The CPNP Foundation is pleased to announce the funding of 20 student registration/travel grants. Each student recipient will receive a full student registration to the 2017 Annual meeting ($175 value) and $325 travel stipend. This increase is possible because of the generous support of CPNP members and the CPNP Past Presidents who have recently created the Destiny Fund within the Foundation specifically to support student registration/travel grants.
According to CPNP Immediate Past President Ray Love, “The CPNP Past Presidents are extremely impressed with the 80+ students who attended CPNP 2016 on-site. The growth in student attendance at our annual meeting and in student membership is amazing. None of could have predicted that we would grow to nearly 800 student members. The Past Presidents feel it is critical to support these individuals, their interest in our specialty and their pursuit of careers in psychiatric pharmacy. They are integral to the growth of our specialty and our future ability to serve those living with mental illness.”
Applications for these grants are now being accepted. To be eligible, a student applicant must be a full-time pharmacy student in pursuit of her/his first professional pharmacy degree, and an active student member of CPNP in good standing. Students applying for a registration/travel grant must complete an online application and provide a current curriculum vitae; a personal essay of no more than 500 words describing the applicant’s interest in CPNP and psychiatric pharmacy, including objectives for attending the meeting; and one letter of recommendation from either a clinical pharmacy practitioner or faculty member.
Recipients of the 2016 registration/travel grants have shared the impact these grants have made on their future. A few examples of their comments are shown below:
“Attending this conference only intensified my love and passion for serving those with mental illness” - Luke Smedley, Purdue University College of Pharmacy, PharmD Candidate 2017
“The advice and guidance that I received from established CPNP members was truly impactful and helped to reassure that this is the career path I want to follow.” - Joelle Hall, Ohio Northern University, PharmD Candidate 2019
“The variety of connections I was able to establish through my attendance couldn't have been possible at any other conference.” - Derek Yates, PharmD, PGY-1 Ambulatory Care Resident, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin
“The CPNP Annual meeting is an essential step in enriching your education and setting yourself up for future success.” - Lauren Woolley, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, PharmD Candidate 2017
“As students, we aspire to do great things. The CPNP foundation is a force of positive energy that attracts and lights the way for those with a similar vision.” - Nasar Ansari, ETSU Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, PharmD Candidate 2017
“The meeting offers a truly unique opportunity for students to connect with practicing pharmacists to discuss career interests, receive valuable advice, and create long-lasting connections.” - Chelsea Bast, University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, Pharm.D. Candidate 2017
“CPNP was a great opportunity to learn more about psychiatric pharmacy. Attending different talks and the research symposium gave me an opportunity to learn about the roles of psychiatric pharmacists.” - Carmen Truong, UCSD SKAGGS School of Pharmacy, PharmD Candidate 2017
Matthew Fuller, President of the CPNP Foundation, commented, “Student attendance at the CPNP Annual Meeting has been impressive. Student chapters on college campuses continue to grow. The Foundation Board firmly believes in these students, the future of CPNP. I am pleased and grateful to the Board, CPNP membership, Past Presidents, and Friends of the Foundation for helping support the student travel grants. It is our hope that these grants stimulate these students to increase their involvement in CPNP and ultimately work to improve the lives of individuals with psychiatric and neurologic disorders.”