Phi Delta Chi

Visiting ΦΔΧ Brothers

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As I prepare to run for Grand Vice President for Communications, I plan to write a series of blog posts that summarize some of my personal experiences, my involvement in the Fraternity and the profession, and my vision for the future of Phi Delta Chi. I hope that you find this series informative and helpful in learning more about me as a Brother. Should any questions arise as you read these posts, please don’t hesitate to contact me! Alterum Alterius Auxilio Eget!

Perhaps one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve encountered as a Brother of Phi Delta Chi has been the opportunity to travel across the country and meet Brothers from other Chapters. Since I was initiated in the fall of 2011, I have had the blessing of being able to visit eight Chapters across the country. Most have been within the Mid-Atlantic Region (simply due to travel times). Many have been just weekend trips. Others have been for Grand Council or LDS. There is, however, one recurring theme among all these visits:  I had an amazing time meeting and networking with my Brothers. Here are a few highlights from my excursions.

Gamma Delta Chapter • Johnson City, TN • March 2012

My trip to Gamma Delta for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference (MARC) was my first trip to meet Brothers after I was initiated. Having just been elected WCC prior to the trip, I was prepared to learn as much as I could during the MARC weekend. It was in Johnson City that I first met Brothers from other Chapters, and it’s those same Brothers are some of my closest friends.

It was at MARC that I first experienced the leader development opportunities available to me as a Brother. I learned how to be a more effective leader, how to run the Chapter more efficiently, and – perhaps most importantly – what our motto, AAAE, really means.

I enjoyed exchanging ideas with Brothers from other Chapters, especially since our Chapter was so young at the time (chartered for only a year). Some of the changes that were implemented after this MARC are still in effect today.

Alpha Chapter • Ann Arbor, MI • November 2014

Albert Benjamin Prescott GraveI had the opportunity to visit the birthplace of our Fraternity at the University of Michigan for Founders’ Day 2014. Our weekend was jam packed with activities planned by the Alpha Chapter. My girlfriend (a Gamma Omicron Brother also) and I stayed with the Worthy Alumni Liaison who was overwhelmingly hospitable to us during our short weekend stay.

Perhaps the most humbling experience of the weekend was taking a historic walk to visit the address where the first Phi Delta Chi meeting was held, Albert Prescott’s old residence, and the grave site of our beloved Brother Prescott. The Alpha pledges did a fantastic job of cleaning the area surrounding Prescott’s burial plot, and the Chapter held a solemn ceremony at the cemetery. This allowed me to reflect on the sacrifices and hard work of the Brothers who have come before me. I was overcome with emotion as we laid red carnations on Prescott’s grave in remembrance of the former Dean of the College of Pharmacy and the first honorary Brother of our Fraternity.

Since this was also UM’s homecoming weekend, we made sure to spend some time watching the Michigan football game at a Brother’s home and partaking in homecoming festivities in Ann Arbor.

I encourage all of my Brothers to pledge to visit Ann Arbor at least once, to pay your respects to Dean Prescott at the cemetery (right off campus), and to experience all that Ann Arbor has to offer.

Visiting Brothers

Travel PaddleFor years, Brothers have said that some of the most valuable and memorable experiences of their life as a Brother have been when they meet Brothers while visiting other Chapters. If you haven’t visited any Chapters yet, I strongly urge you to consider planning a trip to a Chapter. It doesn’t have to be across the country – it can be 10 minutes away or 10 states away – but I guarantee your experience will be second to none. I’ve decided to make a paddle with the names of the Chapters I’ve visited so far (it needs some updating) to keep track of my journey. Where will I go next? All I need is a free weekend, a couch to sleep on, and some Brothers to bond with! Have you traveled to another Phi Delta Chi Chapter? Share your stories in the comments below!

Special Phi Delta Chi Announcement!

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Brothers,

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I think we can all agree that our Fraternity has provided each of us numerous opportunities that have helped shape us in to the pharmacists and student pharmacists we are today. Whether Phi Delta Chi helped you find a friend, a colleague, a preceptor, a boss, or even a spouse, I’m sure it’s unanimous that our lives have been enriched in a positive way because of our Fraternity. I often reflect on how I can give back to Phi Delta Chi, despite the fact that I may never fully repay the debts it has provided me.

After much thought and prayer, I have decided to run for Grand Vice President for Communications. The primary responsibility of this office, as I’m sure you are aware, is to edit and oversee the publication of The Communicator and e-Communicator. It would be an honor to help keep our Brothers across the country connected through these two publications.

