My very first exposure to ASHP was in 1978 when I attended the Midyear Clinical Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, as a resident. I went to that meeting to attend educational sessions, network, and participate in the Personnel Placement Service to hopefully secure my first job. I came away with a sense of awe for an organization that could convene a record 5,036 pharmacy professionals, all of whom shared a commitment to safe and effective medication use and advancing pharmacy practice in the hospital setting. I immediately knew that I had found my professional home and a community in which I could grow and thrive as a practitioner and leader.

I will never forget the insightful words of Mr. Edward Nold, the director of pharmacy at the University of Chicago, where I landed my first job post-residency. Ed told me, “If ASHP ever asks you to do anything, do it. It will pay back 100-fold.” He was right on target.

ASHP has been such a meaningful part of my life for so many years. Through my service on various committees and task forces, the board of directors, as treasurer, as president, and ultimately as CEO, I have learned more than I could have imagined and been continuously inspired by both our passionate members and of course our dedicated staff with whom I have been privileged to work.

When I became CEO in 2011, I had a clear vision for the future of pharmacy practice and ASHP’s role in making that vision a reality. What we have achieved together over the ensuing 14 years has exceeded my expectations.

ASHP is now the largest professional pharmacy organization in the nation, experiencing exponential growth over the past 14 years and reaching 60,000 members. Revenue from our world-class products, programs, and services exceeds $60 million annually. We have more than 6,000 residents annually in more than 3,000 accredited programs. Our Midyear meeting is the largest annual gathering of pharmacists in the world with more than 20,000 attendees. We are one of the largest providers of pharmacy CE in the nation, issuing more than 700,000 CE hours in 2024. ASHP is the voice of hospital and health-system pharmacy on Capitol Hill and in partnership with our 52 state affiliates across the country, advocating for access to pharmacist-provided patient care services, and to safe, effective, and affordable medications for all.

ASHP has greatly expanded our reach into all aspects of ambulatory care in hospitals and health systems and supports our members as they provide care to patients across the entire continuum of care. The Pharmacy Technician Society (TPTS), established in 2023, allows us to better represent and recognize the critical role of pharmacy technicians on the healthcare team.

And last year, we launched our first ever national public awareness campaign, We’re Your Pharmacist, reaching tens of millions of Americans to bring greater visibility to the vital patient care roles of hospital and health-system pharmacists.

None of this would have been possible without the visionary leadership of the ASHP Board of Directors, past and present, with whom I have had the honor to work during my tenure. I am grateful for their support, camaraderie, and passionate service to the profession of pharmacy.

And I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge ASHP’s extraordinary staff and senior leadership team. It has been my great fortune to work alongside each and every one of these talented leaders, whose collective expertise has helped ASHP build and sustain an award-winning culture and an unyielding commitment to excellence.

Together, we have built a strong foundation, ensuring that ASHP is solidly positioned for continued growth and success well into the future. Knowing this has been pivotal in the timing of my decision.

Over the past several years, many friends have told me that “I would know” when the time was right to retire. As I look ahead, I know that time has come. For all the fulfillment ASHP has brought me, I am excited to head back to Iowa City to spend more time with my wonderful wife of 50 years, Jan, our two children, Nicole and Sean, and our four grandchildren, Everest, Laurelei, Eliza, and our newest, Jerry.

Over the coming months, ASHP will conduct a rigorous search for the next CEO to lead this great organization and continue to fulfill its bright promise. During that time, I will be here, working alongside our board, our volunteers, and our staff to continue to provide the best resources, tools, and information to support our members.

In closing, I want to say thank you. Thank you for entrusting me with the leadership of this great organization for the past 14 years and supporting me throughout my tenure. Building on the legacies of previous ASHP CEOs Gloria Francke, Joseph Oddis, and Henri Manasse has truly been the greatest honor of my career.

In retirement, ASHP will never be far from my thoughts, and I will always be a staunch supporter of the organization, the profession, and the patients we serve.

Sincerely,

Paul

Posted on April 2, 2025