As medication experts on the healthcare team, clinical pharmacists are playing integral roles in providing care for patients across the country. The roles and responsibilities of the clinical pharmacist will continue to expand into the future as pharmacists continue to demonstrate their value in promoting optimal patient outcomes. ACCP is dedicated to develop the clinical pharmacist and the field of clinical pharmacy as a whole. With a focus on patient care, research, and education, ACCP supports clinical pharmacy as it is today while also driving and defining the future of clinical pharmacy.
Because of ACCP’s investment in the future, the organization provides innumerable opportunities for students to get involved. There are more than 70 ACCP Student Chapters at universities across the country, enabling students to engage with ACCP at the local level and develop skills as a student leader. Nationally, ACCP offers a CV review service, publishes a student newsletter, hosts the Clinical Pharmacy Challenge and Clinical Research Challenge, and provides access to Practice and Research Networks (PRNs). Additionally, students have access to networking opportunities through serving on the National Student Network Advisory Committee or attending the ACCP Annual Meeting, which is full of programming for students, including the day-long “Emerge from the Crowd” program. I encourage you to explore this website, as there are many great student resources right here as well.
The future of clinical pharmacy is bright, and it is a great time to be a student pharmacist. I hope you will find ACCP to be an invaluable part of your pharmacy school career, and a great asset as you prepare for a rewarding career in clinical pharmacy.