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PharmD

Student Organizations and Activities

Students in the School of Pharmacy have the opportunity to participate in a variety of student organizations and activities, including our local chapters of National pharmacy organizations, community engagement activities, and more. Students may also serve as elected or appointed student representatives on a number of School of Pharmacy and University committees and/or advisory groups. Participation in student organizations and extracurricular activities offers the opportunity for professional and personal development, additional extracurricular learning, community, networking, and service.

Current students can view more information in the UW PharmD Canvas page (requires UW NetID login).

Unified Professional Pharmacy Organizations of Washington (UPPOW)

UPPOW Facebook Page – Email UPPOW

UPPOW includes the student chapters of APhA (American Pharmacists Association), ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists), FIP (International Pharmaceutical Federation), NCPA (National Community Pharmacists Association), and WSPA (Washington State Pharmacy Association). Benefits include publication subscriptions, career information, invitations to attend continuing education seminars and conferences, scholarship opportunities, and opportunities to network with students and practitioners from across the world. Students are encouraged to participate in professional development programs, leadership opportunities, and community outreach activities offered by both UPPOW and the parent organizations. UPPOW also sponsors monthly meetings, speaker presentations, and a variety of social events. The chapter also engages in service activities such as health fairs, public education programs, and community outreach.

Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP)

National Organization

The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy is a national professional society dedicated to the concept and practice of pharmaceutical care in managed health care environments. AMCP-UW provides pharmacy students with the exposure to the concept of formularies, cost-effectiveness studies, and P&T committees. AMCP’s mission is to provide an understanding of various roles of pharmacists in insurance companies, consulting firms and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Students will have an opportunity to be in the AMCP annual P&T competition as well as making valuable connections. Nationally, the Academy has more than 4,800 members and provides comprehensive coverage to over 200 million Americans served by managed care.

American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP)

National Organization

Our mission is to advance the reach and practice of psychiatric pharmacy and serve as the voice of the specialty.

American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)

National Organization

The American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) is a professional and scientific society that provides leadership, education, advocacy, and resources enabling clinical pharmacists to achieve excellence in practice, research, and education. ACCP is the professional home for clinical pharmacy practitioners, scientists, educators, administrators, students, residents, and fellows from more than 60 countries committed to excellence in clinical pharmacy.

American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP)

National Organization

The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) is an international professional organization whose stated mission is to provide leadership, education, advocacy, and resources to advance the practice of consultant and senior care pharmacy. The UW student chapter offers a number of activities, including public education and professional outreach activities, in full support of that mission.

Bridges to Health (B2H)

Email Bridges to Health

Bridges to Health was formed in recent years with the intent of promoting and facilitating community outreach through UWSOP. Our main focus of these events are underserved populations in the greater Seattle area or wherever else may need our help. We are also unique in our membership qualifications – there is no cost, you can come and go as you please, and although we are affiliated with UPPOW, you do not need to be a member of UPPOW to be a member of Bridges to Health! In other words, your involvement depends on you. While we have a few projects that have been ongoing throughout the years, bringing in fresh new ideas is what keeps us going. Some of our projects have included work with Urban Rest Stop, Refugee Women’s Alliance, Tent City 4 and outreach in Honduras with Global Medical Brigades. We are always looking for new ideas that could lead to beneficial involvement and support from student pharmacists.

Industry Pharmacists Organization (IPhO)

National Organization

The Industry Pharmacists Organization is exclusively dedicated to advancing the careers of industry pharmacists. IPhO accomplishes this by:

  • Providing timely and relevant information that is vital to our members.
  • Raising awareness among employers and industry executives about the role that industry pharmacists can play in drug development and appropriate medication use.
  • Providing targeted resources and coaching to enhance members’ continuing education and professional development.
  • Creating opportunities for members to network and exchange ideas with their industry pharmacist peers.
  • Providing access to attractive and relevant employment opportunities available in the industry.

Kappa Psi

UW Chapter National Organization

Kappa Psi is the largest professional fraternity for pharmacists, and is the third largest pharmacy organization in America. Men and women are invited to join the University of Washington chapter (Beta Omicron), which is one of over 60 collegiate chapters in the United States. Students are generally pledged during Winter Quarter. The fraternity provides fellowship and mutual support to its members. Kappa Psi members form lifelong friendships and professional contacts. Many of the faculty members belong to the Seattle Graduate Chapter, which actively aids the collegiate chapter. As befits an organization whose primary goal is to develop the social and interpersonal skills of its members, the Beta Omicron chapter includes an annual Spring School of Pharmacy picnic in the activities it sponsors.

PediaPUPS (Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group – PPAG)

UW ChapterNational Organization

PediaPUPS is the UW chapter of the Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group (PPAG). Our mission is to develop and establish rapport within the pediatric community in the greater Seattle area. We aim to safely and effectively advocate for this unique patient population through philanthropic, outreach, and education opportunities. Through our events, pharmacy students learn more about the pediatric patient population in various settings including awareness of different disease states, medical conditions, and socioeconomic backgrounds. PediaPUPS works to educate the pediatric population and their caregivers about medication safety and germ prevention. Additionally, students have the opportunity to learn more about pediatric pharmacy practice through quarterly education seminars and shadowing opportunities at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Pharmacy for Reproductive Education and Sexual Health (PhRESH)

PhRESH is a Registered Student Organization at the University of Washington. Our aim is to promote the involvement of the pharmacy profession to expand access to contraception, educate about reproduction and sexual health, and serve as a guide for the community in finding additional information and services. We want to be a resource for health service professionals by providing information about contraception, women’s health, STDs, and billing for medical services. As student pharmacists we want to increase our understanding about these key issues and be proactive, compassionate, and knowledgeable in providing patient care.

Phi Lambda Sigma

National Organization

Phi Lambda Sigma (Pharmacy Leadership Society) is a national honorary membership recognizing outstanding leadership ability. Student members partner with faculty and practitioners in a variety of projects that actively promote leadership in the profession. The chapter also organizes activities for the Center for Pharmacy Leadership and Professional Excellence. Students are selected for membership beginning in their second professional year based on criteria that include: leadership in local, state or national pharmacy organizations, participation in school organizations and involvement in community service activities. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required.

Rho Chi

UW Chapter Facebook page – National Organization

Rho Chi is a national pharmacy honor society that recognizes outstanding academic achievement. Students in their second professional year who rank in the top 20 percent of their class are invited to become members each spring. In addition to the annual initiation banquet, Rho Chi engages in a variety of service activities including tutoring, scholarship fundraising and preparing an exhibit for the biannual Health Sciences Open House.

Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA)

National Organization

The Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) is an educational service association of pharmacy students who are concerned about pharmacy and healthcare related issues, as well as to increase the diversity and minority representation in pharmacy and other health-related professions. The purpose of SNPhA is to plan, organize, coordinate and execute programs geared toward the improvement of the health, educational, and social environment of the community.

We aim to offer student members the opportunity to develop leadership and professional skills, educate students about and promote active participation in national health care issues, develop the role of the minority health professional as a vital member of the health care team, develop within communities a positive image of minority health professionals, and to educate communities on better health practices and to increase their awareness and understanding of diseases.

National and Washington State Professional Associations, Councils and Commissions