MPA President Ryan Greenley outlines his 2025 priorities. (p. 3)
5 CEO Corner
CEO Mark Glasper highlights recent changes at the Association.
7 Events Calendar
Upcoming MPA and national events.
14 Membership Update
Chief Strategy Officer Bryan Freeman provides an update from the Membership department. 19 CSPM President
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utilize artificial intelligence in patient management.
LADC feature
Getting
BY RYAN GREENLEY, Pharm.D., MPA president
In October, I talked about wanting to give back to MPA for all the positive impacts it has had on me. There is no greater opportunity to give back than serving as president. So, what are my priorities to capitalize on this opportunity?
As I contemplate this question, my eagerness inspires me to set goals to improve financials, ensure sustainability, start new programs, optimize existing programs and eliminate ineffective ones. Focusing on our profession’s advancement and membership growth is also of utmost importance to me. By the end of 2025, I would like to be able to demonstrate these objectives were accomplished and recognize the benefits and values they returned.
However, as I contemplated this train of thought, I questioned if I could deliver that message. These are all good priorities and each of them should and will be worked on. As I put these goals to paper, it did not seem to fit with what MPA is at the core. MPA’s value goes far beyond a checklist of accomplishments. As such, so should my focus and initiatives during my time as president.
I previously discussed the importance of being an “influencer.” I returned to that article to help remind me of the purity behind why I chose MPA. I was reminded that at the soul of our organization, it is not the accolades that have driven our history, it is the relationships, the mentors, the connections, the ambitions, the influencers and influences of so many generations in this storied organization that has breathed life into MPA over its long history.
Presidents, staff, programs, initiatives, strategies and focuses will all change. We will continue to improve, grow and adjust. We all know the issues we face today as professionals and as a profession. We will continue to tackle these issues head on, as we have for generations. There will always be a new hurdle to clear and our priorities will adapt. We will never agree on each choice, each direction, or outcome. Frankly, I hope we never do. It is our differences that drive our discussions and therefore, ultimately, our growth.
That is why it is important if you do not agree with a
current priority, that you help to influence its change –and if you do agree, that you help to influence its execution. Regardless, please be present, be influential and be a part of our community. We need your voice, input and participation to continue to mold our organization so that whatever shape we are, it is formed through the strength of our collective involvement. It can continue to change shape, to continuously help mold the profession and support MPA’s incredibly successful journey for another 140 years.
So, what is my priority during my term? It is to support this organization that has supported so many before me and ensure it can continue to support many after me.
I hope to find ways to inspire an ambition in our members and potential members to recognize that we are more than a single moment in time measuring the value delivered today, or even in 2025. We are the culmination of generations of different values, generations of change –some positive, some negative – but all of them have brought us to where we are now. One individual, group or organization cannot have its value defined purely by a list that sits before them at any one point in time. It is the community that is created within that ultimately defines the greater value. Together we will work to adjust today to what is needed tomorrow.
My priorities for 2025 are simple. I strive to find ways to remind everyone of the incredible value that MPA brings to all of us, to our profession, to our patients and to our communities. We all experience and identify those values differently based on our own personal journeys. Regardless of how, MPA is a positive influence on all of us. Throughout 2025, please help inspire ambition and be involved in this incredible organization. Agreement with priorities should energize you to influence accomplishments. Frustration with priorities should energize you to influence adjustment. If you are happy with our direction, help keep us on that road. If you are frustrated with our direction, help us find a new path.
My priority as president in 2025 is to be here for MPA so MPA can be here for us. I hope you are here for us and with us too!
"Presidents, staff, programs, initiatives, strategies and focuses will all change. We will continue to improve, grow and adjust. We all know the issues we face today as professionals and as a profession."
Elections for the 2025 Michigan Pharmacists Association Executive Board were held last October. The president-elect and board members took office Jan. 1, 2025.
BY MARK GLASPER, chief executive officer, Michigan Pharmacists Association
Welcome to 2025 and the significant changes you will be seeing from MPA.
We all know by now the MPA Annual Convention & Exposition (ACE) is moving when and where it will be held after more than a decade in downtown Detroit during wintry February. Weather and expenses played a huge role in our decision to move ACE to April and to other locations in Michigan. So, buckle up and we will see you at ACE April 11-13, 2025, at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City!
We are also changing the look and feel of the event by transforming the annual awards banquet into a general reception for all to enjoy on Saturday evening. Awards will now be presented at various times throughout ACE such as during our general sessions. We also have NCPA CEO Doug Hoey headlining our Opening General Session as keynote speaker. Doug is an outspoken advocate for independent pharmacies and community pharmacy in general. You won’t want to miss his address.
Be sure to register for the meeting and reserve your room today at the Grand Traverse Resort. Our room block is more than 50% full, so you do not want to be left out of the resort’s beautiful hotel and tower. You also don’t want to miss the early bird deadline of Jan. 31, 2025. Register and save today!
MPA will receive funding in 2025 from the McKesson Amplify program which will support MPA’s advocacy efforts to create pathways for lasting change for independent pharmacies. The McKesson Amplify program is centered around McKesson’s core belief that the patient comes first and was created to help protect the critical pharmacy services by strengthening the voice of the industry.
Many thanks go to MPA Director of Government Affairs Eric Roath, who authored the application that resulted in the funding MPA will receive. We are excited about all of the activities MPA has planned to empower independent pharmacies through proactive legislative efforts. MPA will pursue key legislation that will focus on reimbursements for independent pharmacies and payment for pharmacist-provided clinical services.
MPA will work with our local associations to develop in-district meetings with legislators and with our three colleges of pharmacy to engage student pharmacists and faculty in directly advocating for pharmacyreimbursement legislation. Stay tuned for how you can advocate directly with your state lawmakers on the passage of this critically important legislation.
Perhaps the biggest change of all for 2025 is the closure of an asset sale agreement with PMC Advantage Insurance Services, Inc. (PMCA) in December 2024. PMCA is a whollyowned subsidiary of Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company. The move bolsters our reserves, provides ongoing revenue through marketing and leasing agreements, and broadens the exceptional insurance products and services available to members.
Most importantly, our dedicated team of insurance professionals led by Ron Devers remains intact. Give Ron a call at 517-4841468, and he can explain how PMCA will still offer the insurance products through the same insurance carriers that PSI Insurance Agency did and more. Plus, the affiliation with Pharmacists Mutual opens the door to an array of additional products and services to serve your professional and commercial insurance needs. This is definitely a win/win scenario for MPA and you!
We have also streamlined the MPA committee structure in 2025 to eliminate redundancies and allow more significant member involvement. Committees for 2025 along with their chairs, vice chairs, Executive Board liaisons, and staff liaisons include:
Chair: Dan Lobb
Vice Chair: Ashley Blanchette
Executive Board Liaison: Hanadi Thomas
Staff Liaison: Eric Roath, director of government affairs
Chair: Courtney Biehl
Vice Chair: Julie Schmidt
Executive Board Liaisons: David Miller, Steve Wallner
Staff Liaison: Bryan Freeman, chief strategy officer
Chair: Katie Wenstrom
Vice Chair: Kevin Szyskowski
Executive Board Liaisons: Keith Binion, Rebecca Maynard
Staff Liaisons: Ashley Builta, director of education & events; Farah Jalloul, chief pharmacy officer
Chair: Lindsey Clark
Vice Chair: Mirna Eshaya
Executive Board Liaison: Lisa Bade
Staff Liaison: Farah Jalloul, chief pharmacy officer
MPA events, as well as health observances, are included below. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our online calendar at MichiganPharmacists.org/events
1-31
Wednesday, Jan. 1Friday, Jan. 31 National Birth Defects Prevention Month
1-31
Wednesday, Jan. 1Friday, Jan. 31
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month Nationwide
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Thursday, Jan. 9 MSHP Committee Day In Person
Thursday, Jan. 9 MSHP Board Meeting In Person
Thursday, Jan. 16 MPA Committee Day
Monday, Jan. 20 MLK Day
Tuesday, Jan. 21 MSCP Board of Directors
Thursday, Jan. 23 CSPM Board of
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7
Saturday, Feb. 1Friday, Feb. 8 American Heart Month
Friday, Feb. 7 MSPT Board of Directors Meeting
Friday, Feb. 7
National Wear Red Day for the American Heart Association
Thursday, Feb. 20 MPF Board of Trustees Meeting
Please note: Some board and committee meetings may be subject to a change in format to virtual or in-person at the discretion of the members. Please check the online calendar or contact MPA@MichiganPharmacists.org for more information.
