Anuj Kamani, current PY2 student at Temple University School of Pharmacy, has been named the winner of the local round of the APhA-ASP National Patient Counseling Competition.

An annual event supported by CVS Health, the goal of the competition is to encourage student pharmacists in their efforts toward becoming better patient educators. The competition is designed to reflect changes that are occurring in practice, to promote and encourage further professional development of the student pharmacist and to reinforce the role of the pharmacist as a health care provider and educator.

"Participating in our local school patient counseling competition was a defining moment for me—one that pushed me to refine not only my clinical knowledge, but also the way I communicate with patients," said Kamani.

After winning at the local level, Kamani had the opportunity to represent Temple University School of Pharmacy in the preliminary round at the national APhA competition, competing among 117 student pharmacists from across the nation.

"The experience was both humbling and energizing: it challenged me to stay calm under pressure, think critically in real time, and deliver clear, compassionate counseling with professionalism," he said. "I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to represent Temple on a national stage, and for the mentorship and support from faculty, classmates, and preceptors that helped me grow into a more confident, patient-centered future pharmacist."