Academy of Community-Based Pharmacists

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) defines a community-based pharmacist as a pharmacist who routinely provides patient care services that meet their patients’ needs within any community-based setting. Community-based pharmacy settings are those that take place outside of the inpatient health-system setting (e.g., chain and independent pharmacy, hospital outpatient clinics and pharmacies, physician offices, nursing homes, federally qualified health centers, etc.).

Are you a pharmacist that supports the advocacy of community-based pharmacy? The Academy of Community-Based Pharmacists began in August 2018. The Academy allows community-based pharmacists to collaborate and represent community-based pharmacy as one united voice. Membership in the Academy is open to any Society member who considers him/herself a community-based pharmacist.

Meetings:

First Thursday of the month from 12:00PM-1:00PM
We welcome participation all community pharmacists including from the Independent Pharmacy Council, as the discussions and initiatives covered have implications for all community pharmacists.

Meeting Date	Time	In person / Virtual	Zoom Registration Link
October 1^st	Evening	In person - Location TBD
November 5^th	12PM to 1PM	Virtual	https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/qM8BQ4cySlKL5lsjnivWmw
January 7^th	12PM to 1PM	Virtual	https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/VCUfohycRLCK1rTWseFaOg
March 4^th	Evening	In person - Location TBD
April 1^st	12PM to 1PM	Virtual	https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/6h6jJzzDTmKobJ45uyV2yw
May 6^th	12PM to 1PM	Virtual	https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/zh2S2mtVSsi189j_Xf70_w

The Council of Independent Pharmacy:

The Council of Independent Pharmacy is dedicated to topics impacting independent pharmacies. Please see the link below for meeting dates and times (launched January 2026).

Click Here to Visit the Council of Independent Pharmacy Page

Leadership

Chairs: Kelsey Schwander ([email protected]) and Robert Willis ([email protected])
Representative on the Board: Gab Castellano ([email protected])

Leadership Support Team: PGY1 Community Based Residents- Regis University and Safeway: Melina Harris and Cyara Brooks; PGY1 Community Based Residents- Colorado University: Carla Medina-Gil (King Soopers), Allison Burback (Good Day), and Mitsy Ledesma (Sheridan and Denver Indian Health)

Please contact Gabriela Castellano at [email protected] with any questions. Thank you for your continued involvement!

The Benefits of the Academy of Community-Based Pharmacists include:

Networking and collaboration with other community-based pharmacists across the state.
Opportunities for community-based pharmacists to be involved in legislative policy, CE events/education, networking, and future CPS endeavors.
Representation and promotion of the community-based pharmacy profession, including special interest practices or local practice settings.
Electing one member of the academy to serve on the board of directors.
- This representative will be the leadership voice for community-based pharmacy and advocate for community-based pharmacists within CPS.
Leadership positions within the academy.

Charges

Work with CPS Ambassadors to engage community-based pharmacist in rural areas of Colorado
Offer at least two community focused educational sessions
Increase meeting attendance and engagement by including a Hot Topic Discussion during each academy meeting

Spring 2026 - Food Bank of the Rockies Volunteer Day