On Monday, October 27, I headed to Little Rock, Arkansas, at the invitation of APhA–APPM President and Trustee Nicki Hilliard, PharmD, BCNP. During this trip I had the chance to interact with a number of students from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Pharmacy. Over lunch we had a very lively Q&A session. Following lunch, I toured the campus facilities and spent some time at the Clinical Skills Center and the Simulation Center, a state-of-the-art facility.

After the campus tour, I enjoyed an informal meet and greet with members of the College of Pharmacy faculty. We had a chance to discuss some of the issues facing the profession. I wrapped up the afternoon by visiting the 12th Street Clinic, an interprofessional, student-led community clinic. Lanita White, PharmD, director of the clinic, provided a facility tour, and I got to observe the exciting work the students are doing there. It makes me proud to see what our students can do in advancing our mission.

On Monday evening, Hilliard organized a dinner for me with a number of faculty and state pharmacy leaders. Among the attendees were Stephanie Gardner, PharmD, EdD, Dean and Professor for the College of Pharmacy; Mark Riley, PharmD, Scott Pace, PharmD, and Eric Crumbaugh, PharmD, from the Arkansas Pharmacists Association; student leaders Brandi Browers, National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Chapter President, and Brett Bailey, APhA–ASP Chapter President; and APhA Trustee Tery Baskin, PharmD, FAPhA.

On Tuesday, October 28, we visited the Clinton Library. Over pizza at noon, I made my presentation to the APhA–ASP and NCPA student leaders and talked about provider status for pharmacists. I shared with the students an overview of APhA’s collaborative activities, the current status of legislation, and how they can help to support provider status efforts.

Arkansas is an amazing APhA–ASP chapter, frequently recognized for its excellence. Eddie Dunn, PharmD, the current chapter advisor and 2009 APhA–ASP Outstanding Chapter Advisor recipient, is a star! My interactions with the students, faculty, and state leaders were an excellent source of feedback and left me energized. I owe a big thank you to Nicki Hilliard and Dean Gardner for organizing such an outstanding visit to Arkansas and UAMS.