February 2026
Hi Friends,
As we move into another year together, I want to pause and remind us of a few important truths. Each of you plays a vital role as a pharmacy educator—shaping the future of our learners, advancing patient care, and strengthening our profession. As our field continues to navigate change and complexity, I encourage you to take a moment for yourself and recognize something essential: you are incredible.
I am generalizing, but I believe many pharmacists—and pharmacy educators in particular—rarely stop to reflect on the depth of their impact. Not only as healthcare professionals, but as human beings who work tirelessly to strengthen our healthcare system, so patients receive better care. We often forget to give ourselves the space to acknowledge this. So today, I’m giving you permission to pause, breathe, and repeat after me: “I make a difference.” I am important. And I deserve all the good things in my life.”
One of those good things is the way we support one another. Whether it’s sharing teaching resources, collaborating on scholarship, mentoring colleagues, or simply taking the time to listen and offer guidance, our collective strength lies in this spirit of collaboration. That spirit was on full display during our Section Networking Sessions at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting & Exhibition (MCM) in Las Vegas. These sessions fostered meaningful dialogue thanks to our outstanding SAG leaders, who facilitated discussions on timely and important topics:
- Networking Session: Challenges and Opportunities for Pharmacy Practice Faculty in Professional Practice Settings
Lead Facilitator: Brittany Bates, PharmD, BCPS, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH - Networking Session: Remediation in Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE) Rotations
Lead Facilitator: Devin Lavender, PharmD, BCACP, BCPS, Clinical Associate Professor, University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, Athens, GA - Networking Session: Residency Program Support
Lead Facilitator: Carly Warner, PharmD, BCGP, BCPS, Residency Program Coordinator, Shepherd Center, Atlanta, GA - Educator Pearls Session
Program Chair: Megan Giruzzi, PharmD, BCPS, Clinical Pharmacist, MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital, Yakima, WA
I extend my sincere thanks to these leaders, as well as the table facilitators and presenters who contributed to the success of the Educator Pearls session. If you were unable to attend MCM this year, I encourage you to review the session recaps available on ASHP Connect. While there, you’ll also see that SPE recognized this year’s Distinguished Service Award (DSA) recipient, Dr. Winter Smith—an original executive committee member who played a vital role in creating and organizing this Section. Congratulations, Winter—this honor is truly well deserved!
During MCM, the Section Executive Committee also met for a half-day of strategic planning, focusing on hot topics in pharmacy education and practice. This work aligned closely with our discussions surrounding the Crystal Ball 2 research project, which is being considered for a future webinar and possible AJHP commentary. We also reviewed the incredible work being led by our SAGs. I was truly amazed by the level of commitment, time, and creativity our SAG members have devoted to developing deliverables that are impacting pharmacy education across our profession.
If you’re looking for ways to become more involved, participation in a SAG is one of the most direct and rewarding ways to make an impact. Applications for the 2026–2027 SPE Advisory Groups will open in mid-February and close on April 15, 2026 for one-year appointments. I strongly encourage you to apply and lend your voice and talents to our Section.
There are several additional opportunities to engage with and support SPE this year:
- SPE Distinguished Service Award (DSA): Nominations open in February and close April 1, 2026. This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize a colleague whose service has advanced the mission of our Section and the profession.
- Section Executive Committee Applications: Applications for leadership positions are currently open, with a submission deadline of February 12, 2026.
- ASHP Pharmacy Futures 2026: This exciting meeting will be held in St. Louis and will feature exceptional educational and networking opportunities, including a Summit on AI with topics ranging from its impact on practice to its role in patient care. If you haven’t attended a Futures meeting before, this may be the perfect time to add it to your schedule!
As always, I am deeply thankful for our members—you are truly the backbone of this Section. One of our greatest strengths is our collective voice, and we welcome your ideas, questions, and feedback as we continue to grow and evolve together. Please feel free to reach out with suggestions or concerns at sections@ashp.org.
Thank you for all that you do to support our students, our colleagues, and the profession of pharmacy. Remember: “You make a difference. You are important. And you deserve all the good things in your life.”
Go forth and conquer, friends!
Tim Brown
