We're #1! Two University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences students took top honors in the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacist (ASHP) Clinical Skills Competition in Las Vegas, Nev. With gold finishes in 2014 and 2016 and a silver finish in 2015, this is the third year in a row that students from CU's program have proven themselves to be among the best in the nation.
Jillian Bishop and Chelsea Mitchell, both fourth-year students, bested 130 teams of student pharmacists in the largest competition since the events inception in 1996. The annual competition features realistic patient-case scenarios that test students' ability to solve complex issues that they may encounter when they begin their clinical career. Bishop says of the experience, "I am just so happy that we were able to continue to represent CU by showing what an amazing education and support system we have from our school."
This year's event featured teams representing 131 pharmacy schools across the country. Each team prepared a written case study for evaluation in a closed-session semi-final round. Ten teams were selected as finalists and defended their treatment recommendations before a live audience and panel of judges. A group of CU students, faculty and alumni, which included the 2014 and 2015 winning teams of Ashley Huntsberry and Joselyn Benabe and Jillian Dann and Kailynn DeRonde were in attendance to see the two compete against teams from 131 schools of pharmacy throughout the nation and bring home the win. According to Associate Dean for Administration and Operations Laura Borgelt, PharmD, "Jillian and Chelsea knocked it out of the ballpark with their knowledge and application of evidence. It was so exciting to see them in their element."
Bishop and Mitchell took home prizes of $500, individual trophies, and a display trophy for their school. Each finalist, receives an iPad Mini with a one-year subscription to Lexi-Complete with AHFS. Finalists will also receive their choice of an ASHP self-assessment review book on basic and applied pharmacokinetics, pediatric pharmacotherapy, infectious disease pharmacotherapy, or medicinal chemistry.
Way to go, Chelsea and Jillian!
December 18, 2023