Student Organizations
This site is proudly presented by the student organizations at the University of Utah College of Pharmacy. We invite you to explore information about our various student organizations and meet our dedicated student leaders.
The University of Utah College of Pharmacy is recognized for having one of the smallest class sizes in the nation, providing students with a more personalized, close-knit educational experience. This environment fosters strong connections with faculty, abundant leadership opportunities, and meaningful peer collaboration.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
The Utah Student Pharmacist Alliance (USPA) serves as the umbrella organization for all of our college’s pharmacy national organizations. This organization aims to foster the professional development of student pharmacists, enhance learning of pharmaceutical sciences, and promote career development and opportunity awareness.
The objectives of USPA are:
- To promote the profession of pharmacy and the role of pharmacists in the American health care system.
- To provide information to students about career options in all areas of pharmacy including: hospital and health systems; chain store; community and independent; government and armed services; pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution; managed care; and academic and educational.
- To encourage student involvement in national and state professional pharmacy organizations and to encourage students to remain involved in these organizations after graduation.
- To sponsor and organize educational and service programs to strengthen students’ clinical knowledge and professional, business, and leadership abilities.
- To educate the public about health care issues and the pharmacist’s role in providing services to manage and control these issues.
- To promote pharmaceutical research and the acquisition and dissemination of new pharmacy-based knowledge.
Student Leaders
- President: Stockton Welch
- President-Elect: Jaycie Beckstrom
- Treasurer: Jackson Johnson
- Treasurer-Elect: Caleb Nokes
- Secretary: Katie Gilmore
- Gala Chair: Sarah King
- Gala Chair-Elect: Jade Updike
- Gala Committee Chairs: Taylor Roylance, Max Fu, Annie Bridges, Suyeon Lee
The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) exposes students to a unique area of pharmacy called managed care, which deals with developing cost-effective outcomes to serve an entire population. Managed care pharmacists help determine what medications should be covered by health insurance to ensure people are receiving the most appropriate medications.
Our college’s chapter is focused on using managed care principles to improve health care for all. Student members can get involved in the Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee Local Competition. Our chapter's best P&T team is also eligible to compete in the national competition. Membership also includes a subscription to the Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy (JMCP) and the Daily Dose newsletter.
Student Leaders
- President: Alyssa Mak
- President-Elect: Cody Madsen
- Treasurer: James Gustat
- Secretary: Katie Compagni
- Historian: Java Kalati
- Pharma Industry Representative: Kayla Holland
The mission of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) is to be the collective voice of student pharmacists, to provide opportunities for professional growth, to improve patient care, and to advance the future of pharmacy.
APhA-ASP was the first established chapter at our college and has a long history of providing our students with great opportunities to develop professionally and explore the pharmacy world. Student members from our local chapter have found leadership opportunities such as the Chapter VII Regional Delegate, Delegate at Large, Chapter Delegate, and National Patient Counseling Competition winner. Each year we hold a patient counseling competition and the student who wins our local competition represents our college at the national patient counseling competition.
Our chapter also proudly houses the National Community Pharmacy Association (NCPA) special interest group - offering students expanded opportunities in community pharmacy.
Student Leaders
- President: Madi Young
- President-Elect: Catey Jones
- IPSF VP: Blake Johansen
- IPSF VP-Elect: Ingrid Vanderzon
- IPSF PReP Clinic Coordinators: Alyssa Reece and Taylor Roylance
- Operation Immunizations Chair: Sarah Breese
- Operation Diabetes Co-Chairs: Joslyn Nielsen and Roxanne Noun
- Operation Heart Chair: Zara Nurmukhamedova
- Finance VP: Max Fu
- Operation Substance Use Disorder Chair: Kennon Buss
- Women's Health Campaign Chair: Java Kalati
- Patient Care VP: Katie Gilmore
- Policy VP: Emily Duerson
- Membership VP: Jade Updike
- NCPA Co-Chair-Elects: Avery Takahashi and Justyce Juergens
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists – Student Society of Health-System Pharmacy (ASHP-SSHP) is the organization for students with an interest in hospital and other health-systems work settings. If you want to work as a clinical pharmacist, this is the place for you! ASHP is the only national organization for hospital and health-system pharmacists. As a 35,000-member national professional association representing pharmacists who practice in settings of hospital, long-term care facilities, home care, and many other health-system settings, ASHP offers students the opportunity to get involved in advocacy, continuing education, drug information, national meetings and conferences, professional policies and practice standards, publishing opportunities, as well as a multitude of residency options throughout their education and continuing into their professional careers.
Our chapter has an impressive history of providing our students with incredible opportunities to develop professionally and explore the large world of health-system pharmacy careers. Through ASHP-SSHP, students have the opportunity to get involved with advocacy in patient care (including ASHP policy making), professional development projects, clinical skills competitions, and national meetings. The mission of ASHP is to advance and support the professional practice of pharmacists in hospitals and health systems and serve as their collective voice on issues related to medication use and public health. Here at the U of U, we focus on achieving this mission with 2 main yearly activities: the clinical skills competition and the residency showcase midyear meeting.
Our chapter also proudly houses two special interest groups: UOnc, focused on oncology pharmacy, and UPeds, focused on pediatric pharmacy—both offering students additional opportunities to explore specialized areas of practice.
