Third year student represents COP at ASHP Midyear

[Link]Attending the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting in New Orleans was a milestone moment in Mariana Lopez's journey toward becoming a pharmacist. The experience not only provided invaluable learning opportunities but also allowed her to connect with peers and professionals from across the country. As a participant in the Clinical Skills Challenge, she had the chance to represent her school and demonstrate her clinical skills in a competitive environment while also learning from the best in the field.

"I was so excited to visit New Orleans for the first time and be surrounded by people who are just as passionate about pharmacy as I am," Lopez said. "I attended multiple seminars and CE lectures conducted by pharmacists and healthcare companies. It was such a great opportunity to learn about new drugs and current guidelines for disease states that we weren't aware of."

At the Midyear Meeting, Lopez and her colleague, Betel Haileyes, participated in the Clinical Skills Challenge, competing against 162 pharmacy schools from across the United States. The competition required them to evaluate a patient case and adjust the pharmacotherapy accordingly.

"Although it was a challenging case, we were able to identify multiple problems because of the foundation we had built in our coursework," Lopez said. "It was so rewarding to see our hard work pay off as we worked together to solve the case."

In addition to the competition, she took the time to support her peers by attending poster presentations, further enriching her experience at the event. "It was amazing to see what everyone else was doing and to learn from the diverse projects and research being presented," Lopez said.

Attending the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting was possible through the support of the HSC College of Pharmacy Alumni Association's Student Travel Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to students traveling to professional pharmacy conferences to participate in presentations or competitions. Mariana earned the scholarship by writing an essay about the impact of national conferences on her development as a future pharmacist.

"As a pharmacy student, I recognize that the pharmacy profession is constantly evolving, and new drugs and technologies are developed daily," Lopez said. "Conferences and seminars, like ASHP's Midyear offer valuable opportunities for networking, professional development, continuing education, and advocacy-all of which will enhance my clinical skills and knowledge and are helping me build a strong foundation as a pharmacist."

Lopez has a deep passion for retail pharmacy. Having worked at HEB for eight years, she plans to continue her career with the company and eventually return to her hometown in the Rio Grande Valley to serve her community.

"I've had the opportunity to intern with HEB since the summer after my P1 year, and I've been working as an intern in Frisco for two years now," Lopez said. "This hands-on experience has been incredibly valuable.

Beyond her work experience, Mariana is actively involved in extracurricular activities on campus. She serves as a tutor for fellow pharmacy students and is a research assistant for the Department of Health Disparities. She is also working on an article that will be published by the ACCP Ambulatory Care PRN.

"I love applying what I've learned in school and sharing it with my peers and the community," Lopez said. "Being involved in these projects keeps me motivated and reminds me of the positive impact we can have as pharmacists."

Through her involvement in professional events like the ASHP Midyear and her commitment to advancing her career, Lopez exemplifies the drive and passion essential to the future of pharmacy. She feels that the scholarship that made her attendance possible was an investment in her growth as a student pharmacist and a future healthcare leader.

"I am so grateful to the Alumni Association for this opportunity. Without the scholarship traveling to New Orleans would have been very difficult. It's not just about the conference-it's about the exposure and experiences that are shaping my career and future," Lopez said.