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October 2011 OPA Extern Profile: Mara Weber

Name:  Mara Weber

E-mail:
weber.550@buckeyemail.osu.edu

Pharmacy school:
The Ohio State University

 OPA Extern Mara Weber

Undergraduate degree/institution:  Radiologic Technology (Associate at Central Ohio Technical College, Bachelor at OSU)

Hobbies: Quilting, cooking/baking and soon to be  a mommy for the first time!

How did you get interested in the profession of pharmacy? I originally was enrolled in OSU’s early acceptance program when I graduated high school in 2002. Then I became bored with some general education requirements and decided I needed to pursue an actual career to occupy myself, so I decided to pursue a career as a radiologic technician. Upon graduation, I took a job as a CT Technologist at Grant Medical Center in Columbus. I knew this was a stepping stone and I wanted to do more, but I wasn’t sure where to go in my professional life. Then one of our radiologists was helping me with a case project for my bachelor program and he invited me to attend the stroke credentialing meeting with him and become part of the stroke team. I enjoyed this process and through this process I met one of the clinical pharmacists and realized that this was what I wanted to do. I then worked as hard as I could and obtained readmission to OSU’s program and here I am just 6 years later.

Why did you choose OPA as a rotation? I have been lobbying for Polycystic Kidney Disease as the Central Ohio Chapter advocacy chair for the past 4 years. I really enjoy being involved in legislative matters and wanted to get involved with pharmacy legislative matters with my new profession.  I thought that OPA would be a great way to learn how to get involved and see the behind the scenes of how the association works and what the association does for pharmacists.  I want to get involved in lobbying as this is a huge passion of mine and I thought this rotation would help open my horizons to this possibility.

What was the most significant or surprising experience at OPA? I would say that all the experiences have been surprising and eye opening….but I would have to say the most would be the State Board Meeting I was sent to attend. I realized that the state board is there to protect the public BUT also to make sure we as pharmacists act in the best interest of our patients rather than just for a paycheck. Also the meetings I have attended while I have been on my rotation here at OPA have been wonderful and have definitely encouraged me to stay involved with OPA after this month is over. I have realized that OPA does SO MUCH MORE than I ever knew for the pharmacists of Ohio and that there are so many opportunities to become involved in. This rotation has opened my eyes to different ways to help further our profession and stay involved.

What other pharmacy associations/organizations do you belong to? OSHP, SSHP, APhA