Yesterday was a good day for raising America’s consciousness about the value of pharmacists with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and many others in the Obama administration. My blog post yesterday provided some background on the Million Hearts Initiative that HHS launched with our support. Today’s photo shows how well pharmacy was represented at the meeting. You’ll notice, in front of the group of students and residents, U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, MD, MBA, and Tom Frieden, MD, MPH, the head of CDC. Both were impressed that we got so many students to the event, and both had great things to say about the essential role that pharmacists play in the promotion of cardiovascular health in this country.

I’d like to thank each of the students and residents who participated. As is always the case in advocacy work, just showing up is huge! I listened to a number of conversations that were going on around me after the formal event, and I was highly impressed with how well our students can speak about patient services with Don Berwick, MD, MPP, from CMS and Janet Wright, MD, a cardiologist who has been tapped to lead this initiative. Here’s a tip of the hat to all those who have a role in teaching these wonderful representatives of our profession.