My Summer Internship Experience at ASHP
by Emily Dotter, 2008 ASHP Summer Intern

My 10 weeks as the ASHP Summer Intern was a truly remarkable experience that made me aware of the many different aspects of health-system pharmacy.  I was able to work on a variety of projects that exposed me to many different areas of ASHP.

Within the Office of Member Relations, I worked to enhance the ASHP MentorExchange by promoting the program to key member groups within the organization. I provided a student’s perspective on the development of a brochure designed to increase pharmacy student awareness of Informatics.  I also worked on the development of an informational area on the ASHP web site highlighting information on loan forgiveness programs. I hope that many students and new practitioners utilize this information to help defray the cost of attending pharmacy school.  Working with the Practice Development Division, I helped prepare for the IV Safety Summit which was held this past July.  This multidisciplinary meeting really reinforced the importance of safe medication use and the need to develop standards to facilitate this. 

In addition to my project contributions, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend several meetings that were unique learning experiences.  These meetings included the ASHP Summer Meeting in Seattle, the Pharmacy Manpower Project annual meeting, a tour of nine pharmacy associations, accompanying members of the ASHP Government Affairs division to a meeting on Capitol Hill, and holding orientation meetings with thirty-three staff members at ASHP.  I also attended several workshops and presentations held at ASHP headquarters.  Each of these programs enhanced my internship experience in different capacities.

While working with many different divisions of the organization, I grew to appreciate what a valuable resource ASHP is to its members, and have become an even stronger advocate of the association. 

If you have any questions about the summer internship, please feel free to contact me at: ecdotter@gmail.com.