UACP Students Participate In Pharmacy Legislative Day

February 1, 2006

Forty-four students from the charter class of the University of Appalachia College of Pharmacy (UACP) recently traveled the long roads to Richmond, Virginia, to participate in the Pharmacy Legislative Day. Students helped screen legislators and their aides for blood pressures. They also pre-screened for other conditions such as diabetes and cholesterol. While attending the event, these Doctor of Pharmacy candidates also met with their local legislators to discuss current health, education and pharmacy issues.

UACP had more students attending the annual legislative event than any other school of pharmacy, although they traveled the most distance and incurred the most expense to participate. Many had an opportunity to meet with other pharmacy students from throughout Virginia, creating support networks that will help throughout their careers. By getting to know their local legislators and how their government works, these students also learned to advocate for and advance the profession of pharmacy. The students provided a very positive impression of UACP’s accelerated three-year program and the Southwest Virginia region as a whole.

Dr. Holly Hurley, a UACP clinical faculty member and sponsor of the trip, came back from Richmond with renewed energy. “Our students are mature, professional, dedicated and very impressive. Our regional pharmacists already give them high marks and it was clear during our Richmond trip as they interacted with students from other pharmacy schools that we are well ahead of the typical four-year curriculum. I am very proud of our new school and charter class.”

Mickey McGlothlin, president of the University of Appalachia, commented that Buchanan County and far Southwest Virginia are very proud of the pharmacy school and its students. “If I operated a pharmacy anywhere in the Central Appalachian region I would be at UACP recruiting these students and sponsoring them through graduation so they would come back to my business and work. I have met with them all and they are impressive. Next year’s class is shaping up to be exemplary also. These are exciting times in Southwest Virginia.”