“I can safely
say this rotation has been my most favorable thus far. I urge other students, regardless of
interest area, to take part in this great rotation
and opportunity.”
T is rotation I was about to venture into had been diff erent than any prior experience I had completed. I am embarrassed to admit that I had just assumed MPA was a state agency that helped with projects for the Missouri Board of Pharmacy. It is safe to say that my assumption could not be farther from the truth. I quickly learned that MPA’s scope extends far beyond what I had initially thought possible. So here I am, fi rst day on the job, and I
found myself helping Annie Eisenbeis and the team apply for a massive grant. T e team quickly briefed me on the Vaccine Gap Closure program that MPA had been implementing with CPESN MO pharmacies across the state and that this grant would help stabilize the program for years to come. T is program would not only serve to close vaccine gaps, but to also establish alternate revenue streams for pharmacies. I found the work at MPA to be empowering. I quickly found myself in discussions that had a large impact and the ideas presented have the potential to directly drive the practice of pharmacy forward. T e team valued my ideas, and I was extremely fortunate to be able to assist in projects that were near and dear to my heart and passion. T e rotation was unique in the fact that
the student can take part in as much or as little involvement as they wish. If you have a particular idea of how to change pharmacy
By Cole Petershagen, 2025 PharmD Candidate, UMKC School of Pharmacy (Columbia)
s I made my morning walk into the Missouri Pharmacy Association’s (MPA) building with cup of coff ee in hand I recall thinking to myself that “I was in over my head.”
for the better, mention it! I was surprised to see that my ideas and projects were going to be carried forward in future meetings and development. I have always found myself to be innovative and have always had a knack for making things work and improving systems that we already have in place. It was rewarding to see my ideas of combating the pharmacist shortage taking form and for them to be implemented in the future. I was also fortunate enough to present ideas for RSV vaccine prescriptive authority reform to the team. My major takeaway from this rotation was to connect with as many stakeholders as possible. T ere is no “cookie cutter” solution to pharmacies’ ever-evolving challenges. Be willing to ask questions, off er solutions, and provide perspective as you see fi t. Each interaction can lead to more than you can imagine. Savor each discussion and give each day as much eff ort as you can. If you fi nd yourself in a similar situation as mine, you will quickly learn that you have the opportunity to change the entire practice of pharmacy and provide solutions that are going to empower your position as a pharmacist in the future! A month can fl y by rather quickly. T e
days turned to weeks rather fast, and I found myself wanting more from MPA. I wish I had more time to spend with the team. I can safely say this rotation has been my most favorable thus far. I urge other students, regardless of interest area, to take part in this great rotation and opportunity. T e staff and network were friendly, knowledgeable, and always willing to help. So thank you, once again, to MPA for a great experience!
8 Missouri PHARMACIST | Volume 98, Issue III | Fall 2024
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