2024 Chapter Innovation Poster Session
We are excited to showcase the innovative posters that were presented for the annual Chapter Innovation Poster Session during our 2024 Phi Lambda Sigma Leadership Summit. We’re immensely proud of the dedication and ongoing leadership growth exhibited by our chapters. Witness the profound impact of our PLS chapters by exploring their posters below.
Leadership Development
Zeta Chapter’s Debut of the 2024 National Officer Resource Guide
Primary Presenter:
Emily Rudisell
Primary Presenter Contact: rudisele@email.sc.edu
Chapter: Zeta
Abstract:
Our project, a resource guide of organizations in the College describing student positions outside of their local chapters, began in September of 2023 and was finalized on November 30th, 2023 when the College of Pharmacy was invited to attend a presentation of the guide. We had 31 students and faculty in attendance to showcase features of the guide. We coordinated efforts with our Rho Chi Beta Alpha chapter’s Special Event Coordinators to delegate tasks for this project to have efficient completion. We created a timeline that consisted of reaching out to all organization presidents regarding interest in participation, having these presidents submit information on their organization (such as organization layout, state and national positions, requirements for applying to the student positions, opportunities for conferences, and contact information for previous students who have held the position), taking and condensing the information given by the presidents to contain only important points, making a template for the Resource Guide and then finally inputting all of the information about the organizations and their national, and state when applicable, student positions. This was a project which required no funding and minimal resources. The resources which were used consisted of the College’s existing organizations and those organization’s national websites. Lunch was provided for attendees, but this was paid for by existing funds from the PLS and Rho Chi accounts. This was quite an innovative project because it is the first Resource Guide to come from our College of Pharmacy; it impacted our students by opening their eyes to leadership opportunities outside of the College. While we wish that there was more attendance at the initial debut, we have seen students accessing the Guide since November and know that it will continue to be used and updated for years to come as our future leaders keep developing.
Mentorship
Beta Delta’s Mentorship Academy
Primary Presenter:
Na Yoon Kang
Primary Presenter Contact: nak176@pitt.edu
Chapter: Beta Delta
Abstract:
The Beta Delta chapter has consistently endeavored to foster the cultivation of leadership skills and the professional development of its members. A notable milestone in this pursuit was the establishment of the Mentorship Academy during the academic year 2022-2023. This initiative has been dedicated to advancing the growth of Phi Lambda Sigma (PLS) members and extending its benefits to non-PLS members. In this year’s Mentorship Academy, 53 members made up of mentors, mentees, and PLS members participated in the session.
For the first session, mentors and mentees engaged in comprehensive discussions encompassing various categories such as academic guidance, clinical experience, time management, balance, professional development, and career advice. Subsequently, the second session, themed “Connecting the Personal to the Professional,” featured Dr. Latamore, who shared insights into her personal identities, experiences, and privileges, specifically relating to professional and social domains. Participants formed groups and engaged in discussions pertinent to the topic.
These sessions proved instrumental in facilitating connections, encouraging the exchange of individual perspectives, and providing valuable advice to foster leadership skills and professional identities. Participants expressed appreciation for the open and conducive environment that allowed for insightful questioning, mutual learning, and active participation, generating enthusiasm for the forthcoming sessions.
The upcoming sessions include “Work-Life Balance” with Dr. Venkat, “Leadership in Pharmacy and Academia” with Dr. Neal Benedict, and “Putting Thoughts to Action” featuring a collaborative effort between fourth-year pharmacy students and young alumni. The Beta Delta Chapter is committed to expanding its repertoire of sessions and looks forward to forging collaborative partnerships with other organizations and faculty members in the future.
Getting All Worked Up for Nothing: Inspiring Confidence in Student Pharmacists Preparing for Inpatient Rotations
Primary Presenter: Bianca Davison
Primary Presenter Contact: biancadavison@my.unthsc.edu
Chapter: Epsilon Beta
Abstract:
One of the most common challenges for students on inpatient rotations is learning the process of working up a patient. To help students prepare for IPPE and APPE rotations, PLS Epsilon Beta hosted a virtual workshop led by Epsilon Beta alumni and MyMichigan Medical Center Midland PGY1 resident, Dr. Rebecca Nelson. The workshop, titled “Working Up Hospitalized Patients 101,” was primarily aimed to advance and strengthen student pharmacists’ ability to work up patients in order to grow their confidence going into hospital rotations. P1–P4 student pharmacists at the University of North Texas Health Science Center were invited to participate in the event, which took place on March 8th, 2024 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Students were prompted to complete a 5-point Likert pre-survey before the meeting began and asked the same questions again in a post-survey after the meeting concluded to capture participant confidence in their clinical ability. After completing the workshop, confidence in the following areas were assessed: ability to work up patients, ability to provide care to a patient, ability to create and present appropriate clinical interventions to an interdisciplinary healthcare team, and ability to succeed on rotations.
