Aligning Aspirations with Inspirations: Address of the 2015-2016 President to the Opening General Session at the AACP Annual Meeting
Colleagues. Welcome to the 2016 AACP Annual Meeting. We have literally gone coast to coast since we last met in Maryland in 2015. It has been quite a remarkable year for the Association. My goal is to provide perspective on our work over the past year, and I will have a little time at the second general session for a lighter reflection on lessons learned and expressions of appreciation. There are four primary opportunities at the Annual Meeting to hear about the major initiatives of the Association including this address, the President-elect's address and the Treasurer's report at the first House of Delegates, and the CEO's report at the second House session. I encourage you to attend both House of Delegates sessions. At National Harbor in 2015, I had explained my focus on "Capitalizing on Foundations in Citizenship." (1) I almost took past president Cindy Raehl's approach to create no new charges, but instead decided to focus on timely, foundational areas for AACP. By capitalizing, we are building long-term assets, and we gain by turning pharmacy education into an advantage as we prepare pharmacists and scholars for the future, leveraging all our stakeholders. Our AACP foundation stands on our values, principles, and collective enterprise. We support our new proposed mission to advance pharmacy education, research, scholarship, practice and service, in partnership with members and stakeholders, to improve health for all. I think of citizenship in the broadest manner. A citizen is a member of a community. We may be citizens of our country, but we are also citizens of our schools, our profession, and our organizations. A citizen belongs and is vested with privileges and duties. We are called to action where we live, work, volunteer, and vote especially this election year. Here is a recent example of AACP citizenship. Last fall, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) announced its commitment to address opioid abuse and heroin use. AACP needed a specific statement of educational policy to support our communications with ONDCP. AACP staff developed three statements of commitment with comments from the Pharmacy Practice Section and the Substance Abuse Education and Assistance and Public Health Special Interest Groups. The AACP Board of Directors took the unusual step to approve the policy in February, with a vote at the upcoming House of Delegates as required in the bylaws. AACP is taking an active role in supporting this initiative with approximately 100 schools/colleges and counting stepping up for the local efforts. We capitalized on our network, supported by the work of volunteers and partners, to engage as citizens in our communities. On the screens you will see a photo from opioid response training at my school in May where I was certified along with many students. I care about this because I remain convinced that my husband John, a Navy veteran with disabilities, died from an untended opioid overdose as he sought help and care through Veterans Affairs and local providers. It looks like disaster training, because it is. And we need to be prepared. One of my favorite memories of my presidential year was the Standing Committees and Board of Directors meetings last November in Toronto. We were in Canada because Toronto is recruiting AACP for a future annual meeting. After reviewing the lists of AACP committee volunteers and working extensively with staff on assignments and letters of acceptance, I was delighted to see the talented, enthusiastic committee members in person as they began their important work. As I rotated among the meeting rooms, I knew their dedication would pay dividends to AACP. President-elect Joseph DiPiro and the Strategic Planning Committee have met the challenge to draft a bold and aspirational strategic plan which will be voted upon by the House of Delegates at its second session. The committee also created a refined mission and vision to guide and inspire us. …