STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
 

Student Council 

The Student Council is the official representative body of the students enrolled in the School of Pharmacy. It is composed of the presidents of each professional year class and nine representatives elected from the student body.  For more information, please contact Prof. Myriam L. González (mlgonzalez@rcm.upr.edu) at (787) 758-2525, ext. 5407. 

Student Professional Associations 

American Pharmacists Association Academy of Students of Pharmacy

The American Pharmacists Association's (APhA) Academy of Students of Pharmacy (ASP), represents student members in chapters in every school and college of pharmacy throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to promote the interests of pharmacy students and the profession of pharmacy, as well as provide them services and information concerning pertinent issues faced by APhA and the profession. Membership in the local chapter is on a voluntary basis and open to all pharmacy students. 

As members of APhA-ASP, students receive a monthly journal for pharmacists, Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, a quarterly student journal, Pharmacy Student, discounts on professional books and educational materials, discounts on insurance coverage, and financial services programs. They also have the opportunity to participate in professional and policy-making activities, such as the annual Patient Counseling Competition, regional meetings, and national conventions. For additional information, please contact Dr. Miriam Varela (mvarela@rcm.upr.edu) at (787) 758-2525, ext. 5324.
  

University of Puerto Rico, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Student Chapter

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) has student chapters in every school and college of pharmacy throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.  The student chapter was founded in 2002 and is open to all students in good standing that are interested in pharmacy practice in health systems.  The Student Society has, among others, the following goals: to encourage all students to embrace the mission of pharmacy to help make the best use of medications and provide patient care, increase student awareness of current issues facing the pharmacy profession, make information available to those students who are interested in residency and fellowship training, provide opportunities to develop leadership capabilities within the school and profession, increase awareness of careers in health systems and represent the UPR School of Pharmacy in the ASHP Midyear National Clinical Skills Competition and other national activities. 

As members of the UPR-ASHP chapter, students are automatically enrolled in the Pharmacy Student Forum.  Students receive a by-monthly journal for pharmacist, the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacists (AJHP), weekly electronic NewsLinks, online career service, an extensive line of world-class publications and software products at discount prices, financial service programs, discounts for the Annual Meeting, the Midyear Clinical Meeting and other educational activities sponsored by the society.  Through the custom view at www.ashp.org students can learn more about careers, residency programs, internships and rotations in hospital and health-system pharmacy, networking opportunities, Forum activities and more.  For more information, please contact Dr. Mirza D. Martínez (mdmartinez@rcm.upr.edu) at 787-758-2525, ext. 5302.
 

American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists Student Chapter

The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) strives to serve the needs and interests of students studying in the pharmaceutical sciences.  Currently, AAPS supports Student Chapters at School of Pharmacy across the United States, in Puerto Rico, Canada, Singapore, Italy, Brazil and Mexico. 

Membership in an AAPS Student Chapter, which generally resides in a College of Pharmacy, is open to students and postdoctoral fellows from a wide array of academic degrees and disciplines, and students outside of schools of pharmacy. 

AAPS Student Chapters enable students pursuing graduate degrees in the pharmaceutical and related sciences to: 

• Increase their awareness of career opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, academia, and government;

• Gain access to educational programs on the various aspects of drug development;

• Have opportunities for professional advancement and leadership development; and

• Facilitate participation in AAPS outreach activities at the local, regional, national, and international levels.

To support these activities and functions, AAPS provides a stipend to the Student Chapter based on the number of members.  The funds can be used for any chapter-related activities, including journal clubs, scientific seminars, speaking engagements, social events, and recruitment activities.  In addition, the Student/Postdoc Outreach and Development (SPOD) Committee has a total of $50,000 USD per year to support student-initiated programs such as PGSRM, GRASP, GPEN, and others. 

A brief presentation on AAPS student chapters and benefits is available at mediaserver.aapspharmaceutica.com/outreach/aaps.swf. 

For more information, please contact Dr. Evone Ghaly (eghaly@rcm.upr.edu) at (787) 758- 2525 ext. 5417. 

Professional Fraternal Organizations 

Phi Lambda Sigma

The Beta Theta Chapter of the national pharmacy leadership society Phi Lambda Sigma was installed at the School of Pharmacy in 1994. The society promotes the development of leadership qualities among pharmacy students. Through peer recognition, it fosters or enhances self-confidence among its members and promotes greater effort toward the advancement of pharmacy. Prospective members are nominated on the basis of their dedication, service, and leadership in the advancement of the profession. The local chapter collaborates with the school in planning an annual leadership workshop for pharmacy students. The society has its annual convention during the American Pharmaceutical Association Annual Meeting. For additional information, please contact Dr. Jennifer Guzmán (jrguzman@rcm.upr.edu) at (787) 758-2525, ext. 5314. 

Rho Chi Society

The Gamma Eta Chapter of the Rho Chi Society was established at the School of Pharmacy in 1986. Membership represents an honor bestowed on junior or senior pharmacy students. The attainment of membership in an honor society is the highest achievement of social approbation by a select few and also encourages other to attain for themselves such recognition and approbation.  The organization promotes scholarship, friendship, and accomplishments in the Pharmacy profession.  The honor society performs two functions:  (1) it recognizes and rewards outstanding scholarly attainment, and (2) it thereby encourages and simulates outstanding scholarship.  The Rho Chi Society meets annually in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the American Pharmacists Association.  For additional information, please contact Dr. Sacha Rivera Sárate (sacrivera@rcm.upr.edu) at (787) 758-2525 ext. 5308.
 

OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
 

Catholic Student Association

The Catholic Student Association promotes among students and other members of the academic community the spiritual and intelectual formation of the Catholic faith. The association sponsors a weekly mass in the Medical Sciences Campus. For additional information, please contact Dorlizca Irizarry, R.Ph. at (787) 758-2525, ext. 1012. 

Christian Interdenominational Fraternity

This association serves as a spiritual and emotional support for those in need. It promotes a spiritual growth and a harmonious environment among the student body. For additional information, please contact Dr. Elsa Pedro (epedro@rcm.upr.edu) at (787) 758-2525, ext. 5307. 

Asociación de Estudiantes Orientadores