Chapter Report

Rho Chi

Chapter Report, 2007-08

President: Kevin Brady

Vice President: Tiffany Russell

Secretary: Erin Elwood

Treasurer: Amy Vu

Historian: Allison Chilipko

Advisor: Dr. Myron Weiner

Introduction

Omicron Chapter began the 2007-08 academic year by developing a small number of achievable goals. The overall objective, however, was to increase student body awareness of the contributions that the Chapter makes to the fundamental objective of The Rho Chi Society by promoting the advancement of the pharmaceutical sciences through the encouragement and recognition of sound scholarship. To accomplish this task, the core collection of Chapter activities initiated in previous years had to be maintained, improved, and expanded. While most ongoing projects were continued, a good number of new projects in pursuit of the Chapter objectives were implemented as well. Looking back, the Chapter has made solid progress towards its goals and has set the stage to continue smooth and effective operations in the years to come.

The primary goal set by Omicron Chapter during the 2007-08 academic year was to maximize student body awareness of the existence and activities of the Chapter, particularly in regard to pursuing the fundamental objective of The Rho Chi Society by promoting the advancement of the pharmaceutical sciences through encouragement and recognition of sound scholarship. In addition, a small number of secondary objectives were developed.

To support pharmaceutical education before, during, and after pharmacy school
To strengthen cooperation with other healthcare professionals
To improve communication and participation among Chapter members

To support pharmaceutical education before, during, and after pharmacy school
To strengthen cooperation with other healthcare professionals
To improve communication and participation among Chapter members

Activities

June 4, 2007: New Student Welcome Day (new project)

New Student Welcome Day is the first official orientation event for incoming students of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. Omicron Chapter was able to create a display table to introduce new pharmacy students to The Rho Chi Society. Brochures and information were provided regarding the Society’s purpose, requirements for election to membership, and Chapter activities.

Summer 2007: Japanese exchange student program (new project)

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy participates in a program through which Japanese pharmacy students are able to complete an experiential rotation in the United States. Members of Omicron Chapter were recruited to aid these students during their stay. Volunteer duties included giving a welcome to the country, making trips to Wal-Mart and the grocery store, offering suggestions for activities and restaurants, supervising visits to museums and other attractions, and generally providing a comfortable experience for the Japanese students.

August 22, 2007: Organization Handbook (new project)

The Organization Handbook was created for incoming students of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy as a guidebook to campus organizations. Omicron Chapter submitted a full-page summary of The Rho Chi Society providing information on the Society’s purpose, requirements for election to membership, and Chapter activities.

August 23, 2007: Honor Code presentation (new project)

The Honor Code of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy was originally drafted by Omicron Chapter in the late 1990’s. To highlight this accomplishment, this year the Chapter President was offered the opportunity to present the Honor Code to the incoming students before the beginning of the academic year.

August 24, 2007: Organizational Gala (ongoing project)

Towards the end of incoming student orientation, the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy sponsors a large Organizational Gala to showcase the various campus organizations. Omicron Chapter participated in this event by creating a display table and offering an overview of The Rho Chi Society. Brochures and information regarding the Society’s purpose, requirements for election to membership, and Chapter activities were provided to many of the incoming students.

September 22, 2007: A Bridge to Academic Excellence presentation (new project)

A Bridge to Academic Excellence is a program that provides tutoring to underprivileged Baltimore City and County high school students. At the first tutoring session of the academic year, members of Omicron Chapter gave a presentation to the students on the Cornell note-taking strategy. Afterwards, a brief sample lecture was given and students were able to practice their new note-taking skills.

October 1, 2007: Dean’s List recognition and dinner (ongoing project)

At the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Omicron Chapter is responsible for identifying and recognizing members of the Dean’s List, who have earned at least a 3.25 grade point average in each semester of the preceding academic year. This year, members of the Dean’s List were honored with a certificate, an announcement on the Omicron Chapter bulletin board, and an advertisement via the on-campus television system. Additionally, all first-year students and members of the Dean’s List were invited to attend the annual Dean’s List dinner. Over one hundred students enjoyed the Chinese food dinner and participated in two trivia games with gift card prizes.

November 20, 2007: Andrew G. DuMez Lecture and luncheon (ongoing project)

Omicron Chapter is the leader of the Andrew G. DuMez lectureship, which invites outstanding speakers to share their insight with the University of Maryland campus each year. A new theme was introduced this year by inviting two speakers to debate a controversial pharmacy issue. Dr. Stuart Haines of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and Dr. Marilyn Speedie of the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy debated, “Should residencies be required by 2020 for all PharmD graduates providing direct patient care?” Afterwards, a group of student leaders at the pharmacy school was invited to have lunch with the speakers and discuss the issue further.

