ASHP Midyear Experience with PharmD Student Sarah Alramadhani
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting is one of the largest national conferences for pharmacy professionals and students, bringing together pharmacists, residents, and healthcare leaders from across the country. The conference offers opportunities for professional development, residency exploration, networking, and exposure to the many roles pharmacists play within healthcare systems. For student pharmacists, ASHP Midyear serves as a fundamental space to learn about post-graduate training, connect with mentors, and gain insight into real-world pharmacy practice beyond the classroom.
While many College of Pharmacy students attended the conference this year, it was Sarah Alramadhani, PharmD Candidate, class of 2026, who shared how valuable this was in strengthening her understanding of the pharmacy profession and her future career goals. Alramadhani pursued a pharmacy degree stemming from an interest in science and her desire to help patients. Particularly, through the way pharmacists use medications to improve patient outcomes while working closely with healthcare teams. That motivation carried into her decision to attend ASHP Midyear, where she hoped to learn more about health-system pharmacy and residency programs.
"I attended ASHP Midyear to make professional connections and gain a deeper understanding of residency programs. Even though I did not have a project to present, I took the opportunity to speak directly with current residents, learning about their experiences to better clarify my own interests and determine if pursuing a residency was the right path," said Alramadhani. "I also reviewed the projects residents had completed, which provided insight into the expectations and opportunities I might encounter during a residency. Overall, the conference was an invaluable experience for networking, learning, and preparing for the next steps in my pharmacy career."
One of the most impactful aspects of the conference was the opportunity to network with pharmacists, residents, and fellow students from a wide range of practice settings. These conversations provided Alramadhani with insight into different career paths and real-world experiences, making the profession feel more tangible and exciting. She took time to ask residents what residency programs typically look for in applicants and learned that communication skills, professionalism, and a strong willingness to learn are highly valued qualities. While this reinforced what she already expected about residency training, hearing it directly from residents emphasized the importance of personal and professional growth in post-graduate pharmacy education.
Alramadhani also benefited from reviewing residency projects and speaking with current residents about their experiences. These discussions gave a clearer picture of residency expectations and the opportunities available during training, while also reinforcing the importance of adaptability and lifelong learning in pharmacy practice. In addition, the conference highlighted various careers pharmacists can pursue beyond direct patient care, including leadership, research, education, and healthcare systems improvement. This broader exposure helped her better appreciate the wide range of possibilities within the profession and made her excited for her future.
The conference also boosted her confidence as a future healthcare professional. Being surrounded by motivated peers and accomplished pharmacists reassured her that she is on the right path. Alramadhani plans to apply what she learned by continuing to strengthen her clinical knowledge and exploring areas of pharmacy she feels most passionate about, particularly as she prepares for residency applications and interviews.
For students attending ASHP Midyear or similar conferences for the first time, Alramadhani emphasizes the importance of preparation and stepping outside one’s comfort zone. She encourages students to come with thoughtful questions and not be afraid to start conversations, noting that while networking can feel uncomfortable at first, it is both rewarding and incredibly valuable.