Professional engagement for pharmacy students

by Ana Daisy Griffin, fourth-year student pharmacist

Ana Daisy Griffin has been engaged in the local chapter of the American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists, an invaluable resource throughout her experience in pharmacy school. Students involved in APhA-ASP gain access to a global network of pharmacists and resources, including conferences that facilitate professional networking. Membership also offers opportunities to run for leadership positions at the local, regional and national levels. This is her story about engagement and achievement as a student professional. 

I had the privilege of serving as the patient care vice president for our chapter for the past two years. APhA-ASP supports six national patient care projects: Operation Diabetes, Operation Heart, Operation Reproductive Health, Operation Immunization, Operation Substance Use Disorder and Operation Over-the-Counter Medicine Safety. Each of these projects is supported by a national partner.

At the 2025 APhA Annual Meeting held in Nashville, Tennessee, in March, the Harding chapter was honored with two national awards and a plaque for our regional achievements. We earned second runner-up for both the OTC Medicine Safety Operation and the Division AAA Chapter Achievement Report. Additionally, we received the Region 6 award for Operation Substance Use Disorder.

At the Midyear Regional Meeting, held in early November in collaboration with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy chapter, Harding was recognized with the Region 6 Operation Substance Use Disorder Award. 

One of the most impactful initiatives in our Substance Use Disorder campaign was a Lunch and Learn event in partnership with the Arkansas Collegiate Network. ACN is dedicated to addressing substance misuse across Arkansas’ higher education institutions. The event, which was open to all pharmacy students, staff and faculty, educated attendees about substance use disorders and naloxone (Narcan), a life-saving drug that can be administered in the event of an opioid overdose. Participants were provided with lunch, a T-shirt, mask, Narcan wallet card and an informational flyer. We also distributed personal Narcan doses to financially struggling students to ensure greater accessibility, enhancing overdose preparedness on campus.

Another significant event was Substance Safety and Naloxone, a collaboration with Harding preprofessional health sciences students to educate participants on recognizing overdoses and administering Narcan. We also partnered with Upward Bound to educate high school students on the risks of tobacco, vaping and addiction. By sharing this knowledge, we empowered students to spread awareness within their communities.

A major initiative was our collaboration with Harding and ACN to increase campus access to Naloxone. With University support, we successfully integrated naloxone into AED units across campus, especially in high-traffic areas during public events. We also trained campus police on proper naloxone maintenance and administration, significantly enhancing campus safety and overdose preparedness.

This project began in my second year when I helped co-write a grant to fund the placement of naloxone across campus. The initiative has made a lasting impact on campus safety and contributed to our chapter’s recognition. I also co-wrote and produced an educational video about naloxone that will soon be available to Harding students.

In addition to our Substance Use Disorder efforts, we earned second runner-up for the OTC Medicine Safety Operation. Our OTC Medicine Safety campaign included various community-driven events to promote safe medication use. One highlight was our Halloween Trunk or Treat event where, in collaboration with the Searcy Chamber of Commerce, we distributed candy along with safety tips on tampering, allergies and Halloween precautions. 

Our chapter also volunteered at the Arkansas Mission of Mercy’s free dental clinic, offering translation services and medication counseling. We worked with the counseling centers at Arkansas State University to host mental health screening fairs, and during Red Ribbon Week, we educated junior high students on OTC and prescription medications and how to respond to poisoning or medication interactions.

We also supported the Brownie Scouts’ First Aid Adventure Badge event, teaching first aid skills to Girl Scouts. Through these events, we empowered participants and honed our members' communication skills. Additionally, we continued our partnership with the El Puente Hispanic Service Center to educate expectant mothers on safe OTC medication use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

To maintain our chapter’s standing, we submit an annual Chapter Achievement Report to update APhA-ASP on our activities. This year, we were named second runner-up for the Division AAA Chapter Achievement Award. The 88-page report documents our chapter's resilience and accomplishments, particularly in light of challenges such as restarting our prepharmacy program, transitioning to a 3.5-year curriculum and managing overlapping officer positions due to the curriculum change. This recognition is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of the students in Harding University’s College of Pharmacy. I am incredibly grateful God decided to bring me to Harding!