Clinical Pearl: Network
“Networking is a great way to learn about pharmacy, possibly gain a mentor, and establish relationships that may help down the road…”
Carrie A. Sincak, Pharm.D., BCPS
Associate Professor and Vice Chair
Department of Pharmacy Practice
Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy
Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP)
The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) is a professional association of individual pharmacists who use the tools and techniques of managed care in the practice of pharmacy. At the heart of every member is commitment to a simple goal: provision of the best available pharmaceutical care for patients. As an organization, AMCP strives to achieve its mission of empowering its members to serve society by providing opportunities for continued professional growth and advancing individual and collective knowledge. Throughout the year, AMCP provides conferences, online learning access, and peer-reviewed literature and leadership development seminars. Each program is designed to advance professional knowledge, improve the design and delivery of pharmacy benefits, and, ultimately, improve patient satisfaction and health outcomes.
American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS)
The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) is an organization of all scientists dedicated to the discovery, development, and manufacture of pharmaceutical products and therapies through advances in science and technology. AAPS provides a dynamic international forum for the exchange of knowledge among scientists to enhance their contributions to health. This organization offers timely scientific programs, ongoing education, opportunities for networking, and professional development.
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) is an organization committed to education and scholarship for improving drug therapy. The Association will strengthen its mission of promoting professional and graduate education through the effective use of policy, information, advocacy, and programming.
AACP strives to be a source of creative energy for members as they seek excellence in accomplishing their missions of teaching, scholarship, and service. As faculty of colleges and schools of pharmacy analyze changes in (1) the profession of pharmacy and the delivery of health care; (2) societal demands on higher education; and (3) support for research in the sciences fundamental to pharmacy, AACP will be an important catalyst for creative ideas and practical strategies for advancing pharmaceutical education to better meet the requirements of students, employers, and society.
American College of Chest Physicians
The College is the leading resource for improvement in cardiopulmonary health and critical care worldwide. In addition, the College’s mission is to promote the prevention and treatment of diseases of the chest through leadership, education, research, and communication.
American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)
The American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) exists to advance human health and quality of life by helping pharmacists expand the frontiers of their practice and research. ACCP will pursue its core purpose by:
- Providing leadership, education, advocacy, and other resources that enable pharmacists to achieve excellence in clinical practice and research;
- Advancing pharmacotherapy through support and promotion of research, training, and educational programs; and
- Disseminating peer-reviewed, innovative scientific and professional information and knowledge that catalyze change and advance drug therapy.
American Heart Association (AHA)
The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is: "Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke."
The Association's impact goal is to reduce coronary heart disease, stroke, and risk by 25% by 2010. Progress toward the goal will be measured according to these indicators:
- Reduce the death rate from coronary heart disease and stroke by 25%.
- Reduce the prevalence of smoking, high blood cholesterol, and physical inactivity by 25%.
- Reduce the rate of uncontrolled high blood pressure by 25%.
- Eliminate the growth of obesity and diabetes.
American Pharmacists Association (APhA):
Founded in 1852, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) was the first national professional society of pharmacists. Originally, APhA was called the American Pharmaceutical Association. APhA is the largest association of pharmacists in the United States, with a membership of more than 60,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and others interested in advancing the profession.
American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP):
The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) is the international professional association that provides leadership, education, advocacy, and resources to advance the practice of consultant and senior care pharmacy. ASCP envisions a future in which:
- The senior population realizes improved quality of care and quality of life through the provision of pharmaceutical care.
- Consultant and senior care pharmacists are essential professionals in health care systems and are recognized and valued for their care of patients.
- ASCP is the acknowledged leader in consultant and senior care pharmacy practice.
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP):
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) is a 35,000-member national professional association that represents pharmacists who practice in hospitals, health maintenance organizations, long-term care facilities, home care, and other components of health care systems. ASHP seeks to advance and support the professional practice of pharmacists in hospitals and health systems and serve as their collective voice on issues related to medication use and public health.
Board of Pharmacy Specialties:
The Task Force on Specialties in Pharmacy organized the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) in 1976 as an independent certification agency of APhA.
BPS has four primary responsibilities:
- Identifies and recognizes critical specialty practice areas;
- Sets standards for the certification and recertification of pharmacy specialists;
- Objectively evaluates individuals seeking certification and recertification; and
- Serves as the information resource and coordinating agency for pharmacy specialties.
The overriding concern of BPS is to ensure that the public receives the level of pharmacy services that will improve a patient’s quality of life. Currently, BPS recognizes five specialty practice areas: Nuclear Pharmacy, Nutrition Support Pharmacy, Oncology Pharmacy, Pharmacotherapy, and Psychiatric Pharmacy.
College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP)
The mission of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP) is to promote excellence in pharmacy practice, education, and research to optimize the treatment outcomes of individuals affected by psychiatric and neurologic disorders by:
- Facilitating the dissemination of information regarding psychiatric and neurologic pharmacotherapy, patient care, and community support
- Facilitating educational programs
- Improving care for patients
- Advancing the quality of research
- Promoting and supporting certification within the psychiatry and neurology specialty
Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA):
A professional organization dedicated to supporting hematology/oncology pharmacy practitioners in optimizing the care of patients with cancer.
To reduce the burden of cancer on society and promote optimal, cost-effective care for people affected by cancer, HOPA will:
- Provide educational activities through its scientific conferences, Web site, newsletter, written communications (e.g., educational monographs, treatment standards, guidelines), and clinical training programs (residencies, fellowships, and traineeships) for oncology pharmacists and other health care professionals who care for patients with cancer. Through these educational initiatives, HOPA members will be able to incorporate contemporary and best practices into cancer care, maximizing patient benefits while minimizing suffering and costs due to possible medication errors and adverse effects.
Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO):
The goal of the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) is to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations.
National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS):
Founded in 1933, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) works to provide the chain drug industry a unified voice necessary for growth and success. NACDS is still dedicated to its original vision: representing the nation's leading retail chain pharmacies and suppliers.
National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA):
The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) represents the pharmacist owners, managers, and employees from more than 23,000 independent community pharmacies across the United States. The nation's independent pharmacies, independent pharmacy franchises, and independent chains dispense nearly half of the nation's retail prescription medicines.
Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group:
The Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group is an international, nonprofit, professional association representing the interests of pediatric pharmacists and their patients. We are dedicated to improving medication therapy in children. Our sole purpose is to promote safe and effective medication use in children through communication, education, and research.
Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM):
The mission of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) is to secure the highest-quality care for all critically ill and injured patients. SCCM envisions a world in which all critically ill and injured persons receive care from integrated teams of dedicated experts directed by trained and present intensivist physicians.
Multiprofessional teams use knowledge, technology, and compassion to provide timely, safe, effective, and efficient patient-centered care.
Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP):
The Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP) is a dynamic association of health professionals dedicated to promoting the appropriate use of antimicrobials. SIDP provides education, advocacy, and leadership in all aspects of the treatment of infectious diseases. SIDP is composed of pharmacists and other health care professionals involved in patient care, research, teaching, drug development, and governmental regulation who are concerned with all facets of antimicrobial use and committed to excellence in infectious diseases pharmacotherapy.