Leadership Program

  • Meet the Class of 2009-2010
  • Press Release (PDF-252 KB)
  • Program Description
  • Program Goals
  • Program Structure
  • Curriculum Content
  • Continuing Pharmacy Education Credit
  • Partners and Contributors

Program Description

In our current dynamic and stressed healthcare system, increasing opportunities exist for pharmacists and pharmacies to broaden access to essential health services, particularly around reproductive and sexual health. Pharmacy Forward is the nation’s first leadership training program designed to engage pharmacists nationally on public health, women’s health and reproductive health issues as well as support their roles as advocates.

Developed by Pharmacy Access Partnership, in collaboration with the University of California, San Francisco Pharmacist Leadership Institute, Pharmacy Forward seeks to empower more pharmacists to champion emerging reproductive health advances designed to improve overall health, including pharmacist prescribed hormonal contraception, STI testing and treatment, male contraception, HPV prevention, EC access and pharmacy school curriculum education and reform.

Program fellows will be exposed to tools and strategies to help them lead or support innovative programs and policies and leverage media and research opportunities. The program also seeks to increase recognition and appreciation for pharmacists as valued members of the healthcare team. 

Program Goals

Pharmacy Forward fellows will: 

  1. Develop a clear leadership philosophy along with greater capabilities and confidence to engage in the reproductive health field.
  2. Improve problem solving, conflict management, communications and group process skills to enhance individual effectiveness.
  3. Practice effective advocacy skills to successfully lead or support reproductive health policy and program efforts.
  4. Understand the political and health systems environment in which both pharmacy and reproductive health operate.
  5. Develop an increased sense of community and connection to the reproductive health community.

Program Structure

Pharmacy Forward is a one year program, starting September 2009, that includes:

  • Live CE training: 2-1/2 day training (October 2-4, 2009) delivering didactic, interactive, hands-on curriculum including personal development inventories. This program is eligible for 17 hours of ACPE credit.
  • Networking: Participation in Reproductive Health 2009 clinical conference (Sept. 30 – Oct 3, 2009) for industry professionals hosted by the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals, Planned Parenthood® Federation of America National Medical Committee, and the Society of Family Planning. Provides up to 14.5 hours of ACPE credit. Complimentary annual membership to the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals is also included.
  • Ongoing learning and community support: 3-5 webinars or online trainings on cutting edge issues selected by each participant from a menu of options; 2-3 conference calls throughout the year for interactive dialogue and support.
  • Individual development planning: Participants will create a development plan, setting short and long term goals.
  • Mentorship: Participants will be paired with a program faculty mentor. 
  • Alumni network: An alumni network will be established for continued networking and community building.

Curriculum Content

Pharmacy Forward offers a didactic, interactive, hands-on curriculum facilitated by expert faculty members to develop effective leadership and advocacy competencies among pharmacist participants to bring more focus to issues of reproductive health. Curriculum includes personal development inventories; understanding the clinical and political landscape of reproductive health and justice, emerging issues and opportunities for pharmacists; data interpretation and policy analysis; communication and presentation skills; media training with on-camera practice; conflict management; networking; coalition building; setting and tracking individual measurable goals.

Continuing Pharmacy Education Credit

Pharmacy Forward offers ample continuing pharmacy education credit opportunities, and is eligible for 20 hours of ACPE credit. Please see the final CPE announcement for specific details. Reproductive Health 2009 clinical conference also offers pharmacists up to 14.5 hours of ACPE credit.

Partners and Contributors

Pharmacy Forward has been shaped by the strategic input, partnerships and contributions of so many stakeholders. We are grateful our Circle of Advisors as well as our multi-disciplinary steering committee including: Jill E. Adams, J.D. Executive Director, Law Students for Reproductive Justice; Kathy Besinque, Pharm.D., Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacy, USC School of Pharmacy; Juana Rosa Cavero, Communications Specialist, Pacific Institute for Women’s Health; Don Downing, R.Ph. Clinical Professor University of Washington School of Pharmacy; Mia Herndon, Executive Director, Third Wave Foundation; Katie McCall, Volunteer Director, Women’s Community Clinic; Belle Taylor-McGhee, President and CEO, Pacific Institute for Women’s Health; Beth Mertz, Program Director, Pharmacy Leadership Institute, University of California, San Francisco; Dana B. Nelson, Pharm.D., Pharmacist Owner, Health Plus Pharmacy, Inc.; Sally Rafie, PharmD, Pharmacy Practice Resident, Acute Care Department of Pharmacy, UCSD Medical Center; Ronald Ruggiero, Pharm.D., Pharmacy Consultant; and Lois Uttley, Director, MergerWatch Project.

We also appreciate the support of the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals. Thanks also to Jennifer McIntosh, PharmD, MHS, Assistant Clinical Professor Northeastern University; Shareen El-Ibiary, Pharm.D., Associate Clinical Professor, Midwestern University College of Pharmacy-Glendale, Carlie Steen, Director of Public Policy and Community Organizing and Mayra J. Ferreira, Vice President, Education, Research and Training at Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health for their valuable insights.

And, special thanks to the National Community Pharmacists Association, Journal of the American Pharmacists Association and Pharmacy Times for their in-kind assistance with program promotion.

Pharmacy Forward is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors including the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

Applications for 2010-2010 will be available Spring 2010

For questions, more information, or to receive notice of the next application cycle contact:
Sharon Landau, Director, Pharmacy Access Partnership at slandau@piwh.org