Heath Honored With ASHP's 2024 Zellmer Lecture Award

Former Chief Pharmacist for U.S. Army Championed Pharmacists Advanced Practice Roles

Col. William Michael Heath, MBA, a dedicated practitioner and leader in federal pharmacy, will present the 2024 William A. Zellmer Lecture on Sept 17, during ASHP's Policy Week activities. The lecture and award ceremony will occur during ASHP's annual Policy Week activities, where nearly 100 ASHP member leaders recommend professional policies focused on improving patient care and advancing pharmacy practice.

ASHP established the William A. Zellmer Lecture in 2010 in collaboration with the ASHP Foundation. The award honors Zellmer’s contributions to policy development, advocacy, planning, and communications during his career with ASHP. The lecture is given by a distinguished individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing healthcare-related public policy that has improved the safety and effectiveness of medication use through the engagement of pharmacists.

A commissioned Army officer for more than 30 years, Heath’s career culminated in the influential position of former chief pharmacist for the Army with dual responsibilities as primary pharmacy consultant to the Army Surgeon General.

Heath entered active duty in 1975. His duty assignments included sites in Belgium, Georgia, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Virginia. He was deployed with the U.S. Army 47th Field Hospital during Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm.

He served as chair of the Department of Defense Pharmacy Board of Directors and was a member of the joint Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense Federal Pharmacy Executive Steering Committee.

Heath has been a valued partner on numerous ASHP activities throughout his career and retirement. He served for many years as the U.S. Army’s representative to the ASHP House of Delegates. He was the program manager and planner for the annual Federal Forum at the Midyear Clinical Meeting for more than a decade. In 2020, ASHP renamed the annual program to honor his tremendous leadership and dedication.

He has been awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, and the United States Army Medical Department Order of Military Medical Merit. He is a six-time awardee of the Meritorious Service Medal and a five-time recipient of the Army Commendation Medal. He was the 2002 recipient of the Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S. Andrew Craigie Award and the 2006 ASHP Board of Directors Honorary Membership. He also received the American Pharmacists Association Distinguished Federal Pharmacist and Medical University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy Distinguished Alumni awards.

Heath serves as president and CEO of Heath Healthcare Consulting and is sought out as a mentor by military pharmacy officers and current and prospective pharmacy students.

Heath earned bachelor’s of science degrees in pre-medicine from Clemson University and pharmacy from the Medical University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy. He completed the MBA graduate program at Boston University, a postgraduate year one residency at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, and the Kellogg Graduate School of Management Healthcare Executive Leadership Institute. He is also an honor graduate of the Army’s Command and General Staff College.

About ASHP

ASHP is the largest association of pharmacy professionals in the United States, representing 60,000 pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians in all patient care settings, including hospitals, ambulatory clinics, and health-system community pharmacies. For over 80 years, ASHP has championed innovation in pharmacy practice, advanced education and professional development, and served as a steadfast advocate for members and patients. In addition, ASHP is the accrediting body for pharmacy residency and technician training programs and provides comprehensive resources to support pharmacy professionals through every stage of their careers. For more information, visit ashp.org and ASHP’s consumer website, SafeMedication.com.

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