November 20, 2007: 4.0 Book Awards (ongoing project)

Omicron Chapter provided certificates and complimentary copies of Pharmacotherapy Handbook to second-year students who achieved a 4.00 grade point average during their entire first year at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.

Fall 2007: Graduate nursing student tutoring (new project)

Nursing students who have returned to school for a graduate degree in anesthesiology participate in pharmacology lectures with second-year PharmD students at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. Members of Omicron Chapter donated 48 volunteer hours to provide pharmacology tutoring for these graduate nursing students on a weekly basis throughout the fall semester. An average of eight graduate nursing students attended the weekly sessions.

Fall 2007: Undergraduate nursing student lectures (new project)

Undergraduate nursing students at the University of Maryland School of Nursing are expected to complete a class in drug therapy. Members of Omicron Chapter who were in their final year of PharmD coursework were allowed to lecture to these undergraduate nursing students in select topics throughout the fall semester. Some of the topics presented by Omicron Chapter members include pediatrics, heart failure, coronary artery disease, and thyroid disorders.

February 14, 2008: Legislative Day (new project)

Legislative Day is an opportunity for pharmacists and student pharmacists to meet with their state legislators and discuss issues relevant to the practice of pharmacy. This year a number of Omicron Chapter members attended Legislative Day in Annapolis to advocate on behalf of the pharmacy profession.

April 10, 2008: Initiation banquet (ongoing project)

Further information may be found below.

Spring 2008: Pharmacy technician tutoring (new project)

The Caroline Center sponsors a program that trains inner city residents for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board exam with the ultimate goal of helping these residents escape the need for welfare. Members of Omicron Chapter offered five weeks of supplementary tutoring in pharmaceutical calculations for students of the Caroline Center program. A total of seven Caroline Center students enrolled for the tutoring services.

2007-08: Student of the Month (new project)

Omicron Chapter partnered with Beta Lambda Chapter of Phi Lambda Sigma to sponsor Student of the Month awards throughout the year. Each month an outstanding student in academics and an outstanding student in leadership were chosen for recognition. These students were honored with a certificate, an announcement on the Omicron Chapter and Beta Lambda Chapter bulletin boards, and an advertisement via the on-campus television system. Additionally, each month a different faculty volunteer donated a unique reward for the two honorees.

2007-08: Trivia of the Month (new project)

At the beginning of each month Omicron Chapter posted a pharmacy-related trivia question to the Chapter bulletin board for the student body to consider. After all answers had been received, correct submissions were entered into a monthly gift card raffle. Over one hundred students participated in these contests.

2007-08: Prepharmacy discussions (new project)

Members of Omicron Chapter visited twelve local high schools and colleges throughout the year to discuss pharmacy as a career option. Science classes, career development classes, and student clubs were all targeted for presentations on benefits, opportunities, and requirements associated with the pharmacy profession. The audiences at these discussions totaled nearly one thousand local students.

2007-08: A Bridge to Academic Excellence tutoring (ongoing project)

A Bridge to Academic Excellence is a program that provides tutoring to underprivileged Baltimore City and County high school students. Members of Omicron Chapter were present at almost all of the tutoring sessions throughout the year to offer their services in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, precalculus, calculus, chemistry, and SAT preparation.

2007-08: AOL Instant Messenger screenname (new project)

Omicron Chapter registered for an AOL Instant Messenger screenname (rhochitutor) with the goal of providing increased tutoring services. This screenname allowed for quick, convenient access to a reputable tutor when face-to-face meetings may not have been scheduled or possible.

2007-08: Campus website (new project)

This year Omicron Chapter developed and unveiled a completely new organization website to be accessed through the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy homepage. Both the design and the content were updated and tidied. Information about the Society’s history and objectives, the Chapter’s officers and members, requirements for election to membership, the Student of the Month, and the Trivia of the Month were posted to the new website for all campus members to view.

2007-08: Blackboard website (new project)

This year Omicron Chapter developed and unveiled a Blackboard website to be used by its members for information and communication. In addition to containing previous Chapter reports and a list of upcoming activities, the Blackboard site allowed for confidential announcements, electronic elections, and efficient discussion.

2007-08: Facebook group (new project)

Facebook is one of the more popular social networking websites. By creating a student organization group on the website, Omicron Chapter was able to provide continuing recognition for its members and to enhance communication among them. By the end of the year, there were 40 active members in the group.

2007-08: Organization e-mail address (new project)

Instead of relying on individual member e-mail addresses, Omicron Chapter registered for an e-mail address (rxomicron@gmail.com) to improve member communication and allow for year-to-year continuity.

2007-08: Campus support (ongoing project)

Omicron Chapter members have supported the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and other student organizations through attendance, participation, planning, and leadership at meetings and events. Additionally, the Chapter is provided representation on the Student Government Association Council. This year the Chapter President was able to serve on the Council, on the Programming Committee, and at the summer and winter leadership retreats. Additionally, Chapter members were asked to assist with keeping the school buildings and the student refrigerator clean.

Initiation

The Omicron Chapter’s initiation banquet was held on April 10, 2008, at the Baltimore/Washington International Airport Marriott Hotel. More than one hundred guests including family, friends, classmates, and faculty were present to honor the 25 PharmD students and 17 graduate students inducted into the Chapter this year. Additionally, each inductee was invited to sign Omicron Chapter’s membership book, which contains the signatures of all the Chapter’s members since its chartering in 1930. Dr. Ellen Yankellow, founder of Correct Rx Pharmacy Services and two-time member of Maryland’s Top 100 Women, served as keynote speaker to help the Chapter celebrate excellence by sharing her inspiring comments and wisdom. In addition, the Chapter was overjoyed to be able to induct Dr. Yankellow into The Rho Chi Society as an honorary member based on her numerous and impressive achievements. As in past years, the induction banquet was a successful experience and one of the signature events of the Chapter.

Other Information

1. Officer position update: to improve communication and participation among graduate student members, the Chapter Vice President position was divided into two separate offices. The new positions will be known as Chapter Vice President of PharmD Affairs and Chapter Vice President of Graduate Affairs. New officer duties were drafted to reflect this change.

A. Chapter Vice President of PharmD Affairs: The Chapter Vice President of PharmD Affairs shall serve as an advocate and informant for the PharmD student members in regards to Chapter business. The Chapter Vice Presidents, in the absence of the Chapter President, assume the responsibilities of the Chapter President.

B. Chapter Vice President of Graduate Affairs: The Chapter Vice President of Graduate Affairs shall serve as an advocate and informant for the graduate student members in regards to Chapter business. The Chapter Vice Presidents, in the absence of the Chapter President, assume the responsibilities of the Chapter President.

2. Election method update: to ease the process of electing new officers, Omicron Chapter switched to an online voting program this year. With this new system, the election meeting was completed in less time with more candidates.

Reflections

Omicron Chapter began the 2007-08 academic year by developing a small number of achievable goals. The majority of activities pursued by the Chapter this year were designed to help reach those objectives. Continuing projects including the Organizational Gala, Dean’s List recognition and dinner, Andrew G. DuMez Lecture and luncheon, 4.0 Book Awards, initiation banquet, A Bridge to Academic Excellence tutoring, and campus support allowed Omicron Chapter to maintain its position on campus and show ongoing support for academic excellence. New projects implemented this year also contributed towards Omicron Chapter’s goals. Student body awareness of the Chapter was increased with the New Student Welcome Day, Organization Handbook, Honor Code presentation, Student of the Month, Trivia of the Month, AOL Instant Messenger screenname, campus website, and Facebook group. The Chapter demonstrated strong encouragement of sound scholarship before, during, and after pharmacy school in the Honor Code presentation, A Bridge to Academic Excellence presentation, Legislative Day, pharmacy technician tutoring, Student of the Month, Trivia of the Month, prepharmacy discussions, and AOL Instant Messenger screenname and demonstrated strong encouragement of collaboration with other healthcare professionals in the Japanese exchange student program, graduate nursing student tutoring, undergraduate nursing student lectures, and pharmacy technician tutoring. Finally, communication and participation among Chapter members was enhanced with the introduction of the campus website, Blackboard website, Facebook group, and organization e-mail address. Many of this year’s new projects were cheap, well-received, and able to contribute towards multiple goals, and future years should be able to continue these activities in pursuit of The Rho Chi Society’s and Omicron Chapter’s objectives. One weakness that affected the Chapter this year was having expenses that outweighed income by a small amount. However, the addition of two new fundraisers next year should make up for this year’s loss and contribute to a positive bank balance. Looking back on the academic year, Omicron Chapter has made valuable progress towards its goals and created a collection of efficient, effective activities to continue into the future.