Student Leaders
- •President: Alyssa Reece
- • President-Elect: Katie Anderton
- • Secretary: Hannah Lee
- • Treasurer: Mitch Crosgrove
- • UPeds Chair: Anikka Deitz
- • UPeds Chair-Elect: Austin Bender
- •UOnc Chair: Cody Madsen
- • UOnc Chair-Elect: Hannah Chester
- • Public Relations: Collin Vijenandan
- • APP Chair: Taylor Roylance
The American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) is a professional and scientific society that provides leadership, education, advocacy, and resources enabling clinical pharmacists to achieve excellence in practice, research, and education. Our chapter’s main focuses include clinical pharmacy, networking, professional development, and research. We provide various opportunities and events throughout the year to maintain these core values.
Student Leaders
- President: Corden Heaps
- President Elect: Carter Paxton
- Secretary: Katie Phillips
- Treasurer: Savanna Ziegler
- National Competition Coordinator: Cassie Steele
- Events Coordinator: Ingrid Vanderzon
- Class Liaisons: Jackson Anderson, Tanner Roylance, Incoming P1 TBD
The mission of ISPOR is to advance the science and practice of health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) and to promote the use of this research to inform healthcare decisions at all levels. Our chapter provides students with opportunities to develop skills in HEOR, network with professionals and researchers in the field, and contribute to projects that address real-world healthcare challenges. The ISPOR Student Chapter at the University of Utah connects pharmacy, public health, and related graduate students with local and international HEOR leaders through webinars, workshops, and conference participation. Our members regularly present research at ISPOR annual meetings, participate in student research competitions, and collaborate on interdisciplinary projects. We also host professional development events, journal clubs, and networking sessions to prepare students for careers in academia, industry, and government.
Student Leaders
- President: Kenechukwu Ben-Umeh
- Vice President: Emeka Elvis Duru
- Secretary: Kwame Kissi-Twum
- Joint Secretary: Abdelrahman Younis
- Treasurer: Xi Liang
STUDENT-LED CLINICS
Maliheh Student-Run Free Clinic
The Maliheh Free Clinic seeks to improve the quality of life in the Greater Salt Lake Area by providing free medical services for uninsured and low-income individuals and families to help reverse the cycle of poverty and suffering created by poor health.
The Maliheh Free Clinic offers a great learning environment for students as they are able to work within an interprofessional team (Pharm, PA, NP, Med) to work up patients presenting for their first clinic visit. As medication experts, the pharmacy student volunteers are responsible for obtaining an accurate home medication list, immunization history, and allergy history. Students are also given the opportunity to provide immunizations to those patients who consent. After an initial visit with the patient, the students share their impression and formulate a plan of action with the clinic preceptors, which is then shared with the patient as they establish care with the clinic.
Student Leaders
- Java Kalati
- Hannah Lee
- James Gustat
- Emily Duerson
HONOR SOCIETIES
Phi Lambda Sigma
Phi Lambda Sigma promotes the development of leadership qualities, especially among pharmacy students. By peer recognition, the Society encourages participation in all pharmacy activities. Since membership crosses fraternal and organizational lines, the Society does not compete with other pharmacy organizations.
Eligibility Requirements: Members are selected by peer recognition. No greater honor can be bestowed upon an individual than to be recognized as a leader by one's peers. Such recognition instills and enhances self-confidence, encourages the less active student to a more active role and promotes greater effort toward the advancement of pharmacy.
Student Leaders
- President: Joe Simpson
Rho Chi
Rho Chi is the national pharmacy honor society. Rho Chi Society members embody academic excellence and service to the community. Membership is life-long and alumni exemplify the values of Rho Chi throughout the duration of their careers.
Eligibility Requirements: Membership to the Rho Chi Beta Epsilon Chapter is by invitation only. Traditionally, membership is offered to those students who comprise the top 20% of each class.
Student Leaders
- President: Cheyenne Warren
- Historian: Quinn Lifschitz
- President-Elect: TBD
- Treasurer: TBD
PROFESSIONAL FRATERNITIES
Kappa Psi
The Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity is a professional fraternity focused on advancing the profession and serving the community. Kappa Psi is the oldest pharmacy fraternity and was founded in 1879. The Epsilon Chi chapter at the University of Utah was established in October 2012. Kappa Psi is a co-ed fraternity, and membership is limited to those who elect to pledge and meet the requirements of the pledge process.
Student Leaders
- Regent: Omar Martinez
- Vice Regent: Manny Meraz
- Treasurer: Alyssa Mak
- Secretary: Mitch Cosgrove
- Chaplain: Gabe Claybaugh
- Historian: James Gustat
- Sergeant at Arms: McKell Ferry
- Pledge Leads: Omar Martinez and Gabe Claybaugh
Phi Delta Chi
Phi Delta Chi is a professional fraternity whose mission is to provide a lifelong home for pharmacy professionals inspiring Brotherhood, Leadership, Service, and Scholarship. Phi Delta Chi is a co-ed fraternity, and membership is limited to those who elect to pledge and meet the requirements of the pledge process.
Student Leaders
- Worthy Chief Counselor: Kennon Buss
- Worthy Vice Counselor: Alex Chee
- Worthy Keeper of Finance: Max Fu
- Worthy Keeper of Records and Seals: Hannah Lee
- Worthy Alumni Liaison: Abby Schwartz
- Worthy Correspondent: Sarah King
- Worthy Prelate: OPEN for new P1 recruitment
- Worthy Master-at-Arms: OPEN for new P1 recruitment
- Worthy Inner Guard: Kendall Derber