Membership Engagement
The Impact of Anonymizing Application Materials on New Member Engagement
Primary Presenter: Keiana Faltz
Primary Presenter Contact: keiana.faltz@wilkes.edu
Chapter: Beta Psi
Abstract:
For new member applications for this academic year (2023-2024), to eliminate implications of bias, all written application materials (CVs, letters of recommendation, personal statements) were anonymized. This included de-identifying applicant information (names), as well as numerical identities for applicants. The de-identification was completed by the chapter president. The interview remained in-person and therefore was not anonymous, so scoring was performed separately. Making each of the written materials anonymous to the current members for review may have contributed to the large number of potential new members as the applicants were not as intimidated by potential sources of bias. At the conclusion of interviews, scoring for written materials as well as the scoring for the interview were added together to get a final score, which had minimum values for acceptance. These items were each scored using new rubrics made by the chapter president. After completing this process, some lessons learned include to de-identify class year on CVs to eliminate age association, as well as specific club involvement (i.e. instead of President of APhA, it would say President of _). If we continue to anonymize new member applications, it may contribute to increased participation in the future. All members, including new inductees, are being surveyed regarding their opinions of the process, but preliminary feedback has been positive.
Community Service/ Engagement
The Introduction of Philanthropy Day to the Leadership Development Series
Primary Presenter: Keiana Faltz
Primary Presenter Contact: keiana.faltz@wilkes.edu
Chapter: Beta Psi
Abstract:
Last year, Beta Psi began brainstorming ways to increase philanthropy at a chapter level, as well as to encourage collaboration among the 16 pharmacy clubs within the school of pharmacy. To combine these ideas, we created a new philanthropy event open to each of the clubs within the school of pharmacy to encourage teamwork and participation. On September 30th, 2023, we executed this plan with 35 students and two faculty members in an event at the YMCA’s Camp Kresge. In the four hours we volunteered, we aided in trail maintenance, painting their new craft room, and belaying the ropes course for guests at the camp. After the conclusion of our volunteer efforts, they provided us with lunch in the dining hall. This event boosted morale in the pharmacy clubs and improved the philanthropic image of Phi Lambda Sigma at Wilkes University, which may improve participation in the future as we continue to host this event annually. Feedback from participants on lessons learned include teamwork and communication skills.
Alumni Engagement
Leadership Development and Professional Contributions of Phi Lambda Sigma Alumni
Primary Presenter:
Seth Longwort
Primary Presenter Contact: longwost@mail.uc.edu
Chapter: Alpha Omicron
Abstract:
Our study evaluates the post-graduation journeys of Phi Lambda Sigma (PLS) alumni and their professional trajectories and leadership roles within healthcare. By examining the career paths and leadership experiences of PLS alumni, our research provides insights for PLS, as well as researchers, health professionals, and emerging leaders.
We hypothesize that PLS alumni who rate their involvement as a greater contributor to their leadership development will have a larger number of leadership contributions in their respective field of pharmacy practice.
To investigate this hypothesis, we will employ a “Post PLS Leadership Questionnaire,” during early 2024, designed to assess leadership contributions and experiences post-graduation among members of the UC PLS Chapter. Our alumni roster includes approximately 400 names ranging from class of 1991 to present, and we hope for a response rate of 50 alumni. The UC alumni foundation is assisting with alumni outreach. This project is being conducted as a student’s capstone research for the Master’s in Pharmacy Leadership program at UC.
Through this survey, we will gather data on the PLS Membership Experience and Leadership Contributions post-graduation, as well as gauge the extent that PLS membership contributed to respondents’ leadership skills and capabilities. The study findings will be invaluable for benchmarking leadership development programs, guiding career decisions for students, and refining professional development initiatives within healthcare institutions. Moreover, by understanding the interplay between alumni career paths and leadership experiences gained through PLS membership, we seek to illuminate how these elements synergize to facilitate substantial contributions in various healthcare fields. Ultimately, successful PLS alumni can serve as sources of inspiration and mentorship, fostering the growth of future leaders and enriching the healthcare community.
This poster presentation will provide a summary and assessment of survey results, offering insights into the role of PLS membership in shaping leadership development within healthcare.