Saturday, Mar. 1Monday, Mar. 31
Tuesday, Mar. 11 MPA Executive Board Meeting Virtual
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21-24
Thursday, Mar. 13 MSHP Board of Directors Meeting Virtual
Thursday, Mar. 13 CSPM Board of Directors Meeting Virtual
Thursday, Mar. 20Saturday, Mar. 22 NASPA Annual Meeting Nashville
Tuesday, Jan. 28
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Friday, Mar. 21Monday, Mar. 24
APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition Nashville
Tuesday, Mar. 25 American Diabetes Association Alert Day Nationwide
Mariam Rizk joined MPA in fall 2024 as its education coordinator, a new position within the department of professional development and education. She is responsible for accrediting continuing education credits for pharmacy professionals. In this role, she ensures that educational offerings meet rigorous standards and support the ongoing professional development of MPA members. Her efforts contribute to advancing MPA’s mission to elevate public health and empower pharmacy professionals through high-quality education.
BY RICK DRABEK, executive director, Michigan Pharmacy Foundation
The Michigan Pharmacy Foundation is dedicated to advancing the pharmacy profession through education, leadership development and innovative practices that benefit the health and wellness of communities throughout Michigan. With the mission “To Foster the Future of Pharmacy,” MPF emphasizes the critical need to invest in our current and future pharmacy leaders, ensuring that the profession remains dynamic, innovative and prepared to meet the evolving health care needs of society.
Leadership is the cornerstone of any profession and pharmacy is no exception. MPF recognizes that to navigate the complexities of modern health care, we need leaders who are not only knowledgeable but also visionary, empathetic and capable of driving change. This is where the MPF Health Professional Leadership Academy comes into play. The HPLA is a competitive program designed to build future leaders of pharmacy through an intensive, self-reflective experience. Participants acquire self-awareness, become respected team managers, collaborative health care partners and influential industry leaders.
Since its inception in 2012, the HPLA has graduated more than 100 pharmacy professionals who have gone on to make significant contributions to their field. The program consists of webinars, home study and a day at the Michigan Pharmacists Association Annual Convention & Exposition. Through a combination of instructional classes, behavioral assessments, one-on-one and peer feedback mentorship and the development of a real-world individualized leadership development plan, participants gain self-awareness, strategic thinking, leadership, team-building skills and advocacy. This comprehensive approach ensures that graduates are well-equipped to lead and inspire others in their professional journeys.
The success stories of HPLA graduates are a testament to the program’s impact. Graduates like Nathan French, Pharm.D., and Sarah Kean, Pharm.D., have praised the program for its ability to foster personal growth and leadership skills that are not typically offered in traditional educational settings. These leaders are now making a difference in their respective fields, from hospital pharmacy services to clinical pharmacy specialties, demonstrating the farreaching impact of MPF’s investment in leadership development.
To continue fostering the future of pharmacy, the MPF relies on the generous support of donors and partners. We need your support to expand MPF leadership development initiatives to meet the growing demand. Additional funding is needed to sustain and grow this vital program. By contributing to the Foundation, you are investing in the leaders who will shape the future of health care. Your donations help fund scholarships, grants and leadership programs like the HPLA, ensuring that the next generation of pharmacy professionals has the resources and opportunities they need to excel.
The Michigan Pharmacy Foundation invites you to be a part of this inspiring journey. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the pharmacy profession and the health and wellness of our communities. Your financial support is not just an investment in the Foundation; it is an investment in the future of health care.
To learn more about how you can contribute and make a difference, visit the Michigan Pharmacy Foundation website and explore the various “Ways to Give.” Let’s work together to foster the future of pharmacy and inspire the leaders of tomorrow.
The Michigan Pharmacy Foundation (MPF) is proud to introduce its new officers and members of the 2025 MPF Board of Trustees. Members are elected by the board annually on a rotating basis to three-year terms. Newly-elected trustees for 2025 are Robert Hodges, Stephen Durst, Chris Wolfinger and Douglas Samojedny. John Brubabker, James Vander Linde and Amy Smendik will serve as chair, vice chair and treasurer, respectively. Returning trustees are Denise Markstrom, Andrew Nobani, Margaret "Peggy" Malovrh, Rox Gatia, Scott Huizenga, Past MPF Chair Chris Maksym and Mohannad "Mike" al-Nabolsi. MPA CEO Mark Glasper serves as secretary, while MPA President Ryan Greenley also sits on the board.
As you’re doubtlessly aware, we just had an election. That means that there are going to be some new faces at both the state and federal level. Here’s your guide to the new office holders representing the citizens of Michigan.
BY ERIC ROATH, director of government affairs, Michigan Pharmacists Association
Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, is a former national security advisor and currently serving her third congressional term representing the Lansing/Livingston County area. She serves on the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, House Veterans Affairs Committee and House Homeland Security Committee. She participated in three tours in Iraq as a militia expert. She attended Cornell University and obtained a bachelor’s in sociology and a master’s in international affairs from Columbia University. A former national security advisor under President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama, Slotkin also ran a small consulting business out of Oakland County after she left Washington D.C. during the first Trump administration.
7th Congressional District
Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, served one term in the state Senate and two terms in the state House. In the Senate, he chaired the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Military and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee and was a member of the committees on Appropriations; Energy and Technology; Families, Seniors, and Children; Insurance and Banking; Judiciary and Public Safety. Prior to serving in the state legislature, Barrett served in the U.S. Army for 22. He served in the Iraq War, Guantanamo Bay, Kuwait, the Korean DMZ and flew highly-advanced helicopters. He has a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University.
Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, is a first-term state senator and former Bay City commissioner. She originates from Portland, Michigan, and has experience as the vice president of Michigan Future, Inc., a strategic advisor to MiHIA/ THRIVE and was the CEO and president of Greater Midland Inc. In focusing on childcare affordability and educational outcomes, McDonald Rivet served as the executive director of Michigan Head Start, the chief of staff for Michigan’s Department of Education and the vice president of the Skillman Foundation. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Michigan State University and her master’s degree at the University of Michigan-Flint. McDonald Rivet resides in Bay City.
7th House District
Tonya Myers Phillips, D-Detroit, is an attorney with the Sugar Law Center and Michigan Legal Services. She works on employment policy, housing policy and fair funding for cities. She’s a part of the effort to provide a right to counsel for low-income tenants facing eviction in Detroit. The Renaissance High School graduate received her bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Michigan. She also went on to receive her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Phillips
has been honored with the Distinguished Young Lawyer Award from the Wolverine Bar Association. She was also a past recipient of the Maryann Mahaffey Public Servant of the Year Award from the United Community Housing Coalition. Phillips was appointed to serve on the City of Detroit Charter Revision Commission from 2010-2012. She serves on the Board of Directors and volunteers with several organizations, including Congress of Communities, the National Lawyers GuildDetroit, and the New Leaders Council.
Rylee Linting, R-Grosse Ile, is the youth vice chair of the Michigan Republican Party and member of the state committee. She is the Motor City field representative for Turning Point Action, a conservative organization that hosts rallies and starts clubs at universities across the country. Linting is a student at Grand Valley State University, studying political science and government. She has volunteered
for several campaigns, such as Tudor Dixon’s 2022 gubernatorial run.
Morgan Foreman, D-Ann Arbor, is the community outreach coordinator for the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Washtenaw County. Foreman also worked as a special education paraprofessional for Ypsilanti Public Schools and in the parks and recreation departments for Washtenaw County and the city of Ypsilanti. Foreman has experience as a faculty member of the National Baptist Convention. She’s also mentored girls at the Girl Scouts and volunteered for the Ann Arbor AIDS Walk. For the last several years, Foreman has been taking classes at Washtenaw Community College. She graduated from the Michigan Educational Policy Fellowship Program, the Michigan Political Leadership Program and, in 2019, she was named a NEW Leader of Color Fellow. Foreman and her husband live in
Pittsfield Township with their dog, Rosie.
34th House District
Nancy Jenkins-Arno, R-Clayton, is a Lenawee County commissioner and director of development for Hudson Area Schools. She chairs the Policy and Procedures Committee for the Commission and has been involved since 2019. Previously, she worked as a real estate title examiner and public relations assistant. A former state House member for the 57th district, Jenkins-Arno took office in 2011 and left in 2016, when she was termlimited out. In 2012, she served as assistant majority whip, and she was on the House Appropriations Committee during her time in office. Jenkins-Arno graduated from Evangel University with a bachelor’s degree in history and journalism in 1986, and earned her master’s degree in political science from the University of Toledo in 1991. She is a past board member for the soup kitchen Daily Bread and former precinct delegate.
