July 2025
Dear SCSS Members and Colleagues,
As I write my final message as Section of Clinical Specialists and Scientists chair, I want to leave you with words of encouragement and, above all, reaffirm my unwavering commitment to staying true to the heart of what it means to serve and uplift our communities. In times of uncertainty, it’s easy to feel lost, but I want to remind you of the strength we draw from our shared commitment and resilience. While the path may not always be clear, it’s our collective dedication and vision that continues to propel us forward. Together, we stand firm in the face of challenges, trusting that every step we take — no matter how uncertain the future may seem — brings us closer to the impact we aim to make.
The incredible work of the ASHP SCSS advisory groups is a shining example of this unwavering commitment. I am immensely proud of what the over 130 members of our advisory groups and committees have accomplished as a group, and the foundation we are building for the future of pharmacy is stronger than ever.
Over the past year, we’ve reached several significant milestones:
- Webinars: We’ve hosted a series of engaging and informative webinars that have sparked critical conversations and provided valuable insights for pharmacy professionals. Topics included maternal health, pediatrics, emergency medicine and new and emerging therapies; you can find these on eLearning.ashp.org.
- REPS (Recorded Pharmacy Series): We listened to your educational needs and as a result, reworked our long-standing Recorded Pharmacist Series to provide CE in short, consumable, on-demand sessions that range from 15 to 30 minutes in length and cover practice areas such as emergency medicine, biomarkers, opioid use disorder, and more.
- Podcasts: Our podcasts have reached new audiences, delivering timely discussions on pressing issues in pharmacy practice and policy. We also continue CE for listening to some of these episodes with no additional charge to ASHP members.
- SCSS at Meetings: SCSS advisory groups and committees continue to play an essential role in presenting forward-thinking proposals at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting & Exhibition. We also continue to host networking events at the Midyear meeting, including the incredibly popular poster and networking sessions that have been offered for over seven years. Our advisory groups and committees have also contributed to the programming at ASHP Pharmacy Futures, making it a can’t miss event.
Our contributions go far beyond education and programming. SCSS has also been at the forefront of shaping policy in key areas that directly affect patient care and pharmacy practice. As your representative in the ASHP House of Delegates I am happy to report that topics brought forth from the sections are now a part of ASHP policy, which shapes organizational priorities and helps with advocacy efforts. These include:
- Expedited Partner Therapy: We’ve helped shape policies supporting expedited partner therapy, improving access to treatment and public health outcomes.
- Drug Moieties: SCSS has advocated for the inclusion of pharmacists in developing policies and decisions surrounding drug moieties, ensuring the safe and effective use of medications.
- Timely Height and Weights: We’ve played a crucial role in shaping policies that ensure the timely collection of height and weight data, which is essential for patient safety and treatment accuracy.
In each of these efforts, SCSS has proven time and again that even when the road ahead seems uncertain, our collective action and resolve make a real difference. We’re not just responding to change—we are actively shaping the future of our profession.
I am deeply grateful for the passion, dedication, and expertise of every member of this group. As we continue to stand firm in the face of adversity, I am confident that the work we do will continue to create a lasting, positive impact on the pharmacy profession and the patients we serve.
Let’s continue moving forward, together, knowing that our best days are still ahead.
“Fight for the things that you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”
— Ruth Bader Ginsburg
With gratitude,
Megan Musselman
Chair, ASHP SCSS
