Mary Pat Thomas (Bulfin), PharmD, BCPS, CPHQ (marypat.thomas@virginia.edu) is a Medication Safety Pharmacist at UVA Health in Charlottesville, Virginia. She earned her Doctorate of Pharmacy from the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center, followed by a PGY2 Medication Use Safety and Policy residency at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Thomas is a Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) and a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ). Prior to joining UVA Health, she served as a Medication Safety Pharmacist at the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus in Cleveland, Ohio. In her current role, Dr. Thomas focuses on quality and process improvement through medication safety event reporting, proactive evaluation and investigation, and precepting learners. She is deeply committed to fostering a culture of safety and continuous learning, and she serves as an ASHP Well-Being Ambassador. She also holds the ASHP Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Professional Certificate. A collaborative leader, Dr. Thomas thrives on building interprofessional partnerships that drive system-level improvements through creativity, positivity, and patient-centered care. Her leadership with ASHP includes serving as the 2023-2024 Chair of the Section of Inpatient Care Practitioners (SICP) Educational Steering Committee. Dr. Thomas has contributed to numerous ASHP initiatives, including national conference proposals, podcasts, and webinars.
As a dedicated medication safety pharmacist and advocate for compassionate, patient-centered care, I believe the future of pharmacy depends on integrating advancing technology without losing the human connection essential to clinical decision-making. Amid growing inpatient staffing challenges, we must embrace innovation to reduce burnout, streamline workflows, and strengthen our profession’s resilience always grounded in safety and empathy. My philosophy emphasizes collaboration, equity, and lifelong learning. I’ve led national efforts to improve medication safety for vulnerable populations, co-developing the ISMP Guidelines for Safe Medication Use in Perioperative and Procedural Settings and partnering with manufacturers to enhance safe product labeling. As Chair of the ASHP SICP Educational Steering Committee, I’ve developed resources that support and empower our pharmacy workforce. If elected to serve the SICP as the Director-at-Large, I will champion stronger pharmacist-manufacturer partnerships, expansion of technology resources across care settings, sharing of medication safety solutions to address best practices, and mentorship of future pharmacy leaders. I envision an ASHP community where innovation, inclusion, and collaboration continue to shape a future where technology enhances "never replaces" our ability to care, connect, and lead with purpose.