Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion, against injustice and lying and greed. If you [and others all over the world] will do this . . ., you will change the earth.

–William Faulkner

Your thoughts, opinions, and feelings are essential to our progress as both an organization and a profession. “Let your voice be heard” is more than a phrase—it’s a call to action. In an era where challenges are increasingly complex, your voice can make a difference. Speaking up empowers others, strengthens our collective efforts, and fosters a more inclusive and collaborative community.

YESTERDAY: Voices Heard at April Town Hall

Last month, I was deeply encouraged by the engagement at the second ACCP Town Hall of 2025. Many members connected to this Zoom session and contributed to a meaningful and thoughtful discussion. These town halls were created to ensure timely dialogue between ACCP leadership and its members—and this session exemplified that spirit. The topics discussed included:

• Concerns about a second revision to the Oath of the Pharmacist with modified language related to DEIA
• Advocacy efforts by ACCP with congressional bodies such as:
  • House Committee on Energy and Commerce
  • Senate Committee on Finance
  • Congressional GOP Doctors Caucus
• Advocacy activities within the ACCP Practice and Research Networks (PRNs)

At the close of the event, I shared how inspired I was by the open and respectful dialogue. It felt like a family dinner with a mix of heartfelt sharing, constructive feedback, and even some laughter. I hope every attendee felt both heard and valued.

TOMORROW: We Need Your Input—2025-2026 Committee Charges

About this time last year, I was reading every single comment from our annual Committee, Task Force, and Strategic Issues Survey. Your input helped shape the 2024-2025 Committee and Task Force charges and future Board of Regents meeting agendas. Now, it’s time to do it again. If you’ve not yet done so, please complete the 2026 survey by Friday, May 16. Your responses will:

• Inform ACCP’s 2025-2026 Committee and Task Force priorities
• Contribute to the College’s long-term strategic planning
• Guide the development of initiatives in clinical practice, education, and research

In late June, we’ll follow up with a volunteer invitation to serve on 2026 committees and task forces. Even if you’re unsure about serving on a committee or task force next year, your ideas are still essential. If you do express interest in volunteering, know that your comments will again be reviewed line-by-line to ensure alignment between your interests and experience and the assigned work of the committee.

HEREAFTER: Get Involved Now—Events and Leadership Opportunities

NASEM Workshop on Pharmacy Innovations

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) invites pharmacy professionals to a special hybrid workshop, “Innovations in Pharmacy Training and Practice to Advance Patient Care,” on May 29 and 30. This timely event, co-sponsored by ACCP, will address:

• Diversifying the pharmacy workforce
• Rethinking pharmacists’ roles in health care systems
• Solutions to workforce shortages and declining enrollment in pharmacy schools

Virtual attendance is encouraged (in-person registration is full). Click here to register or add to your calendar.

Developing ACCP Future Leaders

Are you ready to grow as a leader within ACCP and the broader profession? The ACCP Professional Leadership Development (APLD) program offers an outstanding opportunity to gain leadership experience and mentorship. The APLD curriculum includes:

• Leadership foundations and self-discovery
• ACCP governance and structure
• Leadership of teams and management of change
• Collaboration with staff and volunteers

This program is open to associate and full members who have held ACCP or workplace leadership roles and seek future service, including elected office or appointed positions. Applications are due June 1. Don’t miss this chance to lead with purpose.

RAISE YOUR VOICE WITH HOPE

As we navigate the dynamic environment of health care, it’s imperative to reaffirm our commitment to advancing human health through the continuous evolution of clinical pharmacy. Our dedication to science, evidence-based practice, and cutting-edge education empowers clinical pharmacists to make meaningful impacts. Health transcends political affiliations and borders; thus, we must remain steadfast in our mission to expand clinical pharmacy and improve health outcomes for all.

Let me share a recent development that highlights the critical role of our voices in shaping the future. In early 2025, Congress introduced the Healthy Technology Act of 2025 (H.R. 238), a bill proposing that artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies could qualify as practitioners eligible to prescribe medications, provided they receive FDA approval and state authorization.

This legislative move has sparked a robust debate within the health care community. Proponents argue that AI could enhance efficiency, reduce medication errors, and alleviate clinician burnout. However, critics express concerns about the potential loss of human judgment in medical decision-making, data privacy risks, and the ethical implications of AI-driven prescriptions.

This situation serves as a poignant analogy for our profession. Just as integrating AI into prescribing practices necessitates careful oversight, ethical considerations, active participation, and vigilance, so too does advancing health care through the evolution of clinical pharmacy. We must ensure that technological advances complement, rather than replace, the invaluable human elements of empathy, critical thinking, and personalized care that clinical pharmacists provide. Two recent ACCP commentaries explore related issues. The 2024 Clinical Practice Affairs Committee explored the role of AI in clinical pharmacy practice, focusing on how AI can enhance medication safety, operations, and precision medicine (see Forecasting the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Clinical Pharmacy Practice). Along the same lines, the 2024 Research Affairs Committee addressed how AI can enhance research and help generate hypotheses (see Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Clinical Pharmacy Scholarship and Research), including potential benefits/opportunities together with the limitations/challenges of AI on (1) developing research questions, study design, and execution; (2) analyzing and reporting data; and (3) disseminating clinical pharmacy research.

The discourse surrounding H.R. 238 underscores the importance of our collective voice in guiding the responsible integration of technology into health care. By engaging in these conversations, contributing our expertise, and advocating for patient-centered approaches, we can help shape policies that uphold the integrity and efficacy of clinical pharmacy.

As we face our evolving health care environment, let’s recommit to our shared mission: advancing clinical pharmacy, improving human health, and delivering evidence-based education and care. Our work knows no political boundaries or borders—it unites us all in service of a healthier world. Let’s continue to speak up—for patients, science, and the future of our profession. Your voice matters—today, tomorrow, and beyond. As Martin Luther King Jr noted, Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.