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AACP Announces 35 New Rising Leaders for ALFP's 20th Cohort

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ALFP aims to support and contribute to the development of leaders in academic pharmacy and higher education. It utilizes an in-depth curriculum aimed at the development of self through the study of leadership theory, personal skills enhancement and guidance from demonstrated leaders. Critical topics addressing how to lead change, conflict management, diversity, equity and inclusion in leadership development, and leadership styles and theory will be covered during the four sessions.

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New features added in recent years include virtual book and journal club discussions on a variety of leadership topics, enhanced discussion on inclusive leadership, as well as opportunities for enhanced ALFP alumni engagement.

Upon completion of the program in 2024, these Fellows will join more than 500 program alumni, many of whom have assumed leadership positions in academic pharmacy, higher education, and other healthcare fields.

“Through their diverse career paths, more than 500 ALFP alumni are making a difference in academic pharmacy, higher education and the pharmacy profession,” said Lee Vermeulen, B.S.Pharm., M.S., FCCP, FFIP, AACP Executive Vice President and CEO. “The 2023 cohort marks the 20th anniversary of this prestigious program and I look forward to seeing the continued transformation of pharmacy education and practice in the next 20 years.”

Fellows were selected on their qualifications with an intentional eye on diversity aspects, including gender, race/ethnicity, type of academic institution, geography, and discipline.

The 2023-2024 Academic Leadership Fellows are:

  1. Katelyn Alexander, Pharm.D., East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy
  2. John Allen, Pharm.D., University of Florida College of Pharmacy
  3. Scott Benken, Pharm.D., MHPE, University of Illinois Chicago College of Pharmacy
  4. Mary Bridgeman, Pharm.D., Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
  5. Sherrill Brown, DVM, Pharm.D., The University of Montana Skaggs School of Pharmacy
  6. Diane Calinski, Ph.D., Manchester University College of Pharmacy, Natural and Health Sciences
  7. Catherine Cone, Pharm.D., Touro University California College of Pharmacy
  8. Julie Cooper, BS, Pharm.D., High Point University Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy
  9. Catherine Crill, Pharm.D., The University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy
  10. Rebecca Cunningham, Ph.D., University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Pharmacy
  11. Edgar Diaz-Cruz, Ph.D., Belmont University College of Pharmacy
  12. Laura Frankart, Pharm.D., M.Ed., Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy
  13. Kelly Grindrod, BScPharm Pharm.D. M.Sc., University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy
  14. Anisa Hansen, Pharm.D, Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
  15. Jessica Hinson, BCBA, Pharm.D., Ohio Northern University College of Pharmacy
  16. Harshita Kumari, Ph.D., University of Cincinnati James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy
  17. Cameron Lindsey, Pharm.D., University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy
  18. Jaime Maerten-Rivera, Ph.D., University at Buffalo, The State University of New York School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
  19. Emily McCoy, Pharm.D., Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy
  20. Jacqueline McLaughlin, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
  21. Rebecca Moote, Pharm.D., M.Sc., BCPS, The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy
  22. Anita Mosley, Pharm.D., Ph.D., University of the Incarnate Word Feik School of Pharmacy
  23. Julie Murphy, B.S.Pharm., Pharm.D., The University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
  24. Angela Nagel, B.S.Pharm., Pharm.D., St. John Fisher College Wegmans School of Pharmacy
  25. Margie Padilla, B.A., Pharm.D., The University of Texas at El Paso School of Pharmacy
  26. Adam Pate, Pharm.D., The University of Mississippi University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy
  27. Jennifer Prisco, Pharm.D., B.A., MCPHS University–Boston School of Pharmacy
  28. Jarred Prudencio, Pharm.D., University of Hawaii at Hilo The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy
  29. Laurel Sampognaro, Pharm.D., The University of Louisiana at Monroe College of Pharmacy, School of Clinical Sciences
  30. Caroline Sierra, B.A., Pharm.D., Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy
  31. Susan Smith, Pharm.D., The University of Georgia College of Pharmacy
  32. Elizabeth Unni, Ph.D., MBA, B.Pharm., Touro College of Pharmacy–New York
  33. Megan Willson, Pharm.D., Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
  34. Shanna O'Connor, Pharm.D., South Dakota State University, College of Pharmacy and Allied Health 
  35. Ashok Philip, Ph.D., University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy

Fellows are grouped into five teams with a Leadership Facilitator, who is a senior leader in health professions education and provides support and encouragement to group members.

The 2023-2024 Leadership Facilitators are:

  • Michelle A. Clark, M.S., Ph.D., Professor and Dean, Nova Southeastern University Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy
  • Arash Dabestani, Pharm.D., MHA, FASHP, FABC, Dean and Professor, Long Island University College of Pharmacy
  • Pam Heaton, B.S.Pharm., Ph.D., Dean, The University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Mary M. Hess, Pharm.D., FASHP, FCCM, FCCP, BCCCP, Senior Associate Dean and Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Thomas Jefferson University Jefferson College of Pharmacy
  • Indra K. Reddy, Ph.D., Professor and Founding Dean, Irma Lerma Rangel School of Pharmacy; Senior Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Texas A&M Health; Texas A&M University

For more information about the Academic Leadership Fellows Program, visit the ALFP page.

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