by Angela Farlow, Student Public Relations Writer
Luke Mennen of Carmel, Indiana, is currently in his last year of pharmacy school at Cedarville University. Mennen was recently selected to represent Cedarville University in Washington, D.C. for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) RxImpact Day on March 10-11.
Mennen and 59 other pharmacy students will spend two days learning and advocating for national health care issues. Mennen will be the first representative from Cedarville University to attend this event.
During the conference, pharmacy students will spend a day learning about pharmacy policy and what health care looks like as a public policy matter. The second day will be spent talking to senators and helping them understand important health care issues and possible solutions.
This year, a record-breaking 57 campuses, including Cedarville University’s school of pharmacy, the University of Michigan college of pharmacy and The Ohio State University’s college of pharmacy, will be represented at the event.
— Justin Cole
Topics that are expected to be discussed during NACDS RxImpact Day include prescription drug pricing and drug shortages. Mennen and other students will also lobby for the provider status of pharmacists, which allows pharmacists to be recognized as a provider and compensated for clinical services they provide, beyond their role in fulfilling prescriptions.
“The biggest thing that I want to learn from attending this event is to be more exposed and educated on things going on in pharmacy and health care,” said Mennen. “My desire is to make connections with other pharmacists and student pharmacists to exchange ideas.”
Mennen was selected through a competitive application process. He is currently doing rotations in the Cleveland, Ohio, area to complete the professional pharmacy program. He will graduate from Cedarville’s school of pharmacy in May.
Mennen heard about the opportunity to apply for this competitive event from his mentor, Dr. Justin Cole, chair and assistant professor of pharmacy practice at Cedarville.
“Luke understands and embraces the importance of advocating for better health care of the people in our communities through the provision of high-quality health care services by pharmacists,” said Cole. “He keeps patients in view, who ultimately benefit from the vital role a pharmacist plays as a member of their health care team.”
“I am excited to be the face of Cedarville and hopefully start the legacy of Cedarville representatives at this event. It is important for us to not only represent Cedarville well but also advocate for Christian pharmacists,” noted Mennen.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,380 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including the Doctor of Pharmacy program, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and high student engagement ranking. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.