Benjamin H. Smith, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP, CPP (benjamin.smith@duke.edu), is the associate chief pharmacy officer for population health and ambulatory services at Duke University Health System (DUHS). He earned his PharmD from the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, where he currently serves as an adjunct assistant professor. He completed an ambulatory care specialty pharmacy residency at Mission Hospital and the Mountain Area Health Education Center in Asheville, North Carolina.
At Duke, Smith is responsible for the system ambulatory pharmacy strategy and provides leadership oversight for pharmacy services in primary care, select specialty clinics, and population health. Smith also practices as a clinical pharmacist practitioner (CPP) in an internal medicine clinic. At the state level, he serves as the chair of the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists (NCAP) Ambulatory Care Academy Executive Committee.
His service to ASHP includes current service as a state delegate to the ASHP House of Delegates. He has also served as the vice chair and chair of the ASHP Section of Ambulatory Care Practitioners advisory group on Compensation and Practice Sustainability. Additional service includes presentations at ASHP meetings, editorial reviewer contributions, podcast participation, and facilitation of professional networking sessions.
Meet Benjamin H. Smith
Ambulatory pharmacy practice continues to experience rapid growth, translating into an increasingly positive impact on patient care. The progress has been impressive. ASHP and the Section of Ambulatory Care Practitioners have played a critical role in this advancement by providing exceptional resources, professional development, networking, and advocacy that have supported the evolution of ambulatory pharmacy practice.
This section is highly capable of continuing to advance ambulatory pharmacy practice and the professional growth of our members. Many organizations and practice sites have yet to implement ambulatory pharmacy services or fully scale existing models. Continued efforts to expand sustainable and scalable models of care are essential to ensure pharmacists practice at the top of their scope. This includes promoting the meaningful contributions pharmacy technicians have on patient care and fostering strong interdisciplinary collaborations that positively impact patient outcomes.
From my own clinical practice to initiatives that have significantly expanded population health and ambulatory services at my organization, I have greatly benefited from involvement in this section. The future is bright for ambulatory pharmacy practice and our section. I am honored to have been nominated to serve as chair and appreciate the opportunity to continue serving the section and our shared commitment to improving patient care.