Annual Convention & Exposition
Held the last weekend in February each year, the Annual Convention & Exposition is a three-day event that attracts pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, student pharmacists, pharmacy residents, pharmaceutical representatives and academia. The Annual Convention is the largest state pharmacy convention in the nation and the event was recently recognized by Michigan association peers for its innovation, achievement and excellence. More than 50 continuing education programs are offered, including the pain and live continuing education credits required for pharmacist licensure, as well as the pharmacy law continuing education credit for pharmacy technician recertification. Attendees are also provided with numerous networking opportunities, including an exhibit hall, an annual banquet to celebrate Michigan’s leaders in pharmacy and various social events, such as practice section luncheons. MPA also provides special programming and events for student pharmacists from the three Michigan colleges of pharmacy.

The 2011 MPA Annual Convention & Exposition will be held Feb. 25-27 at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. Visit the event page for the latest information.

View the 2010 Annual Convention photo gallery.

Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP) Annual Meeting
Held each fall, the Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP) Annual Meeting provides continuing education programs designed specifically for health-system pharmacists, residents, pharmacy technicians and student pharmacists. Continuing education programs are divided into two tracks, leadership or clinical, dependent on their suggested audience and topic area. A CPR program is also offered. The meeting provides an exhibit hall for the exchange and informal discussion of ideas among conference participants and corporate attendees. A town hall business meeting is also held to honor health-system pharmacists with MSHP awards, install new MSHP Board of Directors members, recognize committee chairs and provide the annual treasurer's report.

The 2010 MSHP Annual Meeting will be held Nov. 5 at the Crowne Plaza in Grand Rapids. Registration is available online through Oct. 25. After Oct. 25, $10 will be added to all registration rates, including residents and student pharmacists, who attend free of charge through this date.

Visit the 2009 MSHP Annual Meeting photo gallery.

Northern Michigan Pharmacy Education & Suppliers Seminar
Held each spring, the Northern Michigan Pharmacy Education & Suppliers Seminar provides pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with up-to-date information on medications, legislation affecting pharmacies, pain management and other specialized continuing education topics. There is also an exhibit hall with designated hours during the seminar allowing attendees the chance to network with pharmacy professionals. Participants in the seminar earn eight hours of live continuing education credit.

The 2010 Northern Michigan Pharmacy Education & Suppliers Seminar was held April 17-18 at the Ramada Inn in Grayling.

Visit the 2010 Northern Michigan Pharmacy Education & Suppliers Seminar photo gallery.

Legislative Day
Held each spring, Legislative Day allows pharmacy professionals to work with legislators to address policies and formulate an achievable and effective method for implementing a proactive approach to health care. In the complex world of health care, the exchange of information between legislators and practitioners is critical. Legislative Day is designed to break the barriers of communication and develop open dialogue between pharmacists and lawmakers and well as provide important updates from the Department of Community Health, the Bureau of Health Professions and Board of Pharmacy. Three hours of continuing education is usually offered.

The 2011 Legislative Day will be held March 23. Visit the event page for the most up-to-date information.

View the 2010 Legislative Day photo gallery.

Pharmacy-Based
Immunization Delivery Program
Held at least once per year, the Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery Program provides participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a primary source for vaccine information and administration. The training program is a practice-based activity conducted in two parts - a self-study learning component and a live training seminar. The program teaches the basics of immunology and focuses on practice implementation and legal/regulatory issues. Successful completion of the self-study and live seminar program earns participants 20 hours of continuing education.

There will be two additional Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery Programs in the summer of 2010, as indicated below. The Aug. 28 program is reserved for Wayne State Univeristy student pharmacists and pharmacy faculty members only.

• Aug. 24, 2010, at the new MPA headquarters, 408 E. Kalamazoo Plaza, Lansing
• Aug. 28, 2010, at the Wayne State University Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Detroit
  

View the May 10, 2010, Immunization Program photo gallery.

Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP) Residency Conference
Held each year, the MSHP Residency Conference is designed for residency directors, preceptors, residents and student pharmacists committed to improving the residency experience. Presentations include a keynote session, pearl topics and roundtable discussions on topics relevant to the residency experience, such as providing feedback, communication and career planning. Continuing education credit is not typically awarded for this conference.

The 2010 MSHP Residency Conference was held June 7 at the Lexington Lansing Hotel.

View the 2010 MSHP Residency Conference photo gallery.

Michigan Society of Pharmacy Technicians (MSPT) Fall Seminar
New this year, the MSPT Fall Seminar provides pharmacy technicians with the unique chance to build on their current skill set. The seminar is a hands-on workshop that provides educational advancement and other certification opportunities, such as law continuing education credits. In 2009, MSPT conducted an adult, child and infant CPR training workshop.

The 2010 MSPT Fall Seminar scheduled for Sept. 18 at Baker College was cancelled. For additional information, please contact MPA Associate Executive Director La Vone Swanson.

View the 2009 MSPT Spring Seminar photo gallery.

2009 GLYPLC Participants Top row, left to right: Heather Christensen, Randall Schloff, Charles Mollien, Derek Quinn and MPA Director of Marketing & Sales La Vone Swanson. Bottom row, left to right: Kali Schultz, Ghada Abdallah, Katie Lindsey, Jacqueline Morse and Allison Eck.

Great Lakes Young Pharmacists
Leadership Conference
Each fall, Michigan Pharmacists Association, in conjunction with the Indiana Pharmacists Alliance and the Ohio Pharmacists Association, holds the Great Lakes Young Pharmacists Leadership Conference. The goals of the Leadership Conference are to identify emerging leaders, enhance the leadership skills of the participants and provide motivation to seek greater awareness and involvement in the issues confronting the profession. Leadership Conference participants are selected by MPA based on leadership potential, involvement in college student activities and/or professional organizations, and community activities.

The 2010 Great Lakes Young Pharmacists Leadership Conference will be held Oct. 15-17 at the Maumee Bay Resort and Conference Center in Ohio. Applications will be accepted until Sept. 8. Visit the event page for more information.