Airam Aliwalas, a second-year student at PCOM School of Pharmacy, recently attended the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) Conference, where she participated in the Clinical Skills Competition (CSC). The event, held March 7-8, 2025 in Philadelphia, PA, brought together pharmacy students from across the country to showcase their clinical knowledge and collaboration skills.
Aliwalas teamed up with Renee Manning, a third-year pharmacy student from the University of Georgia, for the competition. The pair had just five minutes to review a patient case, formulate counseling points, and determine an appropriate over-the-counter product recommendation for additional symptoms. The duo then had five additional minutes to counsel a mock patient.
“Although we had only just met, we were able to work together effectively and complete the challenge,” said Aliwalas. “The experience was both nerve-wracking and enlightening.”
Aliwalas described the competition as an invaluable opportunity for growth.
“Participating in the event helped me strengthen my clinical judgment and teamwork abilities,” she said. Aliwalas hopes to encourage more students to engage in similar experiential learning opportunities.
“Although we did not place in the competition, I still found it to be a rewarding experience,” she said. “I really hope we're able to increase participation in clinical skills competitions in our program.”
According to Sara Reece, PharmD, dean and chief academic officer at PCOM School of Pharmacy, events like the SNPhA conference help students develop both the soft and clinical skills that are essential for career advancement.
"Student engagement in professional conferences is vital for networking and development,” she said. “Networking creates opportunities to develop mentor-mentee relationships, and discover internships and postgraduate options.”
After pharmacy school, Aliwalas hopes to obtain a residency in ambulatory care with the end goal of becoming a clinical pharmacist. She noted that the CSC provided valuable insight into real-world practice by simulating patient interactions in medication counseling.
“In the field, we have patient charts and review their medication lists and symptoms. As pharmacists, we are able to counsel patients on new and current medications as well as recommend over-the-counter medications,” she explained. “In the moment, it felt like our clinical knowledge was being tested against time and gave me a glimpse of what my career would be like in the future.”
To learn more about the SNPhA and the Clinical Skills Competition, visit the Student National Pharmaceutical Association website.
© 2025 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine