This Leaders Conference  is an annual, day-long  event at the Midyear Clinical Meeting.  It is an opportunity to focus on important issues for state affiliates and provides a chance for affiliate leaders and executives to network with their peers from other states.  The Conference at the 2011 Midyear was on Sunday, December 4, and was a Town Hall format.  Dr. Henri Manasse discussed the important role that state affiliates have played within ASHP during his tenure at Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer.  D. Paul Abramowitz, the new Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, discussed his views about the future roles for state affiliates as they continue to be a major factor within the organization.  State affiliate leaders then had an opportunity to participate in a town hall discussion and dialogue with these two nationally recognized pharmacy leaders.

In addition to the Town Hall, affiliate leaders had an opportunity to hear a public relations update from Aretha Hankinson, Manager of Public Relations, ASHP.  And, there was also a session on “Adventures in Advocacy”. Five case studies were presented on real legislative victories during the 2011 legislative sessions at the state level. And, there was a dedicated session on biosimiliars.  This was a briefing on the issues of biosimilars and the possible impact in state legislatures for the 2012 legislative sessions.

The final event of the day was affiliate networking roundtables.  This is an opportunity for small group discussions between state affiliate leaders and staff, presenters and ASHP staff on professional practice, advocacy, and organizational issues.