ISPOR Student Network Yearly Report

The ISPOR Student Network aims to provide an environment where students can share knowledge in pharmacoeconomics and health outcomes research; bridge together students interested in pharmacoeconomics and members of the pharmaceutical industry, health related organizations, and academia; and act as a resource for new students interested in pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research. The 2008-2009 Student Council, led by Caitlyn Wilke and consisting of 31 active chapters worldwide, has worked to maintain and improve the educational, social, and networking student activities provided through ISPOR over the past year, culminating in student events at the ISPOR 14th Annual International Meeting.

The Student Council has been active in providing educational resources for students throughout the year. Monthly educational teleconferences gave graduate students an opportunity to attend regular continuing education sessions provided by academia, industry, and decision makers. Based on feedback regarding student interest from the previous year, this year’s topics included common mistakes researchers make when presenting their methods, national health policy and opportunities for pharmaceutical research, patient reported outcomes, and comparative effectiveness and evidence synthesis.

Through the quarterly ISPOR Student News newsletter, we were able to disseminate information to graduate students on resources, including recently published books. ISPOR Student News also provided a place where students were able to write pieces related to their graduate experience, including numerous charity and public policy events. This year we have also attempted to highlight the accomplishments of students in their research and activities related to Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes research, including the successful programming of the Western Pharmacoeconomics Conference led by Adam Turpcu, University of Southern California’s ISPOR Student Chapter president. This year, ISPOR has generously provided funding for local chapter events which we hope to use to encourage innovative activities to promote the success and excitement about our field through support of student membership.

Student Events during the ISPOR International Conference in Orlando, Florida have provided a perfect ending to an excellent year. Our Student Council Leadership Retreat provided the opportunity for all attending incoming and outgoing Student Chapter Presidents to build strategy and share concerns as well as local event ideas for newly formed and established chapters. Many of the schools came back on Sunday night to compete in a lively Student Research Competition, resulting in the greatest turnout over the three years since the competition has been in place. After an hour and a half of competition, West Virginia University received 1st place. The excitement carried over into the Student and Faculty Advisor Icebreaker Reception held after the research competition. Our Student Forum, which provided academic, industry, clinical research organization, and decision maker perspectives on ways to succeed in a Pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research career, was also highly attended on Monday.

While the Student Network has had an outstanding year, there is much to look forward to in upcoming years. Under the leadership of Milli Reddy (Student Network Chair 2009-2010), our goal is to expand our support of international chapters, continue the focus on supporting local chapter events, and facilitate a broader student role within ISPOR as a whole. Students are the future of the field. Together we will build a stronger ISPOR and add to our continued success.

  Issues Index | 2009 Issues Index