SIUE School of Pharmacy Student Community Service Recognized Nationally
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy students received national recognition at the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) conference in San Diego, March 28. The School’s student chapter of APhA Academy of Student Pharmacists (ASP) received an award for “Best Implementation of Generation Rx activities for Region 4.”
The Generation Rx Initiative is an educational program that increases public awareness of prescription medication abuse and encourages health care providers, community leaders, parents, teens, and college students to actively work to prevent abuse. The APhA challenges its chapters to develop, participate and collaborate with other pharmacists and community organizations to provide education regarding prescription drug abuse in the community.
Tina Messenger, third-year pharmacy student, is the Generation Rx Committee Chair. “This award means so much to the chapter,” she said. “Our hard work paid off in the community and was nationally recognized for the first time.”
In 2014, the SIUE chapter provided educational outreach to over 4,100 elementary through high school students through presentations created by SOP students. The presentations educated students on the consequences of prescription drug abuse.
Additionally, through the SIUE Faculty Homecoming Grant, the student chapter developed a Generation Rx Carnival, which was held on campus during homecoming week. The carnival was developed to educate all SIUE students, faculty and alumni on the dangers and consequences of prescription drugs, alcohol and illicit drug abuse and misuse. The chapter collaborated with SIUE Health Services, SIUE Counseling Services and the Madison County States Attorney Office. The carnival reached over 350 individuals.
The chapter has also participated in Alcohol Awareness Week with SIUE Counseling Services, facilitated an educational presentation to SIUE Health Services and participated in other community events. Upcoming events include presentations at a social work conference at SIUE and to freshmen health education classes at Belleville East High School.
Photo (L-R): Members of the SIUE APhA/ASP from left to right: Mallory Belcher, Anna Bray, Sarah Joachim, Zach Righter, Jessie Johnson, Ashley Beiser, Sarah Lance, Whitney Maher, Jenny Kasen, Zach Madej, Anna Arthur, Scott Sexton, Tina Messenger, Jordan Sinclair, Austin Lee, Dylan Smith, Alyssa Tomaszewski, Kelsey Elmore, Meghan Beukelman, Taylor Preuitt and Johhny Truong.
