February 11, 2025
Jo Ellen Rodgers, Pharm.D., FCCP, FHFSA, FAHA, BCCP, BCPS
Moving Mountains with Gratitude, Unity, and Service
Recent attendance at the Council on Credentialing in Pharmacy (CCP) and Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners (JCPP) meetings inspired me to reflect on our profession’s journey—what we’ve achieved and what lies ahead. These meetings featured speakers who’ve “moved mountains” to implement pharmacist compensation across diverse settings, from health systems to community pharmacies.
Of note, emphasis on who was around the table, not as invited speakers but as routine attendees at CCP and JCPP meetings, is warranted because it was an impressive lineup. Founded in 1999, CCP is now a coalition of 13 national pharmacy organizations committed to providing leadership, guidance, public information, and coordination for credentialing programs in or relevant to pharmacy. JCPP also comprises 13 organizations but was established in 1977 to serve as a forum on matters of common interest and concern to national organizations of pharmacy practitioners and invited liaison members. Given their related but unique missions, CCP and JCPP member organizations (in addition to ACCP) overlap considerably:
- Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP),
- Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE),
- American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP),
- American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP),
- American Pharmacists Association (APhA),
- American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP),
- American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), and
- National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
Topics at the CCP and JCPP meetings ranged widely—MTM versus CMM, credentialing versus certification—and introduced me to new payment acronyms like WAC (wholesale acquisition cost), MAC (maximum allowable cost), and SMAC (state Medicaid agency contract). I learned a lot from the speakers and was inspired by all they have accomplished. Highlights included:
- Troy Trygstad, RPh, PhD, Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network (CPESN): Insights on scaling and sustaining pharmacist services. Listen here
- Amanda Brummel, Pharm.D., BCACP (Fairview Health Services): Building financial infrastructure for comprehensive medication management.
- Salina Wong, Pharm.D. (Blue Shield of California): Ensuring equitable, affordable medication access. Read more
- Erika Bower, Pharm.D., BCACP (UCare Minnesota): Aligning health plans for standardized, flexible pharmacist services.
- Brent Talley, Pharm.D. (Hayes Barton Pharmacy): Experiences as an independent pharmacy owner navigating community pharmacy challenges. Read and listen here
- Jasmine Perry Strayhorn, Pharm.D., CPHQ (Blue Cross NC): Partnering with community pharmacies to expand care access. Read and listen here
Special recognition goes to Todd Sorensen (University of Minnesota), past recipient of ACCP’s C. Edwin Webb Professional Advocacy Award, who masterfully facilitated discussions over 2 days.
Connecting the session’s themes with our own ACCP initiatives, I was reassured we are offering an impactful service with ACCP’s Academy on Billing and Contracting for Outpatient Clinical Pharmacy Services—Read here.
At the end of the 2 days, I was overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude and unity, and I was eager to identify additional opportunities for ACCP to best serve in support of these ongoing efforts.
Gratitude
Hearing these stories, I reflected on my gratefulness—both personal and professional. I am especially thankful for those who paved the way for opportunities I have been privileged to experience.
Early in my career, I jumped at the chance to work on a cardiology floor, joining my colleague Debbie Montague, who had been managing the service solo. Over the next decade—what I call my PGY3-PGY13 years—Debbie mentored me with wisdom, skill, and a coach’s dedication. Her earned trust with the health care team had laid the groundwork for me to engage in a level of clinical practice I had never dreamt of, and these opportunities provided me with tremendous professional fulfillment.
Beyond Debbie, I am inspired by countless clinical pharmacists and pharmacy administrators whose vision and effort have expanded our scope of practice. Their passion fuels my own, and I am deeply grateful for their contributions to our profession.
As for our CCP and JCPP speakers, we are so fortunate to have these pioneers investing their time and talent to advance our profession. It is with this sense of gratitude that I am reminded to remain humble, rely on a purpose greater than myself, and bring a spirit of service to both my personal and professional life.
Unity
In speaking with others attending the CCP/JCPP meetings, it was inspiring to see diverse stakeholders—organizational leaders, providers, payers, and more—unite to advance our profession. Despite the complexity and challenges of a fragmented health care system, there was a shared commitment to improving access to pharmacist services.
Although I tend to be optimistic, I recognize the significant work ahead. We must align on the “what,” “who,” and “where” of pharmacist services, particularly amid ongoing payment reform uncertainties. Even so, the sense of unity around a common mission reaffirmed my belief in our profession’s potential and motivated me to act.
Service
With both gratitude and unity fueling my drive to serve, I am eager to work in partnership with other pharmacists and pharmacy organizations. Our profession must continue collaborating across sectors to meet the needs of an evolving health care landscape. Many successes shared at CCP and JCPP began as local initiatives, highlighting the power of grassroots efforts.
As ACCP members, we can contribute in numerous ways—from engaging policymakers (see links to several opportunities in my column last month here) to supporting local initiatives within our state or region and at our affiliated pharmacy schools. The speakers’ stories reminded me that with faith and persistence, we can overcome obstacles and achieve meaningful change.
Faith does not move mountains, but it does empower us to tackle challenges—one step and one act of service at a time. I am hopeful you will join me in putting faith into action.