35th House District
Jennifer Wortz, R-Quincy, is the vice chair of the Branch County Republican Party. She is also an agriculture and journalism graduate of Michigan State University who manages a chicken farm, Central Grace Farm, with her husband, Nathan Wortz, that supplies Miller Poultry. Wortz is also a district manager for the Branch Conservation District. A former Quincy School Board member, Wortz was involved in a federal lawsuit that challenged the mandatory quarantine of children who were exposed to COVID-19. She also spoke out against mandates and masking orders. She markets herself on LinkedIn as being proficient in the "classical education" model. She is a victim care officer for the Branch County Sheriff's Office and a volunteer administrative assistant for the Beginnings Care for Life Center.
40th House District
Matt Longjohn, D-Portage, is a clinical assistant professor at Western Michigan University’s Department of Family and Community Medicine. He also sits on Protect Michigan Commission, a large body of gubernatorial appointees tasked with
getting the word out about COVID-19 vaccines. Previously, he was the national health officer for the YMCA. The graduate of Portage Northern High School and Kalamazoo College received a medical degree from Tulane University in 1999 and a Masters in International Public Health from Tulane in 2003.
44th House District
Steve Frisbie, R-Battle Creek, has been a Calhoun County commissioner since 2011 and works as the vice president of LifeCare Ambulance. He is an associate at Anderson & Associates EMS Consulting and adjunct faculty at Kellogg Community College. Frisbie is on the Calhoun County Republican Committee. The Colon High School product has attended Spring Arbor University, Kellogg Community College and Davenport University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business management at The Robert B. Miller College.
50th House District
Jason Woolford, R-Howell, has been president of Mission Cry/Christian Resources International, a non-profit sending Bibles and Christian teaching tools across the globe, since 2010. Prior to his time in Michigan, where Woolford also earned his master’s degree in divinity, he was vice president of sales and marketing for two different southern California marble and granite distribution companies. A U.S. Marine, Woolford was honorably discharged. His wife, Marie, is also a U.S. Marine and Army National Guard veteran, and the pair have been married for 30 years. They have three children and five grandchildren and have lived in Michigan for 21 years.
58th House District
Ron Robinson, R-Utica, is a Utica City Council member who was encouraged by his mayor to run for the 58th House district. He owns a photography and videography business that he used to create a docuseries, Radio Day: 101 Years of Radio, and his promotional podcast. He also works as a real estate agent but spent the better part of 20 years in broadcast and radio journalism as an on-air personality and news reporter. He graduated from Utica High School in 1988, and after deciding college wasn’t for him, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps
and served from 1989 to 1995. He’s also a graduate of Specs Howard School of Media Arts. Robinson and his wife have been married since 2010.
Joseph Pavlov, R-Marysville, is a retired school teacher since 2009, teaching English, speech and drama at all age levels, mostly in the Maryville School District, where he graduated in 1967. Pavlov also taught college-level courses in prisons. Over the years, Pavlov has been involved in the Jaycees and the Knights of Columbus. He was the president of Right to Life of St. Clair County for 12 years. For 17 years, Pavlov was the director of a large outdoor volleyball tournament called “Volley-grass.”
Stephen Wooden, D-Grand Rapids, has been a Kent County commissioner since 2018. He has served as commission vice chair since 2022, where he leads the largest Democratic caucus in the history of the board. During his time on the commission, he established the Kent County Affordable Housing Revolving Loan Fund, which has grown from $17.5 million in federal COVID-relief dollars to a $58.3 million public-private partnership. Since 2017, Wooden has also worked as an affordable housing developer for the nonprofit housing corporation Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids. A Grand Rapids resident since 2005, Wooden relocated from his birthplace of New York City and went on to graduate from Grand Rapids Catholic Central in 2009. He is an Eagle Scout from Troop 271 in Grand Rapids, and a former board of directors member for the Creston Neighborhood Association.
Tim Kelly, R-Saginaw, served three terms in the state House from 2013-2018, finishing as chair of the House K-12 Appropriations Subcommittee in the 2017-18 term. He was named the 2013 Freshman of the Year by MIRS for his work in crafting a compromise to the Common Core State Standards issue after 20 hours of legislative hearings during a summer. Kelly is also the former chair of the Saginaw
County Republican Party and a former county commissioner. He previously worked in state government as former Gov. John Engler’s education policy advisor. He also worked as the special advisor to the Director of the former Department of Career Development until 2002. Kelly also served in Gov. Evan Bayh's administration in Indiana as the executive director of the Indiana Human Resources Investment Council, among other positions. Before working in the public sector, he worked in various subsidiaries and states for Bituminous Materials, his family’s asphalt business. He graduated from the University of Denver.
Parker Fairbairn, R-Allanson, is a fifthgeneration Northern Michigander. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Northwood University with a focus on automotive marketing and management. He completed an internship with Penske Automotive Group in the summer of 2019 and worked as a detailer with Fletch’s in Petoskey from June 2017 to August 2017. He received the endorsements of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and Michigan Freedom Network in 2022.
109th
Karl Bohnak, R-Marquette, was chief meteorologist at WLUC- TV Marquette from 1988 until 2021. Currently, he broadcasts part-time on both radio and television and has authored works on the history of the Upper Peninsula, such as "So Cold a Sky," "Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Almanac" and "Sunburns to Snowstorms." He’s a Milwaukee native, where he also worked as a TV meteorologist, though he started his career in Madison, Wisconsin, after graduating from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in meteorology. He said Upper Peninsula politics have always followed the trend of “peninsula over party,” but that has been lost in the last legislative session. He hopes to bring local autonomy, affordable energy and a thriving economy to Michigan.
If you have questions about these or other regulatory issues, please contact Eric Roath, MPA Director of Government Affairs, at ERoath@MichiganPharmacists.org
MANJULA JAYABALAN
CHAIR
Term Expires 2026
BRITTANY KINNEY
DIRECTOR
Term Expires 2025
JODY GEMBARSKI
DIRECTOR
Term Expires 2026
MATTHEW MCTAGGART
DIRECTOR
Term Expires 2027
DAVID BRIGHT
CHAIR
Term Expires 2025
BRITTANY STEWART
DIRECTOR
Term Expires 2025
TONINO MICHIENZI DIRECTOR
Term Expires 2027
REMA FARRAN
PRESIDENT
Term Expires 2027
ROUA DABAL
DIRECTOR
Term Expires 2025
KIM MOON DIRECTOR
Term Expires 2026
RUTH OPDYCKE
DIRECTOR
Term Expires 2027
MARK GLASPER SECRETARY
THOMAS JOSEPH
DIRECTOR Term Expires 2025
ANDREW NOBANI DIRECTOR Term Expires 2026
RANDY REGAL DIRECTOR Term Expires 2027
COURTNEY BIEHL
PRESIDENT Term Expires 2026
JEFF STEFFEY DIRECTOR Term Expires 2025
MARK SALEH DIRECTOR Term Expires 2027
MIKE NABOLSI
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Term Expires 2028
KATIE WENSTROM DIRECTOR Term Expires 2025
BROOKE ROE DIRECTOR Term Expires 2027
ARTHUR DAKESSIAN DIRECTOR Term Expires 2025
AMY ELLIS DIRECTOR Term Expires 2026
MARK GLASPER SECRETARY
ADAM KING MSPT LIAISON Term Expires 2027
STEVE ERICKSON
DIRECTOR Term Expires 2026
RODNEY SHARP DIRECTOR
Term Expires 2025
ZACK MUELLER
DIRECTOR Term Expires 2027
BEN BRINGEDAHL DIRECTOR Term Expires 2025 JOHN GROSS DIRECTOR Term Expires 2027
JENNIFER MAJESKE MSPT LIAISON
STACY BROUSSEAU PRESIDENT Term Expires 2026
TARA MCALPINE DIRECTOR Term Expires 2027
TIM EKOLA
CAPA DELEGATE Term Expires 2025
NADA FARHAT PRESIDENT-ELECT Term Expires 2027
KYLE SCHMIDT PAST-PRESDIENT Term Expires 2025
BEN PONTEFRACT
DIRECTOR Term Expires 2027
MIRANDA MAITLAND
NMSHP DELEGATE Term Expires 2025
LAMA HSAIKY
SMSHP DELEGATE Term Expires 2025
MICHELLE DEHOORNE TREASURER Term Expires 2025
JULIE SCHMIDT
DIRECTOR Term Expires 2025
JESSIE PROCIV
WMSHP DELEGATE Term Expires 2025
ED SZANDZIK EXECUTIVE VP
AMBER LANAE MARTIROSOV DIRECTOR Term Expires 2025
DENISE PROPES MSPT LIAISON Term Expires 2025
JASON PRIEST
IMMMEDIATE PAST-PRESIDENT
Term Expires 2025
KIM ELIASON
DIRECTOR
Term Expires 2027
C.J. HEISLER
PRESIDENT Term Expires 2026
CHADI ABBAS
DIRECTOR Term Expires 2027
JENNIFER MJESKE
PRESIDENT-ELECT, MSCP LIAISON
Term Expires 2027
NICHOLE MCLAUGHLIN
DIRECTOR
Term Expires 2025
MARK GLASPER SECRETARY
DENISE PROPES
DIRECTOR, MSHP LIAISON
Term Expires 2026
BECKI FLEGEL
DIRECTOR
Term Expires 2027
ADAM KING
DIRECTOR, CSPM LIAISON
Term Expires 2026
BY BRYAN FREEMAN, chief strategy officer, Michigan Pharmacists Association
Thank you for your continued support of the Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA). MPA would not have had success in 2024 without you, our members. At the end of December membership growth was slightly more than in 2023. This means MPA ended 2024 with over 2,300 members. This was accomplished through the hard work and passion of MPA members, MPA staff, MPA executive and section boards, committees, local associations and affiliated regional health-system pharmacists societies.
