Jefferson School of Pharmacy Student Erick Moyer Selected to Attend Government Relations Advocacy Program

PHILADELPHIA, PA (03/18/2011)(readMedia)-- Erick Moyer of Philadelphia, PA, was one of five Jefferson School of Pharmacy (JSP) students selected by the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA) to attend the organization's fourth annual Government Relations Advocacy for Student Pharmacists (GRASP) program held in Harrisburg, PA, February 18-20, 2011. He attended the conference with his peers, Saranyu Ravi, Thuy Le, Ayalew Tassew and Vladislav Tsimbler.

GRASP is a three-day legislative conference which focuses on government relations, legislative action, media training and the regulatory process. Twenty-one students from Pennsylvania schools of pharmacy attended the conference.

"I have wanted to get into politics for years and have been looking for a cause that I believe in," shares Moyer. "I think that focusing my passion for service to others through pharmacy legislation will have a tremendous impact on improving the lives of the community."

Guest speakers from a variety of practice settings introduced the student pharmacists to the legislative side of the profession. Speakers included Ed Bechtel, RPh, State Board of Pharmacy, who answered questions pertaining to proposed and future regulations; Coleen Kayden, RPh, Consultant Pharmacist of Medication Information Services, who spoke about being visible to the public such as holding screenings, developing relationships with physicians and organizing creative community outreach programs; and Matt Franchak of Senator Mike Stack's (D-Philadelphia) office, who shared about current issues. Pat Epple, CAE, CEO of PPA; Matt DiLoreto, Government Relations Manager of PPA; and Angela Robison, Membership Coordinator for PPA spoke about legislative issues and the importance of advocacy, media relations, policy making and leadership.