Carolina Association of Pharmacy Students – Asheville (ACAPS)
About CAPS-Asheville
The vision of the Carolina Association of Pharmacy Students is to support student pharmacists at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy in marking significant contributions to diverse communities and leading innovation in the pharmacy profession as defined by annual goals. The mission of the CAPS is to engage students pharmacist by fostering professional development, providing patient care, and advocating for the pharmacy profession. Membership in ACAPs also grants you membership to APhA, ASHP, and NCAP.
- APhA is a national organization that represents pharmacists from all disciplines, with APhA-ASP is the branch solely dedicated to student pharmacists. There is a chapter of APhA-ASP at every school and college of pharmacy in the US. Our chapter has eight patient-care projects (PCPs), which include: Gender Health, Operation Self-Care, Operation Diabetes, Operation Heart, Operation Immunization, Generation Rx, Project AGE, and Smoking Cessation and Lung Health which we combine into two committee chair positions.
- ASHP is a national professional association that represents pharmacists who practice in hospitals, HMOs (health maintenance organizations), long term care, home care, and other areas of health care systems. ASHP-SSHP is the branch dedicated to student pharmacists. The Midyear Clinical Meeting hosted by ASHP is the largest gathering of pharmacists in the world.
- NCAP is a state organization with the purpose to unite, serve and advance the profession of pharmacy specifically within North Carolina.
Dues
$124
ACAPS: Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I join ACAPS?
Attend the first general body meeting and a link will be sent explaining how to pay dues. - How much are dues?
$124; These dues include the student’s national membership to both APhA and ASHP as well as the student’s state membership to NCAP. With these dues, members participate in local events hosted by our chapter as well as national initiative and services - What are my responsibilities as a member?
Attend all general body meetings and maintain active status by having 5 active and 5 passive points by the end of the semester by attending/participating in various ACAPS events throughout the semester - How much of a time commitment is ACAPS?
About 5 hours/month - What happens at ACAPS meetings?
Discuss upcoming events and pass along information from our state and national organizations. - What would I benefit from being a part of ACAPS?
Access to two national professional organizations and their respective national meetings. Access to our state professional organization and opportunity to attend the state conference.
Events/Projects
- CPP dinner
- Post-Graduate symposium
- Pharmacist Certification Symposium
- Blood Glucose and Blood Pressure Screenings
- Flu Shot Clinics
- ASHP Clinical Skills Competition
- International Student Exchange Program
- Phit Pharmacist Month
- OTC Jeopardy
- MS Day of Service
- Out of the Darkness Walk
- PY4 Residency Panel
- Presentations at the nursing homes nearby
- Candy verses Medicine at the Halloween Parade
- Immunization Coalition Meetings
- and so much more!
Blood Pressure/Blood Glucose Screenings
ACAPS has a great partnership with Calvary Episcopal Church Food Pantry in Hendersonville, NC. Once a month, 4-5 ACAPS members provide blood pressure and blood glucose checks for the community members while they wait for their turn to receive their food. The people there are always so grateful that we are able to provide these services as many of them have hypertension and diabetes, but don’t have access to the supplies they need to monitor their health.
Flu Shot Clinics in local Asheville
During flu season, ACAPS partners with different community pharmacies to provide flu shot clinics to members of our community. In the past we have done clinics for UNCA, the Asheville Pride parade, and Calvary Episcopal Church. This is a great opportunity for students to practice giving vaccines and to help them feel more confident on their immersion experiences.
Professional Development Events
ACAPs events hosted by professional development aim to enlighten students about the potential career paths within pharmacy, begin fostering connections with working professionals and to help prepare students for the next steps as graduation draws ever closer. Both the post-graduate and certification symposiums, hosted in the fall and spring semesters respectively, sit students down with pharmacists and allow for open and engaging discussions on varying topics over a casual dinner. The PY4 residency panel, which occurs shortly after match day, gives students the opportunity to meet with PY4s and ask questions about the process of applying and interviewing for residencies.
Chapter Leadership
Chapter President
Madison Wolfe Carter, Class of 2024 (madison_wolfe@unc.edu)
Vice President of Professional Development
Megan Aylmer, Class of 2024 (megan_aylmer@unc.edu)
Vice President of Patient Care
Cassie Twisdale, Class of 2024 (cassie_grebas@unc.edu)
Vice President of Membership & Finance
Autumn Ward, Class of 2024 (autumn_ward@unc.edu)
Faculty Advisor
Stephanie Kiser
