The Academy of Health-System Pharmacists (AHP) was formed to ensure that the current and future interests of health-system pharmacists are being promoted, represented, and recognized at the state level as well as within the parent organization, the Colorado Pharmacists Society (CPS). Our academy is a state affiliate of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), so we have the benefit of ASHP national support in addition to CPS local support.

You may be asking yourself, “What does ‘health-system pharmacy’ mean?” In 1995, ASHP expanded their focus beyond hospital pharmacy to include ambulatory and home care providers as they recognized the changing landscape of pharmacy services. Since then, ASHP has continued to grow to a 35,000 member organization that represents pharmacists who practice in hospitals, health maintenance organizations, long-term care facilities, home care, and other aspects of health care systems. ASHP now has member sections for:

Similar to ASHP, our academy serves the interests of all health-system pharmacists in Colorado. We provide great opportunities to get involved with Pharmacy at a local and/or national level, depending on where your interests lie. Our academy is also very open to new ideas for how we can better serve our members. Some of the benefits of joining our academy include:

• Professional development through CE programs and informal education opportunities
• Local networking to meet people and share best practices
• ASHP policy input in the House of Delegates (3 delegates for Colorado)
• Social events

2020-2021 Charges:

1. Engage members through networking events
2. Support communication through maintenance of the AHP page on the CPS website
3. Support advocacy efforts that seek to eliminate the unsafe practice of white bagging
4. Raise awareness related to DEI opportunities in pharmacy
5. Host the first Residency Conference of the Rockies
6. Partner with other CPS Academies and members to engage in community service events and educational offerings

AHP Committees 

Program & Education Committee: The Program & Education Committee shall be responsible for developing, scheduling and implementing continuing education programs and social/networking programs for the Academy’s membership. The Committee may also undertake the development of additional continuing education resources for the membership.  This committee will create opportunities for AHP to network with other academies.  

Legislative Committee:  The Legislative Committee shall be responsible for monitoring and reporting on all proposed and introduced legislation at the federal and state level which affects the practice of health-system pharmacy. The committee may also assist in lobbying efforts on behalf of the Academy at the State legislative level.  The committee will help provide relevant resources/discussion regularly pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic and for influenza.

Public & Professional Relationships Committee: The Public & Professional Relations Committee shall be responsible for developing and implementing intra- and inter- professional activities respectively directed at health-system pharmacists and other health professionals. The committee shall also be responsible for developing and implementing public relations activities directed at the general public. This committee will work to increase representation from rural or understated areas of the state of Colorado.

If you are interested in learning more about AHP or joining a committee, please contact:

Executive Team 2021-2022

• Chairman –  Jennifer Davis – [email protected]
• Chairman-Elect –Ali Singer – [email protected]
• Immediate Past Chairman  – Jeff Lalama – [email protected]
• Secretary-Treasurer – Lisa Nguyen – [email protected]
• Program & Education Committee Chair – Toral Patel - [email protected]
• Public & Professional Relations Committee – Ali Singer – [email protected]
• Nominations Committee –Jeff Lalama – [email protected]
• Legislative Committee Chair – Stacy Anderson – [email protected]

• Colorado Representatives - ASHP House of Delegates 2020-2021
• Sophomore Delegate: Tara Vlasimsky: PharmD, BCPS, BCACP ([email protected])
• Junior Delegate: Sarah Anderson, PharmD, BCPS ([email protected])
• Senior Delegate: Karen McConnell, PharmD, FCCP, BCPS-AQ Cardiology, ASH-CHC ([email protected])

Tentative 2021-22 Meeting Schedule:

• July 20, 530 pm: In Person Happy Hour!!  Sloan’s Lake Area - See calendar for details!
• August 17, 6pm: Zoom Meeting
• September  21, 6pm: Zoom Meeting
• October 19, 6pm: Pharmacy Month Happy Hour Networking - Watch for details!
• November 16, 6pm: Zoom Meeting
• December TBD: Holiday Celebration/Networking Event- TBD