Michigan