September 2024
Dear Members of the Section for Clinical Specialists and Scientists,
It is an honor to serve as your Chair for the Section this year. I am deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in me to lead our dynamic and innovative community. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our outgoing Chair, Nancy MacDonald, and past Director-at-Large, Brian Potoski, for their outstanding leadership and dedication over the past year.
This year, my primary goal is to highlight and expand the critical contributions that clinical specialists and scientists make within the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI). As we explore new frontiers in pharmacy practice, AI is emerging as a transformative tool with the potential to revolutionize our field. We will focus on understanding and implementing AI technologies to enhance clinical decision-making, optimize medication management, and improve patient outcomes. Our focus will cover evaluating AI tools for drug interactions, creating personalized treatment plans, and streamlining workflows. The aim is to position our section at the forefront of AI ensuring that our members are well-equipped to leverage innovation effectively in their practices.
Looking ahead, our strategic priorities for the coming year will center on several key areas:
- Expanding and redefining the roles of the pharmacy workforce in healthcare, with a strong emphasis on accountability.
- Developing and utilizing resources that highlight the indispensable role of pharmacists and pharmacy services throughout the continuum of care and across diverse communities.
- Serving as subject matter experts, offering critical insights and creating essential resources that pharmacists seek out for their clinical needs.
- Supporting and facilitating innovative approaches to pharmacy practice.
- Striving to make the Section the professional home of choice for Clinical Specialists and Scientists by fostering success through the creation of valuable resources and experiences.
Our Section Advisory Groups (SAGs) and committees, driven by your engagement and expertise, will be instrumental in achieving these goals. We have an exciting array of activities planned for the year, including podcasts, webinars, and presentations. Here is some of the content that the SCSS has created that is free to members like you:
- For those of you who like to listen to podcasts and earn continuing education on your commute, the SCSS has created over 25 episodes including topics covering pain management, emergency medicine, transplants, infectious diseases, pediatrics, palliative care and more! Podcasts with CE.
- Upcoming Live Webinars
- On-Demand Webinars
- Another Year Wiser: Reducing Ageism
- Pharmacoequity for All: The Time is Now
- Transgender Care in the Emergency Department
- Full House: Handling Boarding Patients in the Emergency Department
- Mastering Maternity: Clinical Pharmacist Insights into OB Physiology, Emergencies, and Resources for Contemporary Care
- An introduction to a new micro-continuing education offering, the recorded pharmacist series, or REPS. REPS are a series of short, educational presentations brought to you by ASHP content matter experts on topics that a pharmacist is likely to face in clinical practice. These episodes are 15-20 minutes in length and offer continuing education in areas including Emergency Medicine, biomarkers, cell and gene therapy and pediatrics. We have over 20 episodes that will be released monthly throughout this year. Recorded Pharmacist Series.
Whether you're new to the section or have been a part of this community for years, I encourage you to visit the SCSS webpage. There, you'll find a wide range of resources, networking opportunities, and various ways to get involved. Your active participation as an ASHP member is vital in shaping the future of our profession
If you haven’t already, I would also encourage you to check out introduce the member exclusive ASHP Navigator — ASHP’s centralized hub designed to elevate your membership experience. You can track continuing education, explore volunteer and professional development opportunities and tailor your clinical and leadership needs through news content based on your interests. ASHP Navigator.
Finally, Thank you once again for the opportunity to serve you. I eagerly anticipate our collective work this year. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or suggestions.
Warm regards,
Megan Musselman, PharmD, MS, BCEMP, BCCCP, BCPS, DPLA, FASHP, FACCP
Chair, Section for Clinical Specialists and Scientists
[email protected]
