‘I come to work for two reasons. One, to achieve excellence. The other, to achieve excellence with friends.’ – Horst Schulze
As we move into fall, the above quote from the former president/COO of Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has continued to permeate my thoughts. For many of us autumn signals a wide variety of things; preparing for Midyear, gaining our feet in our new residencies or jobs, and further involvement in student externships and precepting.
A friend (and fellow New Practitioner) and I were chatting the other day. Since we work in different states, we were discussing a collaborative project via teleconference. Somehow we began to talk about networking and suddenly found ourselves saying to each other, “when did we meet, because I feel like I have known you for a while. I almost feel like we went to pharmacy school together.” Networking is something we hear a lot about in today’s environment, but until that unexpected connection it never quite hit home.
These fast and lifelong friends are common throughout ASHP and precisely the reason the organization and the New Practitioners Forum continue to be of value. Both continue to work to make these unexpected connections easier and more frequent for members. One example is the New Practitioners Conference, Great Expectations which just wrapped its third year in New York City. What a phenomenal experience! At the Midyear Clinical Meeting there is New Practitioner specific programming available Sunday afternoon, a New Practitioners Lounge, and many more opportunities to connect with our peers. In addition to Midyear Clinical Meeting, other great programming and opportunities abound. ASHP and the New Practitioners Forum have begun to offer webinars on a variety of topics, work to involved New Practitioner members in Sections and Councils, and even as we speak New Practitioner Advisory Groups are working to tailor the content of the ASHP webpage to meet the unique needs of New Practitioner members. ASHP never ceases to amaze.
The authors of the popular business book Wikinomics claim collaboration is the key to future success for all endeavors. New Practitioners are no stranger to this concept. Beginning early in our didactic training we are encouraged to work with friends, in groups and interdisciplinary teams. As pharmacists, we seem to have a general tendency to attempt excellence. ASHP and the New Practitioners Forum are working everyday to assist you in achieving excellence, with friends.
Keep building unexpected connections!
Lindsey R. Kelley, M.S., Pharm.D.
Chair, New Practitioners Forum 2008-09
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