ACCP mourns the loss of Peter H. Vlasses, Pharm.D., DSc (Hon.), FCCP, who passed away August 1, 2026. Dr Vlasses was a founding member of the College, serving as a member of the first Board of Regents and as ACCP’s third President. He received B.S. and Pharm.D. degrees from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and completed post-graduate residency training at Jefferson Hospital.

Dr Vlasses was one of clinical pharmacy’s pioneers in research and clinical education. As a clinical scientist, he published important papers on the use of ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, statins, erythropoietin, and other pharmacotherapeutic agents. An outspoken advocate for clinical pharmacy, he spearheaded efforts that codified FDA policy to accept Doctors of Pharmacy as primary investigators of studies of investigational drugs. This paved the way for many clinical pharmacists who have subsequently served as principal investigators on clinical pharmacology studies and clinical trials of investigational agents.

On the heels of a successful research and academic career, Dr Vlasses joined the Accreditation Council on Pharmacy Education, serving as ACPE Executive Director for more than 20 years prior to his retirement in 2019. He received many professional honors and awards including the ACCP Elenbaas Service Award and the Russell R. Miller Award; and the American Pharmacists Association Remington Honor Medal, the most prestigious award in American pharmacy.

At press time, a funeral service is planned with more information forthcoming. Memorial gifts honoring Dr Vlasses’s legacy of research and education may be directed online or by check. Checks should be payable to the ACCP Foundation, noting "Vlasses Memorial" on the memo line, and mailed to 13000 W. 87th St. Pkwy, Suite 100, Lenexa, KS 66215.