Two University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy students, Max Swink and Mackenzie Waldron, both members of the Class of 2028, have been selected as delegates to the South Carolina Pharmacy Association House of Delegates, where they will help shape policy and advocacy priorities for the profession statewide. They shared what motivated them to seek these roles and what they hope to accomplish as delegates.

Max Swink

Why did you want to take on this leadership role with SCPhA?

My interest began after attending the NACDS RxIMPACT Day on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., this past March. Meeting with members of Congress and seeing pharmacy advocacy in action inspired me to get involved with the state association, where I can focus my efforts on the community I hope to serve. 

Is there a particular area of interest or policy in which you are most interested?

 I am especially interested in expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice. Pharmacists are trained in many diagnostic and clinical skills, yet reimbursement and billing barriers limit our ability to provide and be compensated for services that we are qualified to deliver. I am interested in advocacy that helps patients gain greater access to our expertise as future pharmacists. 

How do you hope to impact your fellow students as a delegate?

I hope to encourage greater student engagement in SCPhA and pharmacy advocacy. As my peers and I prepare to enter the profession in the next few years, it will become our responsibility to serve and advocate for pharmacy, so there is no better time to start than now. 

How do you think this will impact your future in the pharmacy profession?

I believe this experience will strengthen my knowledge of health policy and regulatory affairs, which are sometimes less emphasized in a curriculum primarily focused on clinical training. Developing this perspective will help me become a more well-rounded pharmacist and a stronger advocate for both patients and the profession. 

Mackenzie Waldron

Why did you want to take on this leadership role with SCPhA?

I saw it as an opportunity to become more involved in the profession beyond the classroom and to have a voice in issues that affect pharmacists and student pharmacists. I also wanted to challenge myself to grow as a leader, advocate for my peers, and better understand how professional organizations help shape the future of pharmacy.

What do you hope to learn from being involved with the House of Delegates?

I hope to better understand how professional organizations operate and how policies and decisions are developed within the profession. I also hope to learn more about effective advocacy and how pharmacists can use their voices to create meaningful changes in healthcare and pharmacy practice.

How do you hope to impact your fellow students as a delegate?

I hope to serve as a connection by keeping students informed about opportunities, initiatives, and issues affecting the profession. I also hope to encourage other students to become involved and show them that their voices and perspectives are valuable in shaping the future of pharmacy.

How do you think this will impact your future in the pharmacy profession?

This experience will help me become a more confident leader, advocate, and pharmacist. Being involved in the House of Delegates will give me firsthand experience with professional advocacy and policymaking, which I hope to carry with me throughout my career. Most importantly, I think it will reinforce the importance of being an engaged member of the profession rather than simply practicing within it.