Dear Colleagues - February 2023

It is my pleasure to introduce this issue of Academic Pharmacy Now. During the past several months as the new CEO of AACP, I have had the opportunity to meet many of you, and I remain amazed at the level of enthusiasm and passion all our members bring to the work of the Association. Despite being swamped with responsibilities of your “day jobs,” our members are, without fail, willing to volunteer for projects, committees, and other activities that benefit the entire pharmacy Academy. Without that level of volunteerism, we could not accomplish nearly as much as we do. I’m now preparing to attend my first AACP Interim Meeting, and I look forward to seeing many of you in Orlando!

This issue of APN contains several important articles that I’d like to draw your attention to. The continued work of our colleges and schools of pharmacy on combatting the opioid epidemic is to be commended. Our feature article discusses efforts from several colleges and schools in working within their communities on this important public health focus. Diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism is not only one of our Association’s strategic priorities, but a focus for all our members. Our colleagues at the Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy describe their development of the nation’s first Hispanic Center of Excellence in Pharmacy as a critical example of advancing the DEIA goals we all share.

Many of our colleges and schools of pharmacy are considering new methods in teaching and assessment. An article from two of our institutional members at the University at Buffalo and the Medical College of Wisconsin provides insight and considerations around pass/fail grading systems that they argue foster collaboration amongst students, and (of critical importance) reduce stress and improve the mental well-being of their learners.

Finally, you will have the opportunity to learn about and from a conversation with the 2022-2024 National Academy of Medicine Fellow in Pharmacy, Dr. Inmaculada Hernandez. Inma, our sixth NAM Pharmacy Fellow, discusses how the program is contributing to her research, and is expanding her development as a scholar and educator. The NAM Pharmacy program—co-sponsored by AACP and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy—is an incredible program that, unfortunately, few of our members are aware of. At the upcoming AACP Annual Meeting in Denver, we will be hosting a session bringing together our current and past fellows to share more information about the program and the impact it has had on their professional lives and the Academy.

I look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming meetings throughout the year. Please do not ever hesitate to contact me with any questions, ideas, or perspectives!

Sincerely,