Polish American Pharmacist Association Student Chapter (PAPA SC)
The Polish American Pharmacist Association (PAPA) is a highly respected pharmacy organization that has had a presence in Illinois Pharmacy since 1936. Our organization provides many opportunities for professional development and networking, especially at our continuing education meetings, where we learn about new medications and have the chance to catch up with our peers at Midwestern and Roosevelt Universities and pharmacist members. As a student chapter, we care about developing our students’ patient care skills by organizing community outreach events at popular venues, including Trójcowo’s (Holy Trinity’s) annual parish picnic, where we provide patients with blood pressure and blood glucose checks and counseling on healthy lifestyle modifications. Our chapter collaborates with the Polish American Association (PAA), a human services organization that serves Polish immigrants in the Chicagoland area, to deliver educational presentations to their various patient groups as well as staff. Presentation topics have included: substance use disorder, influenza, benzodiazepines, and opioid overdose among others. We also help faculty translate pamphlets on various health topics on a monthly basis that are later distributed at several senior centers in Chicago. As an organization we are always looking for ways to further give back to the community and this has led to events such as a flu clinic, donation drive for a local women’s shelter, and collaboration with the Society of Polish American Pre-Health Professionals. Finally, we love to showcase our Polish culture to our diverse student population at the College of Pharmacy in AIPhA’s annual cultural show, where we wear regional Polish costumes and perform traditional folk dances.
PAPA SC E-Board 2024-2025:
President: Jacqueline Tomecki (jtomec2@uic.edu)
Vice President: Paulina Motoszko (pmotos2@uic.edu)
Secretary: Madeline Tolwinski (mtolwi2@uic.edu)
Treasurer: Caroline Wojcik (cwojci4@uic.edu)
Events Outreach Chair: Jessica Opalka (jopalka2@uic.edu)
Historian: Zuzanna Strapoc (zstrap2@uic.edu)
Translations Chair: Karen Sojka (ksojka5@uic.edu)
Translations Chair: Angelika Tylka (atylka2@uic.edu)
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​Faculty Advisor: Dr. James Lee (jamlee1@uic.edu)
Primary Contact: uicpapas@uic.edu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UICCOPPAPA/
National Organization: http://www.polishamericanpharmacistsassociation.com/Home.php
