While the weather this week sure does not feel like fall is upon us, it’s time for the kiddos to get back to school which also means it’s time for WMSHP activities to start up again.  Our June summer planning meeting was quite productive and I am excited for the upcoming months.  While the Board was hopeful we would be able to gather in person this fall, we have decided that our monthly meetings will continue to be via Zoom through the remainder of 2021.  We do not take this decision lightly but know it is in the best interest of our members, families, and patients.  Other organizations have also decided to conduct their annual fall meetings virtually, including MSHP and ACCP.

Our fall continuing education programming will kick off on September 16^th with Dr. Curtis Smith presenting “Vaccine Update 2021: COVID-19 and Beyond.”  I am confident Dr. Smith will deliver a very engaging and educational presentation.  Both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians may register here.  As health-system pharmacists, technicians, residents, and students, we have all been aware of the importance of vaccination against preventable diseases even before the current pandemic.  The current days we are living in have certainly heightened this awareness.  ASHP has developed a free toolkit that can be accessed by members as well as non-members.  I encourage you to visit their COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence Toolkit and utilize their resources to promote vaccinations in our communities.

With the start of fall, comes the next group of P4 students interested in post-graduate training.  Our annual WMSHP/Ferris State University Residency Showcase will be held virtually on October 7^th.  Registration may be completed via the WMSHP website in the coming weeks.  We received positive feedback after the last showcase last year.  If you have any suggestions of how we may improve it for this year, please do not hesitate to contact me at schmidtj@bronsonhg.org.

Board nominations: Current West Michigan PGY-1 and PGY-2 residents should have received information from your RPD earlier this month regarding our Resident-At-Large position.  Please remember to submit your application no later than this Friday, August 27^th.  In addition to our Resident-At-Large position, we will also be accepting nominations in the near future for President-elect, Treasurer, and Board (four pharmacists and one technician).  Please strongly consider nominating a coworker, friend, or yourself who is interested in advancing health-system pharmacy!