Pharmacists — 1,398
Pharmacy Technicians — 241
Student Pharmacists — 526
Associate Members — 37
Honorary Members — 169
Michigan Society of Community Pharmacists — 645
Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists — 520
Consultant and Specialty Pharmacists — 103
Michigan Society of Pharmacy Technicians — 228
Student Michigan Pharmacists Association — 526
This year is off to a great start with work being accomplished by MPA and the Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists marketing and membership committees. Also, during the first quarter of 2025, MPA will relaunch the member referral program, which is an exciting and rewarding way for members to grow the association and recruit more passionate and dedicated members.
While committee assignments have been made for 2025, there is still time to request an appointment to a committee this year. Please complete the MPA Member Engagement form
Thank you for your commitment to MPA, and we look forward to a successful and engaging year!
New MPA members (Oct. 1-Dec. 31)
Katy Aguilar
Matthew Albaugh
Ali Hassan Albidhani
Lana Alhashimi
Ali Altieh
Chandresh Amin
Falguni Amin
Hussein Aoun
Ali Atieh
Malgorzata Badowski
Jennifer Bailey
Nancy Barnard
Batoul Bazzi
Kimberly Beckley
Stephanie Beckner
Tasha Booker
Julie Botsford
Brandy Bouchard
Shaniyah Bridgeman
Emma Byers
Alexandra Carberry
Samantha Carmack
Gabrielle Ceruti
Rafael Chavez
Zachery Chinevere
Hailey Cholagh
Stella Clark
Cecelia Cook
Ryan Cook
Kimberly Cornett
Sebastien Cote
Christopher Cundiff
Lauren Davis
John Dawe
Ann Decker
Ali Deumah
Alyssa DiMondo
Victoria Elmore
Zeina Elroumi
Roza Esmail
Jason Evans
Osama Fadel
Gracyn Fields
Kaleigh Fisher-Grant
Natalie Gaines
Benjamin Galat
Kyrljehn Galiotte
Dennis Gates
Jessica Gayta
Annette George
Joseph Gonzalez
Chequawkia Graham
Adam Gurnoe
Noor Hadad
Zayn Hage-Hassan
Olivia Haluch
Sheila Haluda
Farah Hammoud
Celia Haueter
Jasmine Hawley
Abigail Hiler
Katelynn Holmes
Catherine Huizenga
James Hutchinson
Tamara Jubran
Katelyn Kane
Hilda kasmikha
Rasham Kaur
Sharilyn Keillor
Jake Kennedy
Kiya Knight
Chelsea Kolenda
Hadassah Krommendyk
Rachel Kuo
Jayden Lindeberg
Kevin Louwers
Debra Lundwall
Laura Maki
Mya Martinus
Ruth Maynor
Lauren McCullough
Galina Milikhiker
Jeremy Minnick
Adamaris Moreno
Sheri Mosley
Trudy Mosley
Lindsay Moss
Nicholas Mueller
Amanda Munroe
Kylie Navarro
Chau Nguyen
Ian Nordan
Perla Ochoa
Cole Orlikowski
Cynthia Ortega
Hari Palaniappan
Jennifer Park
Roberto Pasos
Katy Pedroza-Ramirez
Courtney Plas
Angel Ray
Peter Remington
Adelina Rosas
Morium Ruchi
Pierre Ruvuza
Lakricha Salinas
Salam Salloomi
Hussein Salman
Paul Schultz
Sage Senyk
Vaishali Shah
Erin Shiltz
Leka Shohatee
Emma Smith
Haley Smith
Victoria Stapleton
Tori Stewart
Ashton Strother
Cassie Sustrich
Kim Sveska
Makenzi Tallon
Richard Taylor
Aaron Thielen
David Tyburski
Alexander Usher
Regis Vaillancourt
Jacob Van Oss
Audra Weidman
Ashley Whitney
Sharmonique Witherspoon
Matthew Woods
Christine Wu
Arash Yazdi
Morena Yousif
Sara Zaky
Zachary Zawacki
Anaam Zwen
Pharm.D., clinical pharmacist, formulary services, Abarca Health; CSPM president
Describe Your Role/Day in the Life: Working in PBM, no two days are the same. Each day is a new adventure, new path forward, or new educational journey. My daily operations have included formulary management of Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace and Commercial entities; creation of cost-saving program initiatives; prior authorization review and processing; prior authorization appeal review; and attendance in state fair hearings, to name a few. I have led in the development of HEDIS measure monitoring programs for Medicare patients and population health requirements. I am passionate about cost conservation strategies and decreasing medication burden on my patients and have been fortunate enough to lead in the creation, implementation and analysis of medication conversion and adherence program initiatives for the Medicaid and Medicare populations. I have been an active participant in URAC and NCQA auditing and accreditation through preparation and onsite interviews. I have led and helped to execute several program IT builds related to patient care and medication monitoring, claims adjudication and formulary maintenance.
The past three years, however, my focus has been on patient and client relations, aiding in the creation of RFPs for potential clients, client onboarding, implementation, and contract renewal. I have gained extensive knowledge of various platforms for formulary package creation, coding and marketing material management and use these on a daily basis. I manage processes, policy and
standard work instruction creation, as well as claims testing and validation. I create specialty drug reviews for internal taskforce approval, pipeline documentation for internal and external stakeholders, and complete quarterly therapeutic class and formulary reviews for customers. These P&T review strategies aid in the creation of formulary change recommendations which were then used to create rebate strategy modelling for client review. All in all, I am a jack of all trades and have a passion to keep moving forward and learn everything I can.
Why You’re
When I first joined MPA upon entering pharmacy school I did it because faculty said it was a good idea and quite frankly, I just wanted to fit in. I figured it would allow me to better understand the world of pharmacy. As time went on, the world of pharmacy that I wanted to be a part of became a passion that drives me forward each day.
In October 2023 I found myself, like many others, without a job due to an unforeseen company closure. It took many months to find my new path in pharmacy and clouded my future outlook, dimming my passion for the thing that I loved doing. My membership to MPA and the ability to be a part of something within the pharmaceutical industry, even if it wasn’t directly, helped me to keep moving forward to achieve my goal of finding my next career adventure. Being a member, and now an acting director on the board for CSPM, keeps my passion for pharmacy alive and allows me to truly feel rewarded and blessed to be a pharmacist.
