February 2026

As I began to write this message after returning from another great ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting & Exhibition, I reflected on why I got involved in ASHP. It was because I’ve always believed that meaningful change in pharmacy happens when practitioners come together.

The ASHP SICP gave me a way to connect with others who share my passion for inpatient care, discuss real challenges, and contribute to something bigger than my own organization.  With this in mind, I’m pleased to share an update on the exciting work underway in the ASHP SICP and the many ways our members are helping move inpatient pharmacy practice forward.

This year, our section advisory groups (SAGs) and educational steering committee are focused on developing practical, timely resources that support pharmacists across diverse practice settings.

The Medication Management SAG is advancing several initiatives centered on formulary management and emerging therapies. They will also focus on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to understand how these tools can support drug information services and formulary decision-making.

The Small and Rural Hospital SAG continues to concentrate on the unique needs of pharmacists practicing in smaller and rural health care settings. Its efforts include providing thoughtful analysis and guidance on pharmacy management challenges, developing resources to support precepting and professional development, and identifying strategies that strengthen peer-to-peer communication and networking.

The Compounding Practice SAG is addressing some of the most complex and evolving areas of practice. This year, this group is hosting virtual roundtables on timely compounding topics and collaborating with the Medication Safety SAG on a joint educational webinar. Its work also includes developing practical guidance on the classification, handling, and decontamination of viral vector and gene therapy products.

The Medication Safety SAG is advancing several impactful projects this year. These include work on medication safety data and dashboards, the continued development of the Medication Safety Gems webinar series, and the creation of a medication safety rotation toolkit for students and residents. The group is also developing a psychological safety toolkit and a medication safety officer toolkit. 

Our educational steering committee remains central to our mission and is creating webinars, conference proposals, podcasts, and roundtables focused on the issues that matter most to inpatient practitioners today.

This year’s Midyear highlighted how rapidly our profession is evolving and how many opportunities exist to improve both patient care and system processes. Just as impactful were the opportunities to connect across various practice areas.  Hearing how colleagues address similar challenges offered new perspectives and expanded my own approach to problem-solving back home. This year, the SICP SAGs hosted five well-attended networking sessions, and the insights shared will drive future SAG projects. 

Another highlight of the Midyear was celebrating Todd D. Lemke, PharmD, DPLA, FASHP, who received this year’s SICP Distinguished Service Award for his many years of dedicated service to our section.  I also want to highlight opportunities to get involved in the section. I encourage you to consider joining an SICP SAG. Advisory groups offer a unique opportunity to shape the future of pharmacy practice while growing as a leader. Members collaborate with peers nationwide, contribute to impactful projects, and help elevate the voice of inpatient pharmacists on the issues that matter most. Applications for SAGs and the educational steering committee are due Apr. 15. 

Serving on the SICP Executive Committee has taught me the true power of collective leadership. I have seen firsthand how diverse perspectives — clinical, operational, academic, and industry — lead to stronger solutions and more meaningful progress. This experience has also deepened my pride in our profession and my appreciation for the resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment inpatient pharmacists bring to patient care, even in the face of significant financial and workforce pressures. If you are interested in helping shape the future of our section, executive committee applications are due Feb. 12.

As we look ahead, our focus remains on supporting inpatient practitioners through meaningful education, advocacy, and collaboration. In the coming months, you will see new opportunities to connect through webinars, section discussions, and volunteer roles. Thank you for all that you do to advance inpatient care and for being such an engaged part of our ASHP community. I look forward to continuing this important work together