David T. Caron Jr., PharmD ([email protected]) is currently the vice president of diagnostics and therapeutics at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. His oversight includes radiology, cardiac rehab, rehab and wellness, lab, respiratory therapy and pharmacy. Previously, Dr. Caron was chief of compliance for the institution. In addition to his current leadership role, Dave sits on several local and system committees. Dave is involved in his community and serves on the board of directors at the local YMCA. Dave is currently co-chair of the local pharmacy and therapeutics committee, manages the hospital’s 340B program, and is the site coordinator and primary preceptor for pharmacy students. As an adjunct faculty member at the University of Rhode Island, Dave was awarded the College of Pharmacy’s Preceptor of the Year in 2020. In 2021, the Massachusetts Immunization Action Partnership (MIAP) named Dr. Caron the Conference Awardee for his work in promoting pediatric immunization education in Massachusetts. Dave is a member of the ISMP Expert Advisory Panel, which helps develop the Targeted Medication Safety Best Practices.
Upon graduation from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, Caron completed his Pharm.D. degree at the University of Kentucky. Dave has worked both clinically and administratively in all facets of small and rural hospital pharmacy. Caron has served ASHP as a poster mentor, a roundtable session facilitator, presenter, and moderator at ASHP’s Midyear Clinical Meeting. He is current the chair of the Section of Inpatient Care Practitioners Advisory Group on Small and Rural Hospitals.
For over 30 years, I’ve had a passion to pass my enthusiasm about this profession onto others. As a long-standing member of ASHP, I’ve leveraged ASHP tools and resources to influence the way I practice as a leader, clinician, and preceptor. As Chair of this year’s Small and Rural SAG, I initiated a tradition where all our meetings started off with an inspirational quote. One of my favorites… “Start by doing what is necessary; then do what is possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible” is indicative of how small and rural hospital providers practice each day. I would like to use my role as a member of the SICP leadership team to bridge the gap between practice sites while promoting an opportunity to network, develop professionally, and address challenges we collectively face in our profession. Pharmacists are faced with unprecedented challenges and finding our voice as a profession is essential in validating our role as the unequivocal drug expert in the healthcare system. Pandemics, questions about diversity and equity and proposed changes in scope of practice have all posed healthy challenges on how we are defined. Having worked as an operational pharmacist, a clinician, and a pharmacy leader, I see the complexities in managing where we fit within the care team.
If given the opportunity to serve in the role of director-at-large, I would strive to provide our members the opportunity to “do the impossible.” It is an honor to be nominated, and I appreciate your support and consideration.