BY BROOKE PENNY,
Pharm.D., clinical pharmacist, CVS Health; MELISSA LIPARI, Pharm.D., BCACP, Henry Ford St. John Hospital, associate clinical professor, Wayne State University;
FRANCINE SALINITRI, Pharm.D., director of experiential education and clinical professor, Office of Experiential Education, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Wayne State University; and RICHARD
LUCAROTTI, Pharm.D., professor emeritus, Wayne State University
Apatient’s medical and medication history is an important tool in the diagnostic and treatment process, with most of this information being supplied by the patient. As community pharmacy practice continues to evolve and direct patient care services expand, pharmacists will increasingly require complete and accurate patient medical and medication information to provide care.1,2 Recently published studies have demonstrated that the utilization of this information in community practice has improved care through decreased re-admission rates and drug-related adverse events.3,4 Despite the growing need for pharmacists to have complete and accurate medical and medication histories to provide patient care services, there are limited studies exploring the incorporation of a standardized process for both obtaining and maintaining this information in the community pharmacy workflow.5,6
Challenges exist within community practice that limit the ability to incorporate collecting pertinent information, including workflow integration, organizational constraints, a small workforce and financial considerations.7,8 Student pharmacists could be incorporated as extenders to obtain complete and accurate medical and medication histories. Pharmacy school curricula include educating students on the standardized approach of the Pharmacist Patient Care Process and the skills necessary to perform these tasks.9,10 Students scaffold their learning through gaining practical experiences in obtaining medical and medication histories directly from patients beginning in
their first year of the Pharm.D. program, leaving students practicing in community pharmacy well-equipped to conduct this aspect of the process. Though few studies have been published in the community setting, evidence in the inpatient setting has demonstrated numerous times that student pharmacists can conduct these activities to expand services.11,12
In addition to integrating student pharmacists in the community pharmacy patient care services model, incorporating technology in the collection of medical and medication information should be adopted. The use of technology in gathering this information in ambulatory and inpatient settings is common practice and has proven to be well received by patients.13,14
To address the lack or inconsistent collection of this important information, Wayne State University’s Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, in collaboration with selected independent community pharmacies in Michigan, set out to investigate a student-integrated process. These pharmacies provided conventional pharmacy services, medication therapy management, and immunization services. To explore a student-integrated process to collect medical and medication information, student pharmacists used the WSU-developed medical and medication history (MnM) form. The MnM form includes essential elements to conduct patient care, such as demographics and past medical, surgical, social and medication history. In addition, there is a section for patients to identify any concerns about their health.
The student pharmacists utilized the collected information to provide the usual standard of care under the supervision of a community pharmacist. The impact of the MnM form on patient care, patient perceptions and general ease of completing the form is currently being evaluated. Once available, the results could be used to steer the direction of this aspect of the patient care process in community pharmacy.
As technology progresses within community pharmacy practice to utilize automation and centralized prescription filling, there will be the opportunities for additional clinical services which will require important medical information.2 Partnering with schools or colleges of pharmacy to support the integration of student pharmacists into the evolving patient care services in community practice offers an opportunity to enhance their learning and contribute to patient care.
1. Farris KB, Mitrzyk BM, Batra P, Peters J, Diez HL, Yoo A, McKay K, Friend K, Danko L, Waber R, Marshall VD, Choe HM. Linking the patient-centered medical home to community pharmacy via an innovative pharmacist care model. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2019;59(1):70-78.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.japh.2018.09.009. Epub 2018 Nov 8. PMID: 30416067.
"Challenges exist within community practice that limit the ability to incorporate collecting pertinent information, including workflow integration, organizational constraints, a small workforce and financial considerations."
2. Shaya FT, Eddington ND. Disruptive Innovation in Pharmacy: Lessons from the Amazon Frontier. JAMA Health Forum. 2020;1(1):e200038. Published 2020 Jan 23. doi:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2020.0038
3. Lapointe-Shaw L, Bell CM, Austin PC, et al. Community pharmacy medication review, death and re-admission after hospital discharge: a propensity score-matched cohort study. BMJ Qual Saf. 2020;29(1):41-51. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2019-009545
4. Lee S, Yu YM, Han E, Park MS, Lee JH, Chang MJ. Effect of Pharmacist-Led Intervention in Elderly Patients through a Comprehensive Medication Reconciliation: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Yonsei Med J. 2023;64(5):336-343. doi:10.3349/ymj.2022.0620
5. Hohmeier KC, Spivey CA, Boldin S, Moore TB, ChisholmBurns M. Implementation of a health information exchange into community pharmacy workflow. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2017;57(5):608-615. doi:10.1016/j. japh.2017.05.009
6. Rivera MD, Johnson M, Choe HM, et al. Evaluation of a Pharmacists' Patient Care Process Approach for Hypertension. Am J Prev Med. 2022;62(1):100-104. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2021.06.012
7. Latif, A. Community pharmacy Medicines Use Review: current challenges. Integrated Pharmacy Research and Practice. 2018; 7: 83–92. doi:10.2147/IPRP.S148765
8. Nadeem MF, Samanta S, Mustafa F. Is the paradigm of community pharmacy practice expected to shift due to COVID-19?. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2021;17(1):20462048. doi:10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.05.021
9. Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners. Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process. May 29, 2014. Available at: https://jcpp.net/wp-content/ uploads/2016/03/PatientCareProcess-withsupporting-organizations.pdf
10. Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners. Summary Update for JCPP: Pharmacist’s Patient Care Process Revision. June 15, 2024. Available at: https://jcpp. net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/JCPP-PatientCare-Process-Update-and-Decision-BackgroundMaterials.pdf
11. Champion HM, Loosen JA, Kennelty KA. Pharmacy Students and Pharmacy Technicians in Medication Reconciliation: A Review of the Current Literature. Journal of Pharmacy Practice. 2019;32(2):207-218. doi:10.1177/0897190017738916
12. Anderegg SV, Wilkinson ST, Couldry RJ, et al. Effects of a hospital wide pharmacy practice model change on readmission and return to emergency department rates. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2014;71(17):1469–1479.
13. Boissonnault WG, Badke MB. Collecting health history information: the accuracy of a patient self-administered questionnaire in an orthopedic outpatient setting. Phys Ther. 2005;85(6):531-543.
14. Melms, L., Schaefer, J.R., Jerrentrup, A. et al. A pilot study of patient satisfaction with a self-completed tablet-based digital questionnaire for collecting the patient’s medical history in an emergency department. BMC Health Serv Res. 2021; 21: 755. doi:10.1186/ s12913-021-06748-y
BY REMA FARRAN, Pharm.D., CSPM president
The innate nature of a pharmacist – what is engrained within us and what we all trained for several years to be – is compassionate, kind and learned individuals who project not only these characteristics toward our patients, but also go out of our way to provide the very best for their well being.
As pharmacists, we are “programmed” to put patients first and ensure that we instill, with utmost perfection, a sense of calmness and security, as well as knowledge, within every person we treat.
In recent years, artificial intelligence has become a household topic. The imaginary world of self-driving cars and robotic personal assistants is now a reality. With each passing day a new gadget is launched into market to make our lives easier and less stressed. I have been prompted several times by my computer to allow AI to assist me in writing this article. AI seems to be the cornerstone to all that we do and can be found everywhere we go.
With such technological advancements being created at such an alarming rate, this leaves us with the pressing question “what about the world of pharmacy?” How can AI and pharmacists coexist to continue to make the lives of the patients we serve better, while also providing the optimal clinical care that they deserve? Will the need of
human interaction become obsolete, or will there be a way forward that will allow pharmacists and AI to work hand-in-hand to continue moving patient care forward? I have witnessed firsthand how AI can help take over repetitive or time-consuming tasks that pharmacists currently conduct to allow them more time to focus on what truly matters: the care of their patient.
AI can be found in all types of pharmacy settings such as retail, hospital, and most recently, pharmacy benefit management (PBM). There are several ways that pharmacists can use AI to aid in patient management and implement it in the programming of cohesive patient care. Adverse drug reaction detection, dose recommendation and computerized prescriber order entry are some of the more common uses of AI technology.1 These examples use an algorithm that collects several data points about the patient’s personal history, medical history and prescriber information, allowing for a reduced risk of error and an increased ability to provide one-on-one care to a patient in need. The programming allows for several factors to be matched and reviewed to ensure the accuracy of medication prescribing and dispensing. These help in the initial establishment of a care plan by providing a summarized output of data for a pharmacist to thoroughly review to ensure accuracy.
"AI can be found
in all types of pharmacy settings such as retail, hospital, and most recently, pharmacy benefit management (PBM). There are several ways that pharmacists can use AI to aid in patient management and implement it in the programming of cohesive patient care.
Adverse
drug
reaction detection, dose recommendation and computerized
prescriber order
entry are some of the more common uses of AI technology.1"
Other uses of AI include clinical decision support systems, medication event monitoring systems and medication therapy management. These are typically implemented after a patient has been established on a care plan.1 Decision support systems allow for a more thorough projection of all the possible scenarios a patient may present with, identify and prioritize at-risk members, and provide AI decision support for possible interventions.1 Medication event monitoring and therapy management aid in determining gaps in care or bringing to light issues with compliance or adherence to medication regimens.
AI can help bridge the gap between pharmacist and physician. It can provide real-time patient updates, aid in faster outcomes for clinical decision making and bring forth alternative ways to provide patient care. With the support of AI, pharmacists are able to spend more time on decision making as it relates to patient management and more quickly begin implementing the agreed upon care plan.
