ASHP Creates New Section of Pharmacy Educators

The ASHP Board of Directors recently voted to create a new membership section that will further strengthen and significantly enhance ASHP’s efforts to lead in the preparation of the pharmacy workforce. The new ASHP Section of Pharmacy Educators will provide a unique and distinct membership home and leadership voice within ASHP for pharmacy school faculty, deans, and preceptors who are involved in the training of pharmacists.  

“ASHP is pleased to launch this important new Section of Pharmacy Educators,” said ASHP CEO Paul W. Abramowitz, Pharm.D., Sc.D. (Hon), FASHP. “ASHP was founded nearly 78 years ago on a foundation based on elevating the vital roles pharmacists play as patient care providers. ASHP then went on to lead in the creation of accredited post-graduate pharmacy residency training, accredited pharmacy technician training, clinical pharmacy, and in providing the largest pharmacy educational conference in the world. ASHP strongly advocated for making the entry-level doctor of pharmacy the baseline degree for all pharmacists, regardless of practice setting. Pharmacy school faculty, deans, and preceptors play an essential role in preparing pharmacists to provide the highest level of interprofessional patient care possible and have been part of ASHP’s fabric from the beginning. We are pleased to now provide them with an even greater voice and further engage them in ASHP with the new Section of Pharmacy Educators.” 

ASHP’s goal is to help its members be successful at every point of their careers, including those who are involved in training pharmacy professionals. Technological advancements and growing complexities in patient care are highly relevant to pharmacy school faculty, deans, and preceptors as leaders in the training of pharmacists. The COVID-19 pandemic further reinforces how quickly healthcare and the pharmacy profession are required to adapt to changing patient care demands, and the important role that training plays in meeting the healthcare challenges of today and tomorrow. The new ASHP Section of Pharmacy Educators is well-positioned to help lead in these and other important areas.

ASHP President-elect Tom Johnson will appoint an executive committee to lead the work of the section in August. ASHP members interested in serving on the section’s leadership should submit an application by July 24, 2020. The new section executive committee will begin meeting virtually in the fall of 2020.

For more information, visit ASHP’s website.