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Students launch clinical pharmacy society  by Dick Peterson Public Relations The MUSC student chapter of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists is a reality. It took years, but they did it. Uphill all the way, say two of the student society officers. They credit last year’s Joni Fukami and Kimber Walter with having done most of the work.  And last week, Hannah Kim, Pharm.D., the national society’s pharmacy student forum director, was on campus, laden with boxes of literature to welcome the students into the organization and tell them about the information and resources at their disposal. “These students should be proud of their accomplishment,” Kim said. “It’s not easy starting a student society.” Student society president Monica Burleson and vice president Margot Olson explained that the College of Pharmacy student body numbers have eroded in recent years due to the phase-out of the college’s five-year Pharm.D. program for a four-year program that follows three years of undergraduate study. Small classes translate into heightened competition for members among the student groups. It was the unique focus of the ASHP that clinched the formation of the student society at the college where the Academy of Students of Pharmacy (ASP) is already in place. Burleson credits an increased interest among students in the practice of pharmacy in the clinical environment. “The national professional society represents pharmacists who practice in health systems,” Kim said. “Many of them work in hospital settings.” She added as fact that they are frequently the behind-the-scenes—nonetheless vital—members of a clinical team. The ASHP provides continuing education for its pharmacist members, publishes practice standards that foster improvements in pharmacy practice and patient care, and monitors and lobbies for legislation that affects the practice of pharmacy. The society boasts a national membership of 30,000 and a student forum membership of 5,500. Its 34th annual ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibits is set for Dec. 5 through 9 in Orlando, Fla., and is an opportunity for students and pharmacists alike to explore career opportunities, share ideas with other students and professionals and update their continuing pharmaceutical education requirements. “Our midyear clinical meeting is the largest professional pharmacy society gathering in the world,” Kim said. “Last year’s meeting was attended by more than 18,000 people, representing more than 40 countries.”