Jefferson School of Pharmacy Student Saranyu Ravi Selected to Attend Government Relations Advocacy Program

PHILADELPHIA, PA (03/18/2011)(readMedia)-- Saranyu Ravi of Belleville, IL, 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. She attended the conference with her peers, Erick Moyer, 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. "The GRASP program increased my awareness on the importance of advocacy as a student and as a future pharmacist," said Ravi.

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.

Jefferson School of Pharmacy is part of Thomas Jefferson University, an academic health center in Philadelphia, Pa. The School offers a 4-year Doctor of Pharmacy degree and shares a campus with Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Jefferson Medical College, Jefferson College of Graduate Studies and Jefferson Schools of Nursing, Health Professions and Population Health. For more information visit www.jefferson.edu/pharmacy.