On Friday, April 24, 2009, three ACCP Academy courses will be offered as premeeting symposia before the 2009 ACCP/ESCP International Congress on Clinical Pharmacy. These courses were developed as part of the ACCP Academy Certificate Programs in Leadership and Management, Research and Scholarship Development, and Teaching and Learning. You do not have to be enrolled in the ACCP Academy to participate in these professional development courses.

For those desiring additional background in organizational behavior theory, management principles, and the fundamental concepts of leadership, the all-day Leadership Primer is the course for you. This foundational course is the required, prerequisite course for all Academy Leadership and Management Program participants. Designed to help participants develop practical skills, this course will offer guidance for different leadership roles in a variety of environments. For more information, including learning objectives, visit http://www.accp.com/academy/leadershipAndManagement.aspx.

Meeting attendees wishing to expand their repertoire of skills for successful teaching will benefit from the half-day symposium, Assessing Student Learning. This course is the third required component for Academy Teaching and Learning Certificate Program enrollees. Course participants will develop assessment-as-learning strategies for enhancing student learning in both didactic and clinical settings, as well as design a course focused on ability-based educational principles and strategies. More information on Teaching and Learning courses is available at http://www.accp.com/academy/teachingAndLearning.aspx.

The Research Primer is an all-day course designed to provide participants with an introduction to fundamental research concepts. Faculty will discuss working within research teams, scientific writing, developing a research question, and other practical aspects of the research process. This course is the required prerequisite for enrollees in the Academy Research and Scholarship Certificate Program and is designed to culminate in the development of a longitudinal research project idea. To learn more about this course, as well as other offerings in the Academy’s Research and Scholarship curriculum, visit http://www.accp.com/academy/researchAndScholarship.aspx.

Seating is limited for premeeting symposia, so register early to reserve your spot in these highly interactive courses. To view the complete International Congress meeting agenda, including programs in ACCP’s Updates in Therapeutics: The Pharmacotherapy Preparatory Course and programs in PPAG’s International Pediatric Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacology Symposium, visit www.accp.com/congress. Meeting registration and hotel reservations can be completed online as well. Start planning your trip to Orlando now and be a part of this exciting international event!