October 2024
Dear Colleagues,
It is my honor to serve you as chair of the Section of Pharmacy Practice Leaders (SPPL) for 2024-2025.
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all who serve on our section advisory group and committee chairs, vice chairs, and members. Your dedication to the section’s vision shapes its success. I extend my sincere gratitude to our previous executive committee for exceptional service. Thank you, Lindsey Amerine (outgoing past chair) and Anthony Scott (outgoing director-at-large) for your leadership, role modeling, and friendship over the past years. I’d like to recognize the ongoing contributions of Lindsey Kelley (immediate past chair), Bill Kernan (director-at-large), and Amanda Hansen (director-at-large). Additionally, I would like to welcome Anthony Scott (chair-elect) and Della Bahmandar (director-at-large-elect) to the executive committee. Lastly, I would like to offer special acknowledgment to David Chen, assistant vice president for pharmacy leadership and planning (who just celebrated 20 years of service to ASHP), and Tyffani Wingfield, director of member relations for their ongoing commitment to our section and advancing the profession.
Last week it was a special privilege to see more than 550 of our peers in attendance at the ASHP Conference for Pharmacy Leaders.
John S. Clark, recipient of the 2024 Webb Lecture Award, presented his contemplative lecture at the conference. He focused on examples of teamwork, the ideal team player, trust, and gratitude during his career. He encouraged us to become “Stage 4 leaders” to take care of our teams and provide strong outcomes.
He also commented on the 20th anniversary of Sara J. White’s ASHP Scholar-in-Residence report, Will There be a Pharmacy Leadership Crisis? Clark reminded us we must continue to develop and grow leaders to ensure we avoid the leadership crisis she identified years ago. The section is currently revisiting in order to reevaluate where we are and inform our members of the current and future state of pharmacy leaders.
As I consider this recent experience, I would be remiss if I did not take a personal opportunity to reflect on the recent loss of Sara and her immense impact on pharmacy leadership. She was a mentor, friend, advisor, champion, sponsor, and challenger to so many of us. I recall my first ASHP Conference for Pharmacy Leaders 15 years ago. It was not my first interaction with Sara, but it was the first time I felt her immense ownership of the development of future leaders and drive to ensure HSPAL residents were getting the most from the experience. I am honored to have had Sara’s direct and indirect impact on my career since that time and am grateful for the opportunities she provided that have helped develop me to be the leader I am today.
Sara served as chair of the ASHP Women in Pharmacy Leadership Steering Committee and initiated the Women in Pharmacy Leadership networking sessions. As the Women in Pharmacy Leadership portfolio of activities continues to grow, the coordination will be supported by the SPPL. I am confident our members and actions will continue to make Sara proud and maintain her legacy of leadership development.
If you were unable to join us at the ASHP Conference for Leaders this past week in Chicago, I would encourage you to consider diving into these hot topics that were highlighted:
- Sexual harassment awareness and prevention
- Financial and business development leadership
- Recruitment and succession planning
- Cybersecurity and artificial intelligence
- Strategic partnerships for pharmacy executives
Thank you to the SPPL Educational Steering Committee for challenging us to discuss hard topics. We know we can do hard things, and more importantly, we need to talk about these hard things. Being vulnerable through sharing experiences and lessons learned, our speakers provided insight and direction for others. If you missed this year, be sure to mark your calendar for next year’s Conference for Pharmacy Leaders in Chicago, Oct. 5-7.
This year my challenge to each section advisory group member, and now to each of you, is to find a venue to share the We Are Your Pharmacist campaign in your sphere of influence. This may be a local high school, sports team, or spiritual practice. It may be through social media or a newsletter. Consider it a way to participate in advocacy as your professional obligation this year by talking about your role in the care of patients. Not only are we drawing attention to the very important work each of you do daily, but we also draw future pharmacists to join our workforce.
Finally, I want to thank you each for being “big L” or “little l” leaders in your local organizations. (Reference: Sara White’s Whitney Lecture Leadership: Successful Alchemy) I hope you each find a way to celebrate the work of your teams this month as we celebrate National Pharmacy Month and Hospital and Health System Pharmacy Week starting Oct. 21. Be proud of what you do each day to support your team and your patients.
Thank you in advance for all the work you will put into the section over the upcoming year. I look forward to working with the executive committee on your behalf.
Warmly,
Kat Miller