AI is not without its faults. In using AI to help streamline processes, collect and analyze data, or provide clinically rational decisions for the
care of a patient, we can not become complacent. There is a liability and it remains our responsibility to ensure AI systems are reliable and accurate and that we continue to firstly rely on our education, training and humanity – not solely on the AI systems that we have created.2 These systems that we create and the programs that are applied can move pharmacy forward, as long as we continue to put humanity and the care of our patients first.
1. Chalasani SH, Syed J, Ramesh M, Patil V, Pramod Kumar TM. Artificial intelligence in the field of pharmacy practice: A literature review. Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. 2023 Oct 21;12:100346. doi: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100346. PMID: 37885437; PMCID: PMC10598710. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10598710/
1. Milenkovich, N. The Rise of AI in Pharmacy Practice Presents Benefits and Challenges. Pharmacy Times. 2023 July 31. Vol 89, Iss 7. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/ the-rise-of-ai-in-pharmacy-practice-presents-benefits-and-challenges
BY STEVEN ERICKSON, Pharm.D., associate professor of clinical pharmacy, University of Michigan
A61-year-old female who has a history of intellectual disability has been living in a group home for more than 10 years. While conducting an in-home comprehensive medication review, a pharmacist reviewed a paper copy of original prescriptions, the home medication administration record (MAR) and the actual medications and labels found in the home.
One medication presented a potential problem. During review, the pharmacist noted the patient was taking valproic acid liquid. It was noted she had been taking 500 mg valproic acid delayed release tablets every morning and 1,000 mg tablets every evening. The patient had recently developed problems swallowing the tablets, so the prescriber issued a prescription for the liquid concentration preparation of 250 mg/5 mL.
Upon inspection of the MAR and the prescription copy in the MAR, a discrepancy was noted. The prescriber wrote for the patient to take 10 mL (500 mg) in the morning but 40 mL in the evening (2,000 mg), which the resident took for several months. She recently fell at home, which resulted in a brief hospitalization. The support person at the home noted that before and after the hospitalization, the resident had been unsteady when walking. The pharmacist noted the discrepancy and called the prescriber as well as the dispensing pharmacy to inquire about the actual dose the patient should have been taking. The prescriber was
unaware of the error in dosing and immediately changed the bedtime dose to 20 mL (1,000 mg).
People with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) – like Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, epilepsy or cerebral palsy, for example – tend to have a higher prevalence of health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic constipation, urinary incontinence, obesity, seizure disorders, osteoporosis and mental illness. Some medical conditions are more commonly related to the reason for intellectual or developmental disabilities, such as hypothyroidism and dementia for people with Down syndrome.1 Because of higher burden of illness, people with IDD are subject to polypharmacy and resultant medication-related problems.
For example, hospitalizations for adults who have IDD are more likely to be associated with a medication-related problem compared to the general population.2 Multimorbidity, polypharmacy, complex medication regimens and greater prevalence of diseases that require medication therapy are risk factors for medication-related problems that are more common in this population.3 People with IDD often rely on a support network consisting of family, friends and direct support staff to assist them in managing their medications, all of which have varying levels of knowledge, training and experience with medication management. Inappropriate prescribing is also a problem for people who have IDD.
Psychotropic medication, as an example, is an important intervention for mental illness and some challenging behaviors, but research has demonstrated concern on the over-reliance on medication versus more holistic approaches of examining the person’s living environment and level of community participation, as well as assessing physical-health related reasons for behavior or mood changes.4
In other instances, people with IDD and chronic conditions may not be receiving or taking guideline-directed therapy. For example, a study using pharmacy and medical claims data showed that people with IDD and either heart failure or cardiovascular heart disease were less likely to receive guideline-directed medications compared to persons without IDD but with either cardiovascular diagnosis. Caregivers also have an important input into the safe and effective use of medication by people with IDD. One study found that a family caregiver’s beliefs and attitudes about concern and necessity of medications was directly associated with adherence to asthma controller medication taken by people with IDD and asthma.5
Not only is having an adequately-trained caregiver important, but it takes a team to ensure safe and effective use of medications by older people and those with disabilities living in the community. The profession of pharmacy has experience in long-term care. At least once per month, as mandated by CMS, a licensed pharmacist must perform a drug regimen review (DRR) for each resident. The pharmacist must report any irregularities to the attending physician or director of nursing. Consultant pharmacists provide other vital services such as developing policies and procedures for medication administration and disposal and performing in-service training activities for facility staff related to medication administration and other aspects of medication therapy.
Similar to the long-term care setting, persons with IDD living in the community setting such as group homes often receive medications and pharmacy services from contracted pharmacies. The medication management system implemented by the homes and pharmacy look similar to that of long-term care, with pharmacies supplying medication in a 30-day supply bundled in various types of bulk dispensing packages; patient-specific medication administration records; medication administration equipment such as oral syringes and more. Pharmacists are available to answer questions and even
conduct training of staff about the medication management system.
One service that is missing is the consistent presence of a consultant pharmacist in the home. Rarely does the pharmacy conduct comprehensive medication reviews in the home. Conducting in-home comprehensive medication reviews for adults with IDD is feasible and identifies medication-related problems that may otherwise go unnoticed.
For example, a recent study where a pharmacist conducted an in-home CMR for 15 persons with IDD who took five or more medications identified 36 medication-related problems. The most common issues were a medication that was being taken with no indication for its use (seven occurrences) and identification of an untreated medical problem (seven). Other problems included wrong dose (five); patient or caregiver indicated the medication was not working (four); wrong dosage form was being used or given (three); duplication of therapy (two); pharmacy error (two); extended release medications were being crushed before administration (two); and wrong administration time, drug ordered but not given, drug-disease potential interaction and poor drug administration technique (one for each). The interventions included sending information letters to the group home manager containing information to be discussed with the patient’s physician or telephone calls made directly to the prescriber or pharmacy.
The interventions made to prescribers included three calls to physicians to discuss five medication-related problems and three calls for pharmacy-related medication-related problems, all of which were accepted.6
This sounds great, but who has the time to do this and what reimbursement is there for conducting these sorts of interventions? Adults who have IDD, whether living with family members or in a supported living setting such as a group home or adult foster care, primarily have Medicaid or are dual eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. Starting in 2017 in Michigan, MTM activity is reimbursed through Medicaid when provided by qualified, licensed pharmacists to recipients taking a prescription drug to treat or prevent one or more chronic conditions as identified in the list of chronic conditions for medication therapy management eligibility. Pharmacies that provide contracted pharmacy services, community pharmacies serving individual patients who have IDD or consultant
pharmacists contracting with pharmacies, all may be able to provide MTM to people who have IDD living in the community.
A recent survey of 10 pharmacies providing medications and services to residents of group homes found that most attempted to complete MTM using platforms such as Outcomes to identify Medicare Part D recipients in their patient panel at the pharmacy. Most mentioned that this was not done on a consistent basis, but rather when extra help was available, primarily with pharmacy interns or students. Barriers to completing MTM included lack of time, substandard reimbursement for the amount of work, conducting over the telephone – which was not optimal for most patients with IDD –and lack of caregiver interest or understanding of MTM process.
In-home medication reviews may be beneficial in that the pharmacist can review the environment and social context in which the patient manages their medications. It also allows the pharmacist an opportunity to talk with caregivers who may be assisting in managing the patient’s medications. Inhome assessment with a person such as the patient or support staff, who is engaged in the medication management process, is valuable to identify in-home problems such as storage, administration, stockpiling and documentation errors. The question is whether the process –using a pharmacist traveling to and from patients’ homes – is financially sustainable. With technology available today, real-time in-home reviews could be conducted with the pharmacist remotely. Alternatively, a pharmacy technician may be able to travel to the home, facilitating a remote review and examining in-home health records.
It’s time for the profession to get serious about the medication-related issues that people with IDD face. Advocacy for adequate reimbursement and funded mandates to increase pharmacist oversight is certainly warranted.
References available upon request.
FRIDAY, APR. 11 – SUNDAY, APR. 13
FRIDAY, APR. 11 – SUNDAY, APR. 13
BY ASHLEY BUILTA, Pharm.D., MPA director of professional development and education
I went up to the beautiful Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in October to walk the hotel space and get an idea of the layout of the rooms for the upcoming Annual Convention & Exposition. I am thrilled to report that this is such an easy space to navigate!
The main sessions will be on the main lobby floor of the hotel, down a hallway to the left of the hotel check-in space. We’ll have a wellness space outside the ballroom in continuation of the wellness space concept from the 2024 MSHP Annual Meeting.
The breakout sessions are all on the same lower level and all grouped together, which can be accessed by staircase or elevator (no escalators involved!). A short walk from the breakout session area will take you to the exhibit hall, registration and poster presentation space.
