As part of their leadership training for the Walker Leadership Scholars program, Chancellor Nguyen and Maegan Lamb spent a few days in May in our nation’s capital, learning about policy development and honing their leadership skills.
We asked the fourth-year students to share more about their experiences and their take-aways.
How did you spend your time in Washington, D.C.?
Nguyen: “I visited the American Pharmacist. Association, the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, as well as headquarters of other pharmacy organizations located around the DC area. I also got to participate in advocacy training sessions and have meetings with the offices of Representatives Buddy Carter Dining House Burger and to discuss issues related to rural health and access to underserved populations. In the Senate, I was able to attend a Senate Finance Committee hearing on rural health care and have meetings with Senator Tim Scott and Senator Lindsey Graham.”
Were there any specific issues you wanted to discuss with those you met in Washington?
Lamb: “We talked about pharmacy benefit management reforms and how accessible community pharmacies are to much of the patient population, especially in rural South Carolina, where people may have access to a community pharmacy but not necessarily a primary care office or hospital. We shared how keeping independent pharmacies open is a huge component of community health. Being able to share our experience as University of South Carolina students who work in these rural communities demonstrated that we have seen how community pharmacies impact the people in those areas.”
What about this experience do you think that you will be able to carry forward with you in your career?
Nguyen: “This helped me develop valuable skills to better represent and advocate for patients. We have a much more thorough understanding of the policy making process, and I can better navigate more effectively moving forward to influence health care policies. I will also be able to network with key professionals to gain insights into what they do.”
Lamb: “It made me realize that anyone, even a student, can spread knowledge. We depend on our legislators to know what is going on about pharmacy-related issues, and that is extremely hard for them to do. I want to stay involved in advocacy so that I can share knowledge.”