APhA CEO Thomas E. Menighan to Speak to Students about Professional Pride

Session is part of student organization’s new Pathway to Professionalism program

By Janessa Smith
September 21, 2010

To kick-off the start of the American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) newly implemented professionalism series, Pathway to Professionalism, Thomas E. Menighan, BSPharm, MBA, executive vice president and chief executive officer of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), will speak to University of Maryland School of Pharmacy students on September 27 about the importance of professional pride. Menighan received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (BSPharm) in 1974 from West Virginia University School of Pharmacy and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in 1990 from Averett College.

Throughout his career, Menighan has served volunteer roles within the profession of pharmacy, including president of APhA from 2001 to 2002, and as a member of the APhA Board of Trustees from 1995 to 2003. He was a senior staff member of APhA from 1987 to 1992. While on staff as senior director of external affairs, he managed state affairs, public relations, new business development, and practice management issues. Menighan’s diverse experience and depth of knowledge about the profession makes him a valuable resource for student pharmacists.

The new program, Pathway to Professionalism, provides a structured environment for students to develop into young professionals. It consists both of new programs that APhA-ASP has developed and existing programs that are sponsored and coordinated by various other organizations on campus. Participation is voluntary but students who go above and beyond what is required will be recognized at the end of each year.

APhA-ASP has created a few highlights for the series including a two-speaker event, a book program, and a faculty fashion show. APhA-ASP plans to have a different speaker each semester who will emphasize professionalism both while in school and throughout the student’s career. APhA-ASP has also created a book program where various leaders throughout the profession of pharmacy have donated books that they feel have helped them throughout their careers. The books will be raffled off during general body meetings. In addition to events that APhA-ASP has created, the series also includes existing events from other campus organizations such as Phi Lambda Sigma’s CV workshop in November and the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy’s etiquette dinner in the Spring semester.

“For students, this new series provides a structured program to meet new curriculum requirements as well as demonstrates to future employers their ambition and self-determination,” says Janessa Smith, a member of the Class of 2012 and president of the School of Pharmacy’s APhA-ASP chapter. “Today, having a well-developed, well-rounded CV is crucial to securing a job after graduation. Pathway to Professionalism allows students to emphasize on paper their desire to grow both as a young professional and as a leader. This series also benefits the organizations involved because it will increase attendance at their events as students attempt to meet the requirements of the program.”

For more information about the program and ways you can become involved, please contact Chapter President Janessa Smith (jsmit037@umaryland.edu).