Did I mention how nice the hotel rooms are? Whether you're in the hotel — which has been thoroughly modernized – or the newer Tower, you can’t go wrong. My favorite view was from the Tower Bay View room, so I recommend booking one of those rooms if it’s in your budget!
There is a fantastic lineup of sessions this year. MPA received a grant from the Pharmacy Compounding Foundation to bring in Scott Brunner on Saturday afternoon to speak on shortage drug compounding and marketing best practices.
We are particularly excited about our two keynote speakers this year. On Friday, we welcome National Community Pharmacists Association CEO Doug Hoey. Hoey is a licensed pharmacist in Oklahoma, Virginia and Texas and has practiced in a variety of community pharmacy settings, including his own family’s pharmacy before moving to NCPA. Hoey was NCPA’s first chief operating officer and in 2011 was named CEO. He is an industry expert on community pharmacy practice issues, including drug supply and prescription drug pricing.
Katie Kurtz will headline our Saturday general session. Kurtz is a traumainformed care subject matter expert. She specializes in adapting the evidence and strengths-based trauma-informed care approach to train and consult social impact leaders and companies across six continents. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and gender studies from the University of Dayton and a masters in social work and certificate in non-profit management from Case Western Reserve University. Kurtz also serves as an adjunct professor in social work at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland State University.
MPA has overhauled several aspects of the convention for this year as well. Gone is the traditional awards banquet on Saturday; this year, it will be replaced by the President’s Reception, a completely free event that is intended to be more inclusive to all our members. MPA will present its Executive Board Service awards and its Pharmacist of the Year award during the reception. In addition, MPA will present its other yearly awards during the general sessions Friday and Saturday, so stay tuned for speciifics!
We’re hoping the change of venue will be a breath of fresh Northern Michigan air as we rethink the spaces we meet in.
Adopt-a-Student is expanding!
The beloved MPF Adopt-a-Student program is evolving in response to the re-imagining of Saturday night.
New this year, you will have the option to cover the entire registration for a student pharmacist, making it free for them to attend! Other networking opportunities will be provided to connect adopted students with their "adopted parents". Don't miss adding that on to your registration!
THURSDAY, APR. 10
3:30-6:30 p.m. — Exhibitor Move in and Registration
FRIDAY, APR. 11
8-9:30 a.m. — Four Concurrent Breakout Sessions
• Perceptions in Pediatric Pain Management: Update for Pharmacists and Technicians | Speaker: Victoria Tutag Lehr
• DOAC Do’s and Don’ts | Speakers: Maureen Smythe, Claudia Hanni and Ekaterina Pechenko
• Diabetes Care for Pharmacy Technicians | Speaker: TBD
• Immunomodulatory Medications and the Risk for Infection | Speaker: Dean Van Loo
9:45-11:15 a.m. — Four Concurrent Breakout Sessions
• No Harm, No Foul? A look at Safety, Law and Ethics | Speakers: Brooke Roe and Charlie Mollien
• In My Population Health Era: The GLP-1 battle of Diabetes and Obesity | Speakers: Tiffany Jenkins, Julie Earby and Abigail Johnson
• Improving H. Pylori Management Through Pharmacist Intervention | Speakers: Christina Smith and Rachel Kollmeyer
• Community Pharmacies as Sentinel Surveillance Sites for Respiratory Pathogens | Speakers: Michael Klepser and Marty Soehnlen
1-3 p.m. — ACE Welcome and OPENING KEYNOTE
• Speaker: Doug Hoey, NCPA CEO
3:15-4:45 p.m. — Four Concurrent Breakout Sessions
• Perks and Pitfalls of Non-Opioid Pain Strategies | Speaker: Rebecca Rudaski Nelson
• Primary Care Potpourri: Everything the Ambulatory Care Pharmacist Needs to Know | Speakers: Hannah Ferrari, Amber Lanae Martirosov and Alison Lobkovich
• Disorganized: Management of Adult ADHD | Speaker: Jill Covyeou
• Are They Worth It? OTC and Mabs for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease | Speaker: Mary Beth O'Connell
SATURDAY, APR. 12
8:30-10 a.m. — Four Concurrent Breakout Sessions
• New Drug Update 2025 | Speakers: Katie Wenstrom and Preston Taylor
• 2023 AFib Guidelines: The Pharmacist's Playbook | Speaker: Renee Koski
• Pain and the Patient: How Empathy Can Improve Pain and the Profession | Speakers: Sheila Wilhelm and Sean McConachie
• The Weight of It All: An Update and Review on Medications for Obesity | Speaker: Anne Ottney
10:15-11:45 a.m. — KEYNOTE
• Speaker: Katie Kurtz
2-3:30 p.m. — NASPA Self-Care Competition
4-5:30 p.m. — Four Concurrent Breakout Sessions
• Shortage Drug Compounding and Marketing Best Practices — Made possible by a grant from the Pharmacy Compounding Foundation | Speaker: Scott Brunner
• Immunization Update 2025 | Speaker: Joe Fava
• Community Pharmacy Clinical Services: Management and Motivation | Speakers: Lisa Bade and David Bright
• Language Services in the Community Pharmacy Setting | Speaker: Beatriz Manzor Mitrzyk
SUNDAY, APR. 13
8-9:30 a.m. — Four Concurrent Breakout Sessions
• Identifying Advocacy Priorities Across Pharmacy | Speaker: Amy Thompson, Karen Farris and Krystal Sheerer
• Resilience in Action: Overcoming an Extended System Downtime | Speakers: Rachel Guggemos, Jacqueline McDonnell and Ryan Bickel
• Ethics and Jurisprudence presentation | Speaker: Kim Sveska
• Preventing & Slowing Progression of CKD: A Pharmacy-Focused Evaluation of the 2024 KDIGO CKD Clinical Practice Guideline | Speaker: Dane Shiltz
9:45-11:15 a.m. — Four Concurrent Breakout Sessions
• Cardiology Update: The Need to Know from New Guidelines & Literature | Speaker: Shelby Kelsh
• Pharmacogenomics in Practice: Strategies for Implementation and Growth | Speaker: Amy Pasternak
• Comprehensive Medication Review - The Road to a Better Hospital Discharge | Speaker: Tonino Michienzi
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare: Will AI Replace Pharmacists?! | Speaker: Travis MacFarlane
9:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. — House of Delegates
BY FARAH JALLOUL, Pharm.D., MBA, director of professional development, Michigan Pharmacists Association; and ZEINAB DABAJA, P4 student, Wayne State University
1. Understand the health impacts and underlying mechanisms of nicotine addiction.
2. Identify and counsel on both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications for smoking cessation.
3. Develop tailored smoking cessation plans for patients using pharmacologic and behavioral approaches.
4. Explain the role of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and non-nicotine-based medications in quitting smoking.
5. Recognize the importance of patient follow-up and support to ensure the success of smoking cessation efforts.
Smoking remains a significant public health challenge, responsible for millions of deaths worldwide each year. It is one of the leading causes of preventable illnesses contributing to a wide range of chronic diseases, including heart disease, various cancers, respiratory illnesses and stroke. In the United States alone, cigarette smoking is responsible for over 480,000 deaths annually, accounting for nearly one in five deaths. Beyond the devastating health impacts, smoking incurs billions of dollars in healthcare costs and lost productivity. Even though public health efforts have made significant strides in reducing smoking rates, millions of people still face the difficult challenge of quitting.
Pharmacists, as one of the most accessible and trusted healthcare professionals, are uniquely positioned to play a pivotal role in smoking cessation efforts. By combining their clinical expertise with personalized patient care, pharmacists can guide individuals through the complex journey of quitting smoking. From understanding the science of nicotine addiction to tailoring behavioral and pharmacologic interventions, pharmacists are wellequipped to provide the support and tools necessary to help patients succeed.
This article explores the critical role of pharmacists in smoking cessation, focusing on the health impacts of smoking, the mechanisms of nicotine addiction, and evidence-based strategies to assist patients. By empowering pharmacists with knowledge and practical approaches, we can amplify their ability to drive meaningful change, reduce smoking-related illnesses, and improve public health outcomes.
Over the past 50 years, the risk of dying from cigarette smoking has increased in the U.S. Smoking is the leading cause of approximately 90% of all lung cancer deaths, with more women dying from lung cancer each year than from breast cancer. Additionally, smoking causes about 80% of all deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and significantly raises the risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions. The dangers of cigarette smoking are not limited to smokers alone; it also poses
serious health risks to those exposed to secondhand smoke. Non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke face an increased risk of respiratory infections and lung cancer. Smoking, therefore, increases the risk of death from all causes in both men and women while also endangering the health of those around them.