I ask you to review my experience, qualifications, and candidate statement when it becomes available, and contact me directly with any questions you may have. I appreciate your support, and look forward to seeing you all at the 70th Grand Council in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Thanks for reading this post!

Alterum Alterius Auxilio Eget,

Eric

Crest-Color-Shaded

2015: A prospective look.

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Everyone makes New Year resolutions, but we all know they seldom make it past Valentine’s Day (if we’re lucky). I’ve been guilty of this for at least the past few years now. Perhaps if I document my goals for this year, I will (theoretically) be forced to hold myself accountable and make sure at least a few of them get done (and maybe you can help me reach them). In 2015, I hope to…

(In no particular order)

  1. Live healthier. This means watching my portion sizes, hitting the gym more, and making healthier choices. I’ll park further away when I go shopping, I’ll choose water over soda, and I’ll limit myself when I drink beer. I’ll choose salad over soup, and skip dessert, even if it looks amazing. This is going to be tough for me, so I will appreciate any help I can get.
  2. Advance my career. The role of the pharmacist is constantly changing, and I’m going to have to adapt to that. Some more specific goals in this category are:
    1. Become a Certified Asthma Educator (AE-C).
    2. Complete the American Pharmacists Association Pharmacy-Based Travel Health Services Advanced Competency Training Program. (I’m registered to do this at APhA2015 in San Diego in March).
    3. Give a Continuing Education (CE) program at a local, state, or national pharmacy meeting.
  3. Travel. I love traveling, and I love traveling even more with the people I love. I already have some ideas, some trips planned, and some tickets already bought. Here’s what my year may look like:
    1. Philadelphia in February.
    2. San Diego in March.
    3. Albuquerque in August?
  4. Serve my Fraternity. I’ve gotten so much from Phi Delta Chi, so it’s time I give back. (Brothers, if you’re reading this, here’s where AAAE comes in) My goals for 2015 include:
    1. Run for a National Office.
    2. Charter an Alumni Chapter.

If you haven’t had time (or haven’t made time) to think about how you’re going to make the most of 2015, I would challenge you to do so. Best of luck, and here’s to a great year!

Blessed.

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Hello everyone! I’ve tried starting a blog once or twice in the past, but it always seems to fizzle out. Now that I don’t have school consuming my time, I think I’ll finally be able to dedicate some time to writing quality posts that you’ll hopefully want to read and will start looking forward to.

As the year comes to a close, it gives me a chance to look back on what’s happened in the past year. I will definitely say that 2014 has topped the list, and I’m incredibly blessed to be able to say so. I’m also very lucky to have my lovely girlfriend Melissa as a companion on my journey!

In April, I was fortunate to attend APhA2014, the annual meeting of the American Pharmacists Association in Orlando, Florida. This would mark my last APhA meeting as a student pharmacist. In addition to meeting pharmacists and student pharmacists from across the country and attending the scheduled programming, I was able to visit Epcot!

The month of May brought one of the proudest moments in my life so far. After many (many, many) years in college, I finally earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. After passing the NAPLEX and Maryland Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE), I became a registered pharmacist in the State of Maryland. I began a job at an independent pharmacy on the Eastern Shore of Maryland as a clinical pharmacist. Helping patients on a daily basis gives my life purpose.

I was also invited to attend the Pharmacy Leadership and Education Institute (PLEI) Leader Development Seminar (LDS) in Tampa, Florida as a facilitator. It was my first LDS, and I was fortunate enough to be able to help some of my Phi Delta Chi Brothers realize and capitalize upon their leadership potential. We truly are Leaders in Pharmacy!

The summer came to a close, and I welcomed fall by attending my first baseball game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. (I actually saw three O’s games there this year, including two ALCS games — all thanks to friends!) I got to spend my birthday in Baltimore with Melissa and some of my favorite Brothers.

I also planned a weekend away with Melissa for her birthday while fulfilling a dream of mine:  spending Phi Delta Chi Founders’ Day at Alpha Chapter at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. It was humbling to visit the old stomping grounds where our Founding Fathers met and founded our Fraternity back in 1883. We got to visit the gravesite of Albert Benjamin Prescott, where we paid our respects during a very emotional ceremony with the Alpha Brothers and their pledges.

This Christmas was amazing as always, and I’m blessed to have so many generous people in my life. But all presents aside, the moments I enjoyed the most were the ones spent with my family, Melissa, and my friends. Those are the real gifts, and they’re priceless.

Well, there you have it. My year in less than 400 words. Even though 2014 proved to be a roller coaster of emotions at times, it’s been my family and friends who have helped me through it, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. If you’ve read this far, thank you. Stay tuned for future updates!