Meet Chelsea McDonnell
Chapter: Alpha Beta Chapter (Univ. of Connecticut)
About Chelsea
I am a P3 student at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, only 20 minutes away from my hometown of Vernon, CT. I became a sister of Alpha Beta Chapter as a freshman in the fall of 2012. Since then, I’ve been lucky enough to serve my chapter as Chaplain, Community Service Committee Head, delegate at the Naples Convention, Membership Educator and now Chapter President. I’ve also just been appointed to the Women’s Health Issues Committee and am thrilled to be taking on a new role in our organization.
Why did you join LKS?
From the moment the Membership Educators started talking about LKS at the first info session in 2012, I was hooked. It wasn’t just the fact that the organization had everything I was looking for my freshman year—outreach opportunities, professional events and preparation for pharmacy school. What really drew me in was the sisterhood. The close connections were evident in the slideshow shown that first night and in the friendships among the current members. As an only child, it was a nice change to step onto campus and have 60+ new sisters. I’m now surrounded by people whom I call my family, girls I’ve mentored and who have mentored me, and lambs who have shaped me into who I am today.
Most memorable LKS experience?
I’ve had so many great experiences with LKS that choosing just one is difficult. I think it would have to be the Centennial Convention hosted by Alpha Chapter in Boston in 2013. It was my first real glimpse into what LKS is like on a national level, and the weekend was steeped in history and sisterhood. I had the opportunity to bond with twelve amazing sisters from my chapter and to meet so many more from around the country.
What are your career plans?
As of right now, I’m still up in the air about where I want to be after graduation. One of my favorite aspects of pharmacy is that there are so many things you can do with your degree. I enjoy the patient interaction in community, but inpatient pharmacy is also high on my list of possibilities. In summer 2016, I had an internship at a VA hospital in Vermont under Alpha Beta alum Marina Grgas, and I really enjoyed the experience. For now, I’m looking forward to having a variety of APPE rotations next year and am hoping to pursue a PGY-1 residency in 2018.