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Pharmacy student voted to regional APhA-ASP by Cindy Abole Public Relations When third-year College of Pharmacy student Casey Nelson attended the American Pharmacy Association Academy of Students of Pharmacy (APhA-ASP) Midyear Regional Meeting in Atlanta, she went not only with the intention of representing her local chapter but with an eye on a higher calling. This opportunity would require the best of her communications, leadership and negotiating skills.  On Nov. 10, Nelson was elected Region III delegate, one of eight delegates representing regions of the national APhA-ASP. She beat out an impressive field of student colleagues from pharmacy schools around her region.  Her “Count on Casey” campaign allowed her to promote herself—qualifications, experience and goals for office. After a rigorous series of speeches, student face-to-face debates and open candidate reviews, Nelson was elected by her student colleagues. Today, she represents about 2,604 student colleagues in 15 chapters of this national student professional society. Her region is composed of pharmacy schools in seven southeastern states including North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Puerto Rico.  “Holding this office gives me a chance to get to know and understand the views of students across our region,” said Nelson. “Increasing communications will help bring schools closer together and empower us with the knowledge to be more effective within our region and profession.” During her year tenure, Nelson will strive to improve communications among the 15 student chapters across her region. As a delegate for Region III, she must generate and maintain a series of quarterly newsletters to promote regional news and events. She will seek ways to encourage more pharmacy graduates to participate in their professional society on local, state and national levels. Finally, she wants to improve networking and interaction between pharmacists and students regionally.  Her home APhA-ASP chapter at MUSC certainly recognizes the benefits of someone like Nelson in the role of a top regional officer.  “Casey is a hard-working, enthusiastic and confident speaker and leader,” said Jessica Lowry, MUSC APhA-ASP president. “Her role is a big advantage for us. It gives us that ‘foot-in-the-door’ to learn how to be more active on the regional level. This broadens our horizons.”  In its mission statement, the APhA Academy of Students of Pharmacy is organized as a collective voice of pharmacy students dedicated to supporting and providing professional growth while leading the promotion and future of pharmacy. As Region III delegate, Nelson is among 28 delegates to the APhA House of Delegates who meet at the group’s annual meeting and exposition. Nelson will be involved in helping to move proposed resolutions from local chapters and regional meetings through the process to the national level to be adopted by the profession. Among the resolutions discussed at the Atlanta meeting was a resolution to encourage all schools of pharmacy to implement a white coat and senior pinning ceremonys for students to reinforce pride and professionalism. MUSC’s College of Pharmacy has sponsored a white coat ceremony for its students since 2001.  A native of Greenville, Nelson has been active within her college and other professional pharmacy groups since she began pharmacy school in 1999. She was elected secretary/treasurer for the Class of 2004 and has served on the school’s admissions and recruitment committees. She has been an active member of the APhA-ASP since 2000 and is currently corresponding secretary and serves on various committees. She has been active with the South Carolina Pharmacy Association, Student and South Carolina Society of Health Systems-Pharmacists. As a pharmacy student, she has won numerous scholarships and awards. This past summer, she completed an exclusive Walgreens Corporate Management Internship and other experiences in Houston, Texas and Charleston.  “Casey’s presence as Region III delegate is very significant to the students from our MUSC chapter and region,” said Arnold W. Karig, Ph.D., APhA-ASP faculty advisor and associate dean, COP. “Her role increases the awareness of the profession beyond the college and state. It speaks highly of her involvement within a professional student organization. Her presence makes students more aware of the many opportunities available to them.” Pharmacy, as well as many health professional organizations, continue to struggle in recruiting and promoting active young practitioner-members. Aside from managing the national pharmacists shortage, recruitment and membership in professional organizations now shares the stage and is recognized as a top APhA initiative.  “Observing, understanding and participating in the political process of a professional organization helps people realize the importance of involvement and political action on a local, state and national level,” Karig said.  “I want to help students get involved beyond the chapter level,” Nelson said. “We need to increase participation and help colleagues understand the legislative process and gain this type of experience as an important part of their profession.”     Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. 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