Good vibes and dance moves took centre stage at the NAPSA Congress Ball, with top members awarded for their dedication and enthusiasm
Early last week pharmacy students descended upon Sydney for NAPSA Congress 2018, and the event finally came to a close with a ball held in Darling Harbour on Sunday night.
After a week of learning and networking, the students celebrated a productive week on the dance floor – but not without first announcing the bright stars among their peers.
NAPSA announced Gabrielle Wilson from La Trobe University in Bendigo, Victoria as the Wild Card entry to the PSA’s Pharmacy Student of the Year (PSOTY) Competition for 2018.
PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson presented the award to Ms Wilson on Sunday night.
“I’m extremely grateful, excited and nervous all at the same time!” Ms Wilson told AJP upon being chosen as the Wild Card finalist.
“I hope to make the most of the opportunity and use it to better myself as a future pharmacist.
“It’s inspiring to see so many passionate and dedicated people trying to be the best they can be!”
Dr Jackson addressed delegates, calling on students to harness their youthful “energy” for the pharmacy profession, while NAPSA president Sandra Minas inspired her peers with a speech on the bright future for pharmacy students.
It was also announced that delegates raised over $10,000 for their chosen Congress Charity, the White Cloud Foundation, a health not-for-profit organisation that provides early intervention services for Australians with or at risk of developing depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or perinatal depression.
The University of Canberra branch of NAPSA (CaSPA) won the Young Blood award for this year’s Health Students Blood Challenge, while the winner of the challenge with the highest number of overall blood donations was the Tasmanian Association of Pharmacy Students (TAPS).
University of Canberra pharmacy student and team member of the Wanni White Coats, John Culhane (pictured below, left) was chosen for the Spirit of Congress Award.
And CaSPA scored another award for best branch (Les Chashen Team Spirit Award).
A very proud #WanniWhiteCoat Mum! @JohnCulhane_ for Congress Spirit Award and @NAPSA_ProfDev and @CaSPA_UC for best branch at #napsacongress #proud #leadership #nextgen pic.twitter.com/dync0la6xx
— Elise Apolloni (@EliseApolloni) January 28, 2018
What an amazing way to end an incredible week! Cheers to all the wonderful friends we’ve made this past week! 😄😄 #teamUTS #napsacongress pic.twitter.com/BiJgjZ5KSd
— UTSPA (@U_T_S_P_A) January 28, 2018
Few of the RAPS fam enjoying the last day of Congress 🙌🏽🙌🏽#napsacongress pic.twitter.com/h6edye2rbI
— RAPS (@RAPS_Rx) January 28, 2018
BAPS loving life! PCD is beginning! #napsacongress pic.twitter.com/wleqJSm2an
— BAPS_Rx (@BAPS_Rx) January 28, 2018
QUTSPA will be having a lit night #napsacongress2018 #napsacongress pic.twitter.com/kC62WXCqPU
— QUTSPA (@QUTSPA) January 28, 2018
And a surprise flash dance also happened, with students following in the footsteps of the PSA and its conference tradition from the past few years (video courtesy of Dr Jackson):
Flash mob at #napsacongress continuing the @PSA_National tradition @NAPSA_President @NAPSA_Rx @alison_roberts1 pic.twitter.com/n9R9ev215F
— Shane Jackson (@ShaneJacks) January 28, 2018
