The UM School of Pharmacy. Photo by Robert Jordan/Ole Miss Communications
OXFORD, Miss. – Five University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy students each presented their own research at the recent American Pharmacists Association annual meeting in Nashville, Tennessee.
The students are Anna Crider, Erin Hoevelmann, Yiran Rong, Victoria Miller and Kelsey Raymer.
“This was an excellent opportunity for these students to share their work at a national level,” said David D. Allen, dean of the School of Pharmacy. “To have five of our students presenting at the APhA annual meeting is a testament to our student body’s dedication to making a positive impact on patients and the profession.”
Crider, a second-year student from Brentwood, Tennessee, presented her analysis of whether pharmacists need more education regarding the treatment and care of children with ADHD. She plans to work as a clinical inpatient pharmacist after graduation and hopes that her research will improve the care of children with ADHD.
“Presenting at this conference helped to further my knowledge of opportunities within the profession,” Crider said.
A second-year student from St. Louis, Hoevelmann presented her survey results of pharmacists’ willingness to offer rapid diagnostic testing in the community pharmacy setting. She first presented this project in March 2017 as her thesis for the university’s Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College.
“I was very excited to be able to present this work to a national audience,” Hoevelmann said. “This my first experience with research, and it has offered me so many opportunities, even a year later.”
Pharmacy administration graduate student Yiran Rong presented a research poster that examined community pharmacists’ perceptions on implementing a weight management program in their practice settings.
“It was really helpful for me to practice explaining a study in a short amount of time,” Rong said. “I met pharmacists, faculty and researchers who shared their ideas about real-world practice from different angles, which were very valuable and illuminating.”
Second-year student Miller’s work identified a lack of medication knowledge among many incoming college students and how pharmacists can provide education about medicines and health management to that age group. The Hartselle, Alabama, native hopes to pursue a residency and a career in hospital pharmacy upon obtaining her Pharm.D.
“Presenting at the APhA annual meeting allowed me to network with other professionals and show them my passion for patient care,” Miller said. “Completing this project has helped me develop research skills, which will be extremely valuable in a residency program and in my future career.”
Raymer, a third-year student from Hendersonville, Tennessee, presented on the differences in how pharmacy managers and pharmacy staff members impact and manage their own work environments.
“I am absolutely honored that my research was chosen for a podium presentation at the APhA annual meeting,” Raymer said. “This presentation helped me to build connections with pharmacists who have similar interests and big ideas for the future of pharmacy.”