Orientation 2008 — Foundations of Pharmacy Course
SLIDE SHOWS
CLASSES
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
MOCK TRIAL
SEE ATV SHOW "ON THE JOB" FEATURING HSOP
LUNCH & SPONSORS
TEAM BUILDING
WHITE COAT CEREMONY
WHITE COAT CEREMONY
he week of August 12 – 16, 2008 was the entry into a brand new world for 158 new student pharmacists at HSOP. Twenty-six of them will attend the Mobile campus, but they were all in attendance at the Auburn University campus for this introductory week. Orientation is actually a week-long class: PYDI 5080 Foundations of Pharmacy. Dr. Bob Smith, head of the Clinical Pharmacy Department oversaw the week's proceedings. Classes were held in the Education and Clinic Wing of the Harrison School of Pharmacy. Last year, the first classes by videoconference between the Mobile and AU campuses were launched. This system has proven successful, and this week's activities followed suit.
It All Began with the Laptops
Monday morning started a long day of laptop pick-up for those students who had not previously done so. Student computers have to be customized in advance by the HSOP IT staff with pharmacy specific installs before they can be used in class. Laptop computers are an integral part of the pharmacy curriculum at HSOP. With some "bragging rights," HSOP has been ahead-of-the-curve in technology, paving the way for other schools on campus to follow.
Not ALL Work and No Play
Yes, there was learning to do -- everything from computer skills to team rooms to distance learning to the History of Pharmacy. The pupils also began to contemplate such things as what care really means to a pharmacist and the value of service.
But the "newbie's" also learned that challenges can be less serious minded, beginning with the tower building exercises. What would you do if someone laid out spaghetti sticks and marshmallows and asked you to use those two foods to build a structure as high as possible? Yes, there was competition and lots of laughter. Each team was actually learning the value of teamwork, with more than a little creative thinking thrown in. You can judge the tall creations for yourself by viewing our slideshow.
The Myers-Briggs test focused on techniques that will bring these new student pharmacists success in school and later in their professional career. It determined the personality of the test takers and helped them understand how to study smarter for their personality type and what they would need to achieve a balance between college and personal life.
The "Choice" seminar stirred up some good student feedback as they were asked to explore the subject of self-deception, especially in how it might relate to their lives as professional pharmacists in the future. They learned about "the box," and that thinking in or out of it could determine their success and happiness in life. Though the class was held late in the day, the participants appeared to be thoroughly engaged in the subject matter.
Student organizations had their chance to shine later in the week by presenting slide shows with "rockin'" music to bolster the appeal of joining their organizations. Later they set up tables in the atrium to sell some pharmacy school essentials and their fundraiser items, such as HSOP t-shirts.
To top things off, APAA president, Phillip Rigsby created a welcome diversion with his speech about how a pharmacist has to wear many hats. He received gales of laughter as he illustrated his points by trying on real and, viewed out of context, funny hats. Rigsby's made his appearance via videoconferencing.
(Notice that candid photos of all the events listed here can also be viewed as slide shows from the left menu bar.)
Mock Malpractice Trial on Television
Friday's mock trial attracted media attention again this year. A film crew from the Alabama Public Television show, "On the Job," showed up to tape the mock trial as a part of a segment on becoming a pharmacist that featured Auburn's Harrison School of Pharmacy. The segment aired at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21. Produced by Alabama Industrial Development Training, the show informs viewers about various occupations in the state and about the requirements to enter those professions. View HSOP "On the Job" at the following link: http://rm.auburn.edu:554/ramgen/real2/hsop4rm/on_the_job_hsop.rm
About the Case
The case involved arguments and deliberations in a fictional civil law suit against a pharmacist. All new student pharmacists were in attendance and numerous other visitors. The trial took place in HSOP's tiered auditorium with the assistance of real lawyers.
Attorney Mark Conradi, an AU pharmacy graduate from Clanton and a law professor at AU, presented the case for the defense. Robbie Treese, a prosecutor with the Lee County District Attorney's office, was the Plaintiff’s attorney. Judge Jacob A. Walker, presiding Judge in the Lee County Circuit Court, acted as judge. The witnesses and the jury were faculty, staff and student pharmacists volunteers. Throughout the week, the P1s worked on a "case study" about the mock trial.
The case revolved around a fictional young female who was prescribed an anticoagulant, and a few weeks later, is prescribed an antibiotic for a different ailment. The pharmacist overlooked a known interaction problem between the medications, which resulted in the patient’s death. The trial reinforced the scope of patient care responsibility that pharmacists must assume.
This is the fourth year HSOP has presented a mock trial, an event unique among schools of pharmacy. The trial has proved a valuable tool to introduce students to the law and the professional responsibilities of pharmacists. One thing for sure, it made all future pharmacists attending look at their chosen profession from a new perspective.White Coat Ceremony
Saturday brought the week to a close starting with a morning meeting between Dean Evans and the parents. The grand finale was the White Coat Ceremony in which the new student pharmacists received their white coats, one of the most recognizable symbols of the professional pharmacist. Each student posed for a photo with the Dean as they received their white coats. This year the event was held at the Lakeview Baptist Church. (See slideshow on the left sidebar.)Acknowledgements
Good luck to the new 2013 class. Many thanks to lawyers Conradi, Treese and Judge Walker for participating in the mock trial exercise. Thanks also to the HSOP faculty, staff and student pharmacists who helped to make the week a success. Thanks to our sponsors (listed below) for providing meals during the week and sponsoring the White Coat Ceremony. Your support was much appreciated.Below is a run-down of Orientation week’s activities:
MONDAY
Computer pick-up/ ID Cards/Bookstore
TUESDAY
Introduction and Welcome by Dean Evans
Computer, Blackboard and Information Skills
Orientation to Team Rooms
Tuesday Lunch (sponsored by Walgreens
History of pharmacy/medications
Pharmaceutical Care Process
Future of Pharmacy
Student Organizations
WEDNESDAY
Breakfast (sponsored by Winn-Dixie)
Portfolio Orientation
Pharmacy Internship/P4 advice to P1s
Orientation to Distant Education/Mobile
Professionalism and Goals
Tower Building Exercise and Lunch (sponsored by Rite Aid)
Team Meeting #1 (Drawing Exercise)
The "Choice" Seminar
THURSDAY
Committee for Admissions and Academic Progress/Counseling/Study Skills
Pharmacy Curriculum and assessment
Myers-Briggs and Diversity
Lunch (sponsored by Sears Holdings/Kmart)
Professionalism/Goals— what it means to care/the value of service
Team Meeting #2/Professionalism/Discussion of Mock Trial Case
Dinner at HSOP Flex-Auditorium (sponsored by CVS)
FRIDAY
Professionalism and Honor Code
Early Professional Experience Orientation
Team Meeting #3 (Mock Trial Case)
Lunch with exercises (sponsored by APAA)
Mock Trial
SATURDAY
Reflective Writings due and Final Exam
Parent's Meeting with the Dean
The White Coat Ceremony (sponsored by Wal-Mart)
