Note: this article first appeared in the Fall 2014 issue of PittPharmacy, and is reprinted here with some additional content.
A team of PittPharmacy students won the Achieving Independence Competition for the third consecutive year during the annual conference of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association in September 2014. Team members, all members of the Class of 2016, were Meera Vachhani, Neil Turco, Shea Liput, and Aaron Devanathan. Their faculty advisor was Karen Steinmetz Pater, PharmD, and their coach was independent pharmacy owner David Cippel, RPh. The Achieving Independence Competition complements the National Community Pharmacists Association National Student Business Plan Competition and is meant to spark the entrepreneurial spirit and serve as a stepping stone to competing on a larger scale.
The judges made their decision based on the following criteria: innovative concepts and creativity, feasibility, and format. The University of Pittsburgh team impressed the judges with its business plan for a fictional “Medstar Pharmacy.” Their team’s concept included purchasing a preexisting pharmacy that is co-located with an eat-in restaurant. The judges were impressed with the financial plan, the simple design, and feasibility of implementation. The judges also responded favorably to the team’s vision for a pharmacy focused on health and wellness, incorporating classes in fitness and nutrition, and the proposed collaboration with the restaurant to offer healthy meal options to facilitate patient adherence to an overall healthy lifestyle.
Preparing to compete in regional and national professional competitions is among the numerous ways PittPharmacy students gain experience targeted to their own interests and strengths. These students personalized their education with knowledge and skills in entrepreneurism and business plan development.
