason to make sure to be at the MPA Annual Convention & Exposition Feb. 24-26 at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. Register now!

Student Pharmacist Activities

Friday, Feb. 24

• 7:30 a.m.-4:20 p.m. - Students are welcome to attend any program scheduled during this time. See the Friday programming page for the most up-to-date listing.
  
  
• 1-2 p.m. - Special Exhibit Hall Hours for Student Pharmacists
  (Renaissance Ballroom, Level 4)
  The Exhibit Hall will be open from noon until 3 p.m.; however, students are encouraged to visit the Exhibit Hall during these special hours to receive personalized attention from the exhibitors. See the Exhibit Hall map for the most up-to-date listing of exhibitors.
  
  
• 4:30-5:50 p.m. - Opening Session: Building the Next Generation of Health Care (Ambassador Ballrooms 2-3, Level 3)
  B. Douglas Hoey, R.Ph., executive vice president and chief executive officer, National Community Pharmacists Association, Alexandria, Va.
  At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to provide an overview of the community pharmacy marketplace, including demographic, economic and patient care services offered. Participants should also be able to describe the value of individualized responsibility for pharmacists to use political advocacy to positively influence their profession and patients in a meaningful way; discuss why pharmacists must “own” medication adherence and tactics they can employ to effect this outcome; and identify why interoperable technology is vital to enhancing pharmacist’s recognized value to the health care system.
  
  
• 6-8 p.m. - Exhibit Hall Grand Opening
  (Renaissance Ballroom, Level 4)
  See the Exhibit Hall map for the most up-to-date listing of exhibitors.
  
  
• 7-10:30 p.m. - MPA Student Pharmacist Social
  (Ambassador Ballroom 1, Level 3)

  Student pharmacists are invited to stop by this informal reception on Friday. Enjoy drinks, pizza and board games, while networking with fellow student pharmacists from Michigan’s colleges of pharmacy. All registered student pharmacists are invited to attend. Student MPA (SMPA) members can attend complimentary. A fee applies to nonmember student pharmacists.

Saturday, Feb. 25

• 7:30 a.m.-5:50 p.m. - Students are welcome to attend any program scheduled during this time. See the Saturday programming page for the most up-to-date listing.
  
  
• 9-10:20 a.m. - Keynote Session: Anticipating Health Information Technology’s Evolving Impact
  (Ambassador Ballrooms 2-3, Level 3)
  Timothy A. Pletcher, executive director, Michigan Health Information Network, Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
  At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to provide an overview of the current United States health information technology landscape; identify the stages of “meaningful use” and their future bearing on pharmacists; describe semantic interoperability and its impact on the health care system; and discuss potential industry changes the next levels of health information sharing might enable.
  
  
• 10:30-11:50 a.m. - Successful Curriculum Vitae Writing and Interviewing Skills
  (Ambassador Ballroom 1, Level 3)
  Kelly McNorton, Pharm.D., clinical specialist of critical care, St. John Hospital and Medical Center, Detroit, Mich.
  At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to discuss key components of a curriculum vitae; identify techniques to a successful interview; recognize and prepare for important interview questions; and recall curriculum vitae writing and interviewing skills for future employment opportunities.
  
  
• Noon-1:20 p.m. - MSHP Student Pharmacist Luncheon
  (Ambassador Ballroom 1, Level 1)
  Join your classmates and future colleagues on Saturday. This luncheon is sponsored by the Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Ticket is required. Pre-registration is necessary.
  Onsite registrations for this luncheon will not be accepted.
  
  
• 1:30-2:50 p.m. - NASPA-NMA Student Pharmacist Self-care Championship
  (Ambassador Ballrooms 2-3, Level 3)
  Participants to be determined Student pharmacists representing each college of pharmacy participate in a Jeopardy-like competition testing their knowledge of over-the-counter products. The program becomes interactive when student pharmacists use their “ask the audience” lifelines if they become stumped. This program is aimed at pharmacists, student pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Come support your college of pharmacy and see who wins the traveling trophy this year. At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to identify and explain aspects of the effective and safe practice of pharmacy self-care treatments; analyze the usage and effectiveness of over-the-counter medications; and classify different groups of over-the-counter medications based on drug treatment class.
  
  
• 3-4:20 p.m. - Smart Financial Decisions
  (Nicolet A-B, Level 5)
  Reuben Levinsohn, director of life and wealth solutions for medical professionals, Centennial Group, Lansing, Mich.
  At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to develop a solid foundation that will act as a safety net for future investments; discuss how to implement time-tested investment strategies as you navigate an uncertain financial climate; and develop an investment plan to play the “tax game” more efficiently.

Sunday, Feb. 26

• 8 a.m.-1:50 p.m. - Students are welcome to attend any program scheduled during this time. See the Sunday programming page for the most up-to-date listing.
  
  
• 8:30-9:15 a.m. - New Delegate Briefing
  
• (Marquette A-B, Level 5)
  New delegates are encouraged to attend this briefing to learn about the House of Delegates process.
  
  
• 9:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m. - House of Delegates Session
  (Ambassador Ballroom 3, Level 3)
  MPA’s 2012 House of Delegates Session will be held, and the Local Association
  Achievement Awards and the Ernie Koch Striving for Excellence Award will be
  presented.
  
  

MPF Adopt-a-Student Program
Michigan Pharmacy Foundation (MPF) will once again host the Adopt-a-Student program through a special fundraising campaign. The mission of MPF is to advance pharmacy, pharmacy education and research, and to promote pharmacy practice to the highest level of patient care. Student pharmacists are the future of the profession, and this is an excellent opportunity to mentor student pharmacists who will advance the profession, consistent with MPF’s mission. Individuals can support the Adopt-a-Student program by making a tax-deductible donation of $75 or more to the Foundation. A separate check must be made payable to MPF to be tax deductible. A receipt will be mailed to contributors acknowledging their gift. Student MPA (SMPA) members will then be able to request support from MPF to participate in the Adopt-a-Student program and attend the MPA Annual Banquet at no cost on Saturday from 7-9:30 p.m. Please consider making your donation today with your convention registration and influence the development of a student pharmacist!