Maggie Lockwood, VP, Pharmacy Technology and Management Review, sat down with Elise Damman, director of Program Development at NCPA, to learn about the exciting programming and networking opportunities at the 2024 conference and expo, taking place Oct. 26-29 in Columbus, Ohio.
The business education program is based on pharmacist feedback and interests, designed to meet various needs, from implementing new services to improving non-pharmacist support staff and workflow. This year includes several sessions on leadership development and personal finances. Damman shares the background on the session on imposter syndrome, a common challenge when implementing new services.
“We say let's think about how do we organize these resources so that we can fulfill this dream and this goal of implementing a new service,” says Damman. “Maybe it's a staff training, maybe it's the employee handbook – let’s relook at that. We've got these specific programs, but we've also got those general things that really apply to anyone and a pharmacist can walk away and say ‘what's the biggest pain point at my pharmacy and how can I translate what I learned to address that?’”
Leveraging Peer-to-Peer Learning
A hallmark of the NCPA Annual Meeting is the emphasis on peer-to-peer learning. Shoot the Breeze sessions give attendees an opportunity to learn from successful pharmacists who share their experiences and best practices. These sessions also generate new ideas for NCPA to dive into, says Damman.
Pharmacists are also featured as speakers and panelists throughout the conference. One presentation that Damman highlighted is on imposter syndrome. A pharmacy owner, who experienced imposter syndrome herself, will speak on this from her own perspective and the impact it can have on the ability to grow a pharmacy business. She will also share what it looks like when you’re able to address it, name it and identify how to move past it to offer new services and new opportunities.
Investing in Leadership and Culture
Many of the business education sessions will cover both specific services and more general topics, such as workflow and mindset shifts. One speaker Damman says NCPA is excited about is a local HR firm’s presentation on the “Ted Lasso” effect.
”We know that both hiring and retaining staff is important,” says Damman. “The point of the conversation is really to focus in on that. Many times it’s funny to think can we really look to a Hollywood TV show to give us the insight and information we need? But there are so many lessons within that are relatable and it's funny.”
The NCPA Annual Conference and Expo provides valuable insights and resources for independent pharmacists seeking to grow their businesses and improve their practices. By focusing on growth, performance, and success, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the evolving pharmacy landscape and the opportunities available to them. PTMR
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