Listed below are the New Practitioner Appointments to the ASHP Councils/Commissions for 2011-2012.

Commission on Affiliate Relations

John Hertig, Pharm.D.
North Carolina

• The COAR Experience

  I was privileged to have been given the opportunity to serve as the new practitioner representative on the Commission on Affiliate Relations (COAR). The 14-member COAR has a somewhat unique charge; this group, which includes one student and one new practitioner member, advises the ASHP Board of Directors on standards for affiliation, implementation of the standards, methods of strengthening affiliates, and methods of building affiliate relationships that help advance ASHP's objectives. We met at ASHP Policy Week in Bethesda, MD along with all the ASHP Councils, but our work is an on-going, year-long commitment.

  The Policy Week experience is a very unique and enlightening opportunity to work with colleagues just minutes from ASHP Headquarters. My week began with an orientation at Headquarters, which outlined the ASHP Policy Process, defined our roles on the COAR, and touched on current ASHP legislative efforts in preparation for ASHP Legislative Day. Following orientation, we had a fantastic networking reception where we had the chance to mingle and chat with fellow colleagues and staff from ASHP. These events are always excellent networking opportunities, allowing me to re-connect with friends and meet new faces, gaining great perspective from all.

  The COAR was comprised of a diverse group of pharmacy leaders. Members of the COAR came from various backgrounds, regions, and training. We had members who were clinical pharmacists, academics, pharmacy managers, and an affiliate executive director. The passion, insight, and perspective on display during our 2-day discussions was both enlightening and empowering. Importantly, my comments and insights as a new practitioner were always valued and sought out on various issues, including new practitioner involvement in affiliates and in strategic pharmacy initiatives. My experience on the COAR was extremely valuable. I would highly recommend that my fellow new practitioners consider applying for this unique opportunity to get involved with a critically important ASHP group.

  Policy Week concluded with ASHP Legislative Day on Capitol Hill. The major focus of our legislative efforts was the Senate and House bills introduced to help minimize the impact of drug shortages on our patients. This was an exciting topic and time as this issue has gained some important national media attention. I, along with a colleague from Indiana, spoke with staff from Indiana Senators Dan Coats and Richard Lugar. We discussed the impacts drug shortages have on providing the best possible care, specifically outlining the assistance our law-makers can provide by passing the bill into law. Playing this important role of advocate is a great passion of mine and an experience that you will never forget. Importantly, advocacy may start in Washington, yet remains a continual process. To encourage ongoing dialogue with our Senators, I reached out, providing my contact information, so that their offices could contact me to discuss any important medication-related issues in the future. With Policy Week behind me, I look forward to continuing my role as a COAR member and ongoing discussions with our policy and advocacy leaders. What a great week!

Commission on Credentialing

Meghan Davlin, Pharm.D.
Maryland

• The COC Experience
  As the Resident Member on the Commission on Credentialing (COC), I have the honor of representing the 2500 residents in ASHP accredited residency training programs. At a basic level, the ASHP accreditation process involves two major processes. First, a group of trained surveyors conduct onsite accreditation visits at residency program sites and technician training programs. The surveyors’ report and recommendations as well as the site’s response are sent to the COC members for review. The COC then meets semiannually to discuss the accreditation reports and to vote on the program’s accreditation status. I have full voting privileges on the COC, and I am actively engaged in discussion and deliberation. As the number of residencies continues to grow, the number of accreditation reports has also grown. At the August 2010 meeting alone, the COC reviewed over 220 residency programs. Through my involvement I have the opportunity to participate in an accreditation site visit, COC meetings, and the National Residency Preceptors Conference. I also serve as a member of the Standards Subcommittee, which oversees and periodically updates the accreditation standards for all residency programs.
  
  I have been amazed at the time COC members and residency program directors dedicate to residency training. It is obvious that the ASHP volunteers that serve as surveyors and members of the COC are committed to developing a well-trained pharmacy workforce. I was also surprised to discover that the accreditation process reviews the overall pharmacy services at the training site in addition to the residency training program. The peer review accreditation process not only ensures optimal residency training but also raises the bar of quality for pharmacy practice overall. If you are interested in becoming a Residency Program Director or want to become more engaged in professional workforce development, I would strongly encourage you to apply to become the next resident member of the COC.

