ACE 2023

The Most Entertaining And Educational MPA Event Of The Year

BY LISA N. POWERS, CAE, CTA, director of education and events, Michigan Pharmacists Association

The Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) held its 39th Annual Convention and Exposition (ACE), back fully in-person from Feb. 24-26. With an almost all-new crew at MPA, this year’s ACE had a buzz of excitement from the start. From planning educational sessions, to meeting the pharmacy profession’s current needs, to increasing opportunities for students and vendors, the continuous positive feedback received from attendees was warmly welcomed and appreciated!

The convention began Feb. 24 with a full morning of education programming, followed by the Pharmacy Political Action Committee (PAC) Panel and Luncheon sponsored by Walgreens and Hometown Pharmacy. Once again, MPA offered product theater luncheons, where select sponsors were able to visit with attendees during a provided lunch event where they could showcase their new products and services. This year’s product theater sessions were hosted by Lilly, Sanofi, Merck and Heron Therapeutics.

The afternoon featured the opening keynote session with National Association of Boards of Pharmacy Executive Director Al Carter and immediate past Chair of the Board of Pharmacy Charlie Mollien. This engaging and interactive “fireside chat” generated numerous questions from participants and was the highlight for many attendees. More education sessions rounded out the afternoon, along with the Exhibit Hall grand opening and reception.

The second day began with a continental breakfast. Educational programming resumed at 8:30 a.m., with offerings including law and ethics initiatives, medication therapy management (MTM) and more. The morning’s keynote session consisted of a heavy-hitting legislative panel comprised of national pharmacy leaders and advocates from all sections of pharmacy:

• Ilisa Bernstein, Pharm.D., J.D., FAPhA, interim CEO for the American Pharmacists Association

• Anne Cassity, J.D., vice president, federal and state government affairs for the National Community Pharmacists Association

• Tom Kraus, J.D., MHS, vice president of government relations for the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

• Bill Tighe, vice president, federal government affairs for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores

Our distinguished panelists spoke on major legislative topics facing the industry, both locally and nationally, in 2023 and beyond. Lunch was served in the exhibit hall for attendees that did not elect to attend a practice section luncheon, again offering more facetime with vendors. Those who purchased advance tickets to a practice section luncheon were able to witness and applaud as practice section board members recognized award winners, including pharmacists of the year. The practice section lunches serve as the annual meetings for the Michigan Society of Pharmacy Technicians (MSPT), the Consultant and Specialty Pharmacists of Michigan (CSPM) and the Michigan Society of Community Pharmacists (MSCP). Because the Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists’ (MSHP) annual meeting takes place each October, the MSHP leadership networking luncheon for student pharmacists provided student MPA members with the opportunity to meet health-system pharmacy leaders and discuss professional practice issues, career options and personal stories.

The National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA)-Nonprescription Medicines Academy (NMA) Student Pharmacist Self-Care Championship was held Saturday afternoon, where three student pharmacists from each college of pharmacy participated in a three-round "Jeopardy!"-style competition showcasing their extensive overthe-counter knowledge. The winning team from Ferris State University has bragging rights for the year! Additionally, the Michigan Pharmacy Foundation (MPF) Student Scholarship Program recipients were honored. This year’s MPF Adopt-a-Student Program was busier than ever. Sponsors (or “parents”) selected a student pharmacist from an “adoption” catalogue. Students and sponsors alike find this endeavor to be particularly rewarding and a way to “grow within” the industry or “support the future of” the industry. Participation at the sponsor level of a contribution of $145 to the MPF includes a Saturday evening awards banquet ticket for their student to attend the dinner program with them. There were reserved seats at the banquet for those in the program.

Awards Recognition

The Saturday evening MPA Awards Ceremony and Banquet was once again held in the Ambassador Ballroom. Those in attendance participated in a lively cocktail reception, a delightful dinner and a cheer-filled awards ceremony. MPA recognized several worthy awardees, including our 25-, 40- and 50-year members with the Years of Membership Awards; our Pharmacy Hall of Honor inductees; as well as our elected boards, leaders and fellows for their service. MPA also honored scholarship recipients, noted practice section awardees, the MPA Pharmacist of the Year and other honorable awardees. Congratulations to those who were recognized.