Smoking not only affects individual health but also places a substantial burden on the healthcare system. The treatment of smoking-related illnesses, such as cancer, COPD, and cardiovascular diseases, results in billions of dollars in healthcare costs each year. Moreover, the loss of productivity due to smokingrelated disabilities and premature deaths adds to the economic impact. By promoting smoking cessation, pharmacists can play a crucial role in reducing these costs and improving overall public health outcomes. The benefits of quitting smoking extend far beyond the individual smoker. Smoking cessation can lead to significant reductions in the incidence of smoking-related diseases, thereby decreasing healthcare expenditures and improving population health. Furthermore, the reduction in exposure to secondhand smoke benefits non-smokers, particularly vulnerable populations such as children and those with pre-existing health conditions. Pharmacists, through effective counseling and prescribing of cessation aids, can help patients achieve these benefits, contributing to a healthier society and a more sustainable healthcare system.
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Smoking and Tobacco Use: Fast Facts. Accessed January 2, 2025. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/ fast_facts/index.htm
2. U.S. Depar tment of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Health Consequences of Smoking—50 Years of Progress: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2014. Available at: https://www. surgeongeneral.gov/library/reports/50-years-of-progress/
BY BETHANY
LATHAM, Pharm. D, RYT 200, and WMPA director
Number of years as MPA Member and number of years with Local: I’ve been a member of MPA on and off since I was attending Ferris State University College of Pharmacy beginning in 2011 and joined WMPA earlier this year.
When was your Local formed? Our local association started in the late 1950’s or early 1960’s. I’ve been told that they changed the name to WMPA in 1972.
How did you learn about your Local Association? I attended the ACE in February and wanted to be more involved at both the local and state level, so I looked up my local association.
Where and when does your Local hold meetings? Our Board of Directors meets most frequently at Hobo's Tavern in Muskegon, but we rotate locations periodically. We typically host a summer social event and a holiday dinner meeting in January at a local restaurant.
Why do you feel it is valuable to support and join a Local Association? How has it benefitted you? Although I’ve only recently started my involvement with a local association, the welcome I immediately received was wonderful. The networking opportunities, the like-mindedness of other professionals in different areas of pharmacy and stages of their careers, and the chance to become more involved beyond just working at my job has already felt worthwhile. It has benefited me to get to know other pharmacists and technicians in the area and have a connection to the larger state association, all working to advance the profession of pharmacy.
Do you have a favorite event or memory related to your Local? I am a recent addition to WMPA’s board of directors, but I love hearing about some of the events held in the past. I was told about how WMPA used to hold a shrimp boil during the summer and also would invite local legislators. The local association leaders would cook the meal, and it was served family style. This is just one example of the type of events I’ve heard about that were previously held and I’m looking forward to opportunities to be involved with future events.
Please list any upcoming events (Continuing Education, Membership recruitment or social events): We had a meeting in December to discuss a holiday event after the first of the year – we are thinking of meeting in Muskegon at the Socibowl. We also recently held a joint board meeting with KCPA in November to collaborate, exchange ideas and brainstorm potential local association activities. As we work together more in the future, we hope to share more upcoming events!
Who is a good contact at your Local for further information and questions? Neal Miller, WMPA chair – pillbox81.nm@gmail.com, Stacey Uganski, WMPA secretary – uganski@gmail.com, Bill Overkamp, WMPA treasurer – bill_overkamp@att.net, Dianne Malburg, WMPA director – dianneemalburg@gmail. com, Bethany Latham, WMPA director – bethanyalatham@yahoo.com, and Renee Dudek, WMPA director –radiodudek95@gmail.com.
Kent County Pharmacists Association
Jan. 17 – KCPA - Holiday Party, 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Dave and Buster's 3660 28th St. SE, Kentwood
Jan. 21 – KCPA board meeting
Feb. 18 – KCPA board meeting
March 18 – KCPA board meeting
Oakland County Pharmacists Association
Jan. 9 – OCPA board meeting
Feb. 13 – OCPA board meeting
March 13 – OCPA board meeting
Macomb County Pharmacists Association
Jan. 16 – MCPA board meeting
Feb. 20 – MCPA board meeting
March 20 – MCPA board meeting
Wayne County Pharmacists Association
Jan. 21 – WCPA board meeting
Feb. 18 – WCPA board meeting
March 18 – WCPA board meeting
Contact your local association:
Capital Area Pharmacists Association: capapharm@gmail.com; website: capapharm.org
Genesee County Pharmacists Association: geneseepharmacists@gmail.com; website: geneseepharmacists.org
Great Lakes Bay Pharmacy Association: greatlakesbaypharmacy@gmail.com; website: sites.google.com/a/glbpa. com/great-lakes-bay-pharmacy-association/home
Jackson Area Pharmacists Association: Kyle Kronemeyer, president, kylerph@comcast.net
Kent County Pharmacists Association: kcpapharmacists@gmail.com
Macomb County Pharmacists Association: mcpa586@gmail.com
MPA Upper Peninsula Division: Abigail Fenton, president, afenton20212@gmail.com
Oakland County Pharmacists Association: Rony Foumia, chair, rony.foumia@ascension.org
Southwest Michigan Pharmacists Association: William Urfer, chair/information officer, weu123@aol.com; website: swmpa.org
Wayne County Pharmacists Association: waynepharmacists@gmail.com
Western Michigan Pharmacists Association: Neal Miller, chair, pillbox81.nm@gmail.com
BY TRENTON THIEDE, Pharm.D., MBA,
president, PAAS National®, expert third-party audit assistance and FWA/HIPAA compliance
As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, all Medicare prescription drug plans (Medicare Part D plans) – including both standalone Medicare prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage (MA) plans with prescription drug coverage — will be required to offer the Medicare Prescription Payment Plans (MPPP or M3P). This option allows patients to manage their copays and deductibles evenly throughout the year, benefiting those facing high drug costs early in the year. While participation is optional, enrolled patients will have a $0 copay at the pharmacy and will receive a monthly bill from their Part D or Advantage Plan, which features 0% interest and no fees. Patients can choose to enroll or opt out of the program at any time. Enrollment can be completed via phone, mail, or website of their selected Medicare Plan Sponsor. However, if patients fail to pay their bill by the end of the grace period (typically 60 days), they may be automatically opted out. It’s important to note that pharmacies are not responsible for enrolling patients or collecting payments on an M3P bill (nor are pharmacies able to enroll patients).
Starting Jan. 1, 2025, if a prescription copay for a Medicare beneficiary exceeds $600, Plan Sponsors (via CMS directive) will require the pharmacy to provide the patient with the standard “Likely to Benefit” Notice1 (CMS Form 10882). The notification to issue this notice will be sent as an online adjudication response Approved Message Code 056 from the PBM, indicating that the patient is “likely to benefit” from the M3P. Since the patient needs to contact the plan to enroll, it won’t happen real time at the pharmacy counter. If the patient wants to opt in prior to picking up the prescriptions, they will need to return to the pharmacy at a later time once they have successfully enrolled. Once enrolled, all unsold prescriptions should be reversed and reprocessed to the Part D/MA plan, any secondary payor and then the M3P (i.e., the date of service should be the same for the Part D claim, any secondary payor [when applicable] and the M3P transaction). Prescriptions that were sold before opting in does not need to be submitted to the M3P processor, as the patient has already paid the copay.
If the patient has already opted in but does not have their M3P plan information, pharmacies can retrieve the necessary processing details by adjudicating a claim and checking for Approval Message Code 057. CMS mandates that all PCNs for M3P begin with “MPPP”. Paid claim responses will include M3P processing details in the “Coordination of Benefits/Other Payors” segment of the claim information. Note the M3P processing information will not be found in the E1 eligibility response.
• Maximum out-of-pocket costs for all Part D plans is now $2,000
• The M3P plan will only cover Medicare Part D eligible drugs
• Reimbursement to the pharmacy is the same 14-day timeframe
• Make sure that the “Likely to Benefit” Notice1 (CMS Form 10882) is being handed out every time there is an Approved Message Code 056
o LTC pharmacies are not exempt from distribution, although they may do so in the usual billing cycle
• Pharmacies should be prepared for onsite auditors to ask for the form and the pharmacy’s policy for distributing.
o PAAS FWA/HIPAA compliance members have an update to their Policy and Procedure manual pushed out at the end of the year to reflect a new policy
• If a prescription is not picked up, pharmacies must reverse both the Part D and M3P claims
References:
1. https://www.cms.gov/medicare/regulations-guidance/legislation/paperwork-reduction-act-1995/pra-listing/cms-10882
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