Council on Education and Workforce Development

Kate Schaafsma, Pharm.D.
Wisconsin

Council on Pharmacy Management

John Gray, Pharm.D.
Wisconsin

• The COPM Experience

  In many ways, policy week was what I expected it to be. However, there were some aspects of the policy week experience that surprised me. I expected to make connections with like-minded colleagues from all over the country. I also expected to be challenged to think big with respect to the agenda items that my council considered. The policy week experience certainly exceeded my expectations in those ways. I was surprised by the quality and quantity of the materials that the ASHP staff provided to participants to prepare for policy week. Although reading the preparatory materials required a significant time commitment, I think doing so helped me to develop a deep understanding of the issues we discussed—this is knowledge that I was able to bring back to my institution. Although I was a little apprehensive about my Capitol Hill meetings, I surprised myself when it was time to educate my elected officials about the impacts that drug shortages are having on our practice. All told, my participating in ASHP’s policy week is my most professionally-rewarding experience to date; I am pleased that I was able to work with the ASHP staff and my colleagues to help develop professional policy and set priorities for ASHP. I strongly encourage new practitioner members to seek appointment to a council; you will benefit from the knowledge and confidence that you gain and ASHP benefits from the unique perspective that you bring to the table.

Council on Pharmacy Practice

Rachel Kruer, Pharm.D.
Maryland

• The COPhP Experience

  As a member of the Council on Pharmacy Practice, I have the privilege of representing new practitioner members of ASHP and providing a unique perspective as the Council contemplates current issues related to the responsibilities of pharmacy practitioners in hospitals and health systems. The Council on Pharmacy Practice considers matters facing the profession regarding practitioner care for individual patients, practitioner activities in public health, pharmacy practice standards and quality, professional ethics, inter-professional and public relations, and related issues. The Councils are charged with making policy recommendations for future action by the Board of Directors and the House of Delegates.

  Being a participant in Policy Week affords numerous networking possibilities, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with a number of the profession’s most dynamic and insightful leaders. In addition to the lively discussions that occur during the Council’s deliberations, Council members have the opportunity to attend the annual William A. Zellmer Lecture.

  Policy Week culminates with Legislative Day. Members from each state visit Capitol Hill to educate legislators about issues that affect health system pharmacy and the role that pharmacists play in the delivery of quality patient care. Legislative Day also provides the opportunity to thank Members of Congress for their support of important healthcare legislation.

  Serving as the new practitioner member of the Council on Pharmacy Practice is an invaluable experience. Through council membership, new practitioners can gain a greater perspective on the role of the pharmacist in diverse hospital and health-system settings. The new practitioner member plays a unique and important role in the development of pharmacy practice standards for the future of the profession.

Council on Public Policy

Lindsey Justin, Pharm.D.
Ohio

• The COPP Experience

  As I reflect on my time during ASHP Policy Week, one inspirational moment comes to mind. It was when Dr. Henry Manasse presented the following questions to our Council (Council on Public Policy) as we were discussing pharmacists’ prescriptive authority: “What is the Pharmacy Theory of Practice? Do we value our autonomy, unique knowledge and skills? How do we want to represent ourselves to other health care professions?” These questions really made me understand the true meaning of Policy Week and how each issue on our agenda will influence the path that our profession will take. As pharmacists we have the privilege of defining this path, and during Policy Week I saw passionate individuals volunteering their time to represent other pharmacists, new practitioners, students, their institutions, states, and profession.

  I was also very proud of the ASHP staff members who worked so hard to make the week a success. Their efforts coordinating meetings with our legislators and their staff gave us the opportunity to speak one-on-one about the important issues facing pharmacy today. Most had heard of the drug shortage crisis, but few really understood how it is affecting our patients on the front lines. We urged them to support the bipartisan legislation and discussed the important role of the pharmacist in ensuring safe and effective use of medications.

  After leaving Policy Week, I felt truly inspired by where the profession of pharmacy is today and the path we are paving for our future.

Council on Therapeutics

Linda Banares, Pharm.D.
California

• The COT Experience

  Participating in ASHP Policy Week 2011 as the New Practitioner member of the Council on Therapeutics was truly a thrill. It was one of the most invigorating and inspiring weeks of my professional organization involvement. To start with, it was such a privilege to be part of a group who is passionate about moving our profession forward and representing ASHP members, while maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards. As a new practitioner, I was able to glean a lot of pearls of wisdom from those who have been in the profession longer than I. Secondly, I was struck by the tireless efforts of all ASHP staff. To strive month after month, year after year, with such united efforts and enthusiasm is truly remarkable. Lastly, it was a thrill to end the week on Capitol Hill with colleagues from my state. This was my first experience visiting the offices of legislators, and it felt great to finally get over that "hump"- previously I would have been intimidated at the thought of doing this, but it was actually a very welcoming environment for us to share our stance on healthcare legislation. Now I can't wait for the next opportunity to visit my legislators' offices, and plan to do so in the spring at the state level.