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OPA Conference Promotes Pharmacy Education

by Kathryn Sill, Public Relations Writer

Students and faculty from the Cedarville University School of Pharmacy will have the chance to further their education at the Ohio Pharmacists Association’s (OPA) 138th Annual Conference and Trade Show from April 15-17 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.



The conference serves as a forum for pharmacy professionals and students to interact with each other, network with potential employers, and stay current on changes in the pharmaceutical industry.

“We do not want to teach our students about a practice of pharmacy that is stagnant and not moving forward,” said Melody L. Hartzler, Pharm.D., AE-C, BCACP, associate professor of pharmacy practice. “We want to be involved in the evolution of pharmacy practice and contribute to changing the paradigm of health care for the better.”

The OPA Conference provides learning opportunities for both students and pharmacy professionals through seminars, continuing education (CE) programs and student competitions.

Hartzler is among those presenting during a CE program called “Implementing Diabetes Services in Community and Ambulatory Care Settings.” She will be joined by several other pharmacy professionals on a panel that will educate the audience on establishing diabetes services at community pharmacies and outpatient clinics.

In addition to its educational seminars, the conference also includes several student competitions that Cedarville will take part in. The competitions include the Innovative Pharmacy Business Plan Competition, Over-the-Counter (OTC) and Self-Care Challenge and Pharmacy Olympics Social Event.

“I am looking forward to interacting with other students and pharmacy professionals at the conference,” said Sam Franklin, a first year professional pharmacy student from Beavercreek, Ohio. “Participating in the different competitions allows us to make clinical decisions in front of experts, who can guide us to best answers without worrying about affecting actual patients.”

The Ohio Pharmacists Association was founded in 1879 in Columbus, with the mission to unite professional pharmacists through public health and education.

Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,711 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 100 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.

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