January 2023
Dear Colleagues,
As we enter a new year, I would like to take this time to wish you all continued health, happiness, and success.
The ASHP Section of Pharmacy Educators (SPE) has had a very productive year in 2022. The SPE produced several webinars and podcasts targeting topics related to well-being and resiliency, precepting and mentorship, residency training program guides, addressing implicit bias and cultural alignment, and leadership in pharmacy academia. The SPE drafted the first ASHP Statement on Precepting as a Professional Obligation, and held focus groups with academic leaders to better understand their needs. SPE was also pleased to share publication of the Section’s Crystal Ball project exploring trends in pharmacy education. We look forward to continuing to explore topics relevant to education, particularly as they pertain to the needs of training future pharmacists to become able, competent, and culturally sensitive practitioners.
The SPE in collaboration with SCSS continues to develop resources for encouraging pharmacy as a professional career path for undergraduate and high school students. Resources already developed include presentation materials, recommended activities, and videos of pharmacists discussing their roles. The comprehensive toolkit can be accessed on the ASHP webpage. Finally, the SPE developed a member video to introduce section members to ASHP’s pertinent resources and engagement opportunities.
During the 2022 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition, our Section held three roundtable discussions which focused on Precepting Learners: Challenges and Opportunities, Adapting to Generational Priorities to Pharmacy Education and Workforce, and Best Practices and Definitions for Hybrid Work in Pharmacy Workforce and Education. All roundtable sessions were very well-attended and we look forward to more opportunities for active engagement.
I would like to share some Section Advisory Group (SAG) highlights from this past year.
- The Collaboration between Health Systems and Academia (CHSA) group focused on advancing integrated training practices for the workforce, advancing awareness of Health-System (HS) pharmacists, and advancing the profession. Many of our new resources can be found on the ASHP Pharmacy Educators Resource Center.
- The Development of the Educational Workforce (DEW) group is focused on DEI and preceptor deliverables. The group released education and spotlights related to how we can better incorporate DEI in pharmacy education (specifically programs by Dr. Jonkman, Dr. Schmelz, and Dr. Astle). The group is currently working on a preceptor development resources and education on layered learning and professional identity formation.
- The Development of Student Education and Learning Experiences (SELE) group has been a strong advocate for ASHP’s Wellbeing Ambassador Program and continues to support ASHP WBR initiatives for education. Regarding Interprofessional education (IPE), the group continues to update the newly published ASHP toolkit on Interprofessional Practice and Education.
- Lastly, the Development of Post-Graduate Education and Learning Experiences (PELE) group continues to support our programs, especially as they are gearing up for the new standards. Following last year’s RPD Survival Guide, Standards 3.4, Precepting Generation Z, and Pass-Fail Model webinars, we look forward to offering more program-specific resources. All content can be accessed on the ASHP elearning catalog under the preceptor tag.
While we have had a wonderful year, I wanted to share some on how you can engage with SPE:
- A great way to become or stay involved in the Section of Pharmacy Educators is to participate in one of our Section Advisory Groups. I encourage you to apply here. Applications will open February 1 and will close May 1 for this one-year appointment.
- If you are interested in contributing to ASHP’s educational programming during our conferences, I encourage you to submit proposals for educational sessions for the 2023 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. The deadline for submitting a proposal is 11:59 p.m. (Pacific), February 1, 2023.
- In addition, please consider submitting an abstract for the 2023 National Pharmacy Preceptors Conference (NPPC) through January 15, or a poster by July 15.
We look forward to continuing to support you in 2023, and beyond. In the meantime, if you have any questions, would like to share information, or would like to learn more about how to contribute to our section, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Kindest Regards,
James A. Trovato, Pharm.D., M.B.A., FASHP
Chair, ASHP Section of Pharmacy Educators
sections@ashp.org
