Who Are We?
UB SSHP is an organization dedicated to students seeking a career as a pharmacist in a hospital or other health-system setting, including long-term care, ambulatory, managed and home care settngs. The University at Buffalo Student Society of Health-System Pharmacy, is the student chapter of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and is affiliated with our local - Western New York Society of Health-system Pharmacists (WNYSHP) - and state - New York State Council of Health-system Pharmacists (NYSCHP) - organizations. We are officially recognized by ASHP; this official recognition will serve as the completion of the “triad” relationship between ASHP, the ASHP affiliate organization, and the SSHP, as well as provide a direct relationship between ASHP and the individual SSHP. We know it gets confusing so hopefully the chart below will help!
This is our seventh year as a recognized student chapter so we are looking forward to continuing to develop as an organization and offer new opportunities to our members!
Our Mission Statement:
-
To promote active student membership in local, state, and national health-system organizations
-
To stimulate student interest in health-system pharmacy / academia careers
-
To encourage students to pursue post-graduate residency training
-
To facilitate career development and professionalism among students
So Why Should You Join?!
As an SSHP member, you will have the oppurtunity to attend informational meetings throughout the semester and will be invited to other special events. We strive to provide students with networking opportunities, current information pertaining to health-systems pharmacy and residencies, potential leadership opportunities, and access to wellness clinics and the clinical skills competition.
Beyond just meeting upperclassmen, SSHP members have numerous opportunities to interact with pharmacists and other healthcare professionals practicing in various health systems. A few events, among many, throughout the year include student-pharmacist mixers, health-systems pharmacy and residency days, Albany Day, and interprofessional debates.
Residency Day. Whats a residency you ask? A pharmacy residency is a clinically focused post-graduate training program intended to expand upon knowledge learned in pharmacy school in a working environment and is most common in a hospital setting. The first year is typically general training, followed by a specialized second year in your field of interest. Every year SSHP holds a meeting where local pharmacy residents are invited to UB to speak about their experiences and answer questions for students. New this year, SSHP is hosting a pharmacy residency series, with each meeting focusing on a different specialty. If you have interest in intensive, practical, hands-on experience beyond pharmacy school, residencies are a great opportunity.
We also host a number of wellness clinics for the public in health-systems settings. These provide taking blood pressure and giving medication-related advice while networking with pharmacists on staff. At cholesterol screening events, SSHP members work alongside nurses to take cholesterol readings and spread awareness about high cholesterol related risk factors.
The clinical skills competition held each fall is an opportunity for P3s and P4s to test their clinical knowledge. Each year a specific patient case is given to students competing. Students are required to assess the case and make recommendations to optimize the treatment regimen by creating a pharmacy care plan. Winners will move on to the national competiton to compete in a similar format. A practice clinical skills competition is held in the spring each year and is open to students from all classes.
Because our college is located in the world-renowned Buffalo area, our members have the advantage of hearing from clinicians who are ranked at the top of their fields. Our services as a club to you offer great opportunities to learn a lot about different areas of clinical pharmacy that are not always touched upon or taught about in the academic setting. You don't want to miss out on all of the great things that UB SSHP has to offer. Apply now and become a member of SSHP, you know you want to!
So, now that you know a little of what UB SSHP has to offer, click the link below and register NOW!
[Disclaimer: all of these incredible benefits you receive by becoming a UB SSHP member, aren't exactly free, but they sure are cheap! The registration fee is $20 for a 1-year membership or $50 for a 4-year membership.]