Kim W. Benner, PharmD, BCPS, FALSHP, FASHP, FPPA (kwbenner@samford.edu) is a professor of pharmacy practice at the Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy, and pediatric clinical specialist at Children’s of Alabama (COA). Upon graduating from Samford, she completed a residency and then pursued a joint pediatric/academic role. Benner has both didactic (i.e., pediatrics, health-system pharmacy, medical missions) and experiential teaching experience with many medical learners. Practice experience includes 25+ years providing direct patient care in pediatric intensive care and pulmonary units working with multidisciplinary teams. She precepts PGY1 and PGY2 residents, participates in the resident mentoring program, and has served on numerous practice site interdisciplinary committees. At Samford, she is SSHP faculty advisor, admissions committee chair, serves on mentoring and recruiting cores, coordinates a teaching and learning program for local residents, and directs pharmacy camp. Advocacy efforts include 340B transparency, PBM reform, step therapy, and provider status. Her research centers around pediatrics and pharmacy education.
Benner’s current ASHP service includes: section advisory group, ASHP Foundation committees , Clinical Skills Competition (CSC) judge, student leadership award selection committee, CV reviewer, and guided mentorship program. Past ASHP activities include Board of Directors (2021-24), Section of Clinical Specialists and Scientists chair, CSC coordinator, and chair of Committee on Nominations and Council of Therapeutics. ASHP state affiliate (ALSHP) activities currently include student affairs committee. She also served ALSHP as delegate, president, and council director. Benner has authored an ASHP guideline and therapeutic position statement and has earned service awards. She is a fellow of ALSHP and ASHP.
ASHP has been my professional home for 30 years, from the time I was a pharmacy student and founded Samford’s ASHP student chapter. I have actively participated in ASHP via the board of directors, section and council work, delegate, and my state affiliate, including serving as past president. These activities help me fulfill ASHP’s mission of supporting our members to achieve optimal patient health outcomes.
My career as a pharmacist has focused on providing direct pediatric patient care. Therefore, I envision a pharmacy practice that delivers patient-centered team care inclusive of pharmacists deployed in all areas of the health system, technicians with advanced roles, and pharmacy support staff. We should continue developing this workforce, with enhanced emphasis on well-being initiatives. Pharmacy services within new or unique models of care should be strengthened. Recruiting for our profession and mentoring others is crucial for the future of pharmacy. Advocacy efforts should continue to focus on improving patient access, seeking pharmacist provider status, and protecting 340B programs for health systems, such as the hospital where I practice.
I value the opportunity to care for patients while practicing what I teach to pharmacy and medical learners. I am proud to have participated in key pharmacy health-system initiatives that have strengthened our profession during my career and time in ASHP leadership. Serving as president to continue working with the board of directors, maintaining our forward momentum, and striving for excellence in care for the patients we serve, would be my greatest professional honor.