Emily Weyenberg, PharmD
2025-2026 BPS Executive Fellow
“Just show up.”
The simple phrase, which I learned early on in my pharmacy career, has guided me and shaped countless opportunities along the way.
Like many first-year student pharmacists, I was overwhelmed by the number of pharmacy organizations. I knew I wanted to be involved but had no idea where to begin. At first, I joined four different organizations and made it a point to attend all their general meetings. My mantra of “just show up” kept me motivated, even when my schedule felt packed. Over time, I gained a clearer sense of what each organization represented and where I wanted to dedicate my time and energy. The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) quickly rose to the top of that list because every time I showed up, I left feeling more connected to the pharmacy profession and inspired to join the community.
That fall of my second year, I was encouraged to attend APhA’s Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) Midyear Regional Meeting in Minneapolis, MN, home to my undergraduate alma mater. I saw it as a chance to reconnect with friends while exploring a new conference. Within an hour of the conference kicking off, I was hooked. By Saturday night, I was approached about running for a regional officer position. Although hesitant at first, I leaned on my mantra, “just show up” and put my name in for Midyear Regional Meeting Coordinator. I still remember heading down to the hotel lobby after a day of conference activities to write my speech, realizing in that moment that I was taking my first real step into pharmacy association involvement.
That decision opened the door to serving as Region 5 Midyear Regional Meeting Coordinator and later as Chair of the APhA-ASP Communications Standing Committee. Looking back, if I had not chosen to show up to that meeting, I might never have discovered how meaningful involvement in APhA could be. Those experiences remain some of my favorite memories from pharmacy school, both personally and professionally, and they ultimately inspired me to pursue a fellowship with APhA and the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS).
Time and time again, “just show up” has proven to be more than a phrase- it became a mindset. Showing up, whether at a conference, a committee meeting, or an event, has led to mentorship, leadership opportunities, and conversations that shaped my career. It also opened the door to my role as the 2025–2026 BPS Executive Fellow, an experience that has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.
Engaging in professional involvement, whether broad or specialty specific, as a student, new practitioner, or seasoned professional can offer connection to our growing profession. My involvement started with choosing to be present, taking that first step, and putting my trust in the idea that simply ‘showing up’ can open doors I never knew existed.
If I could give one piece of advice, it would be this: just show up. You never know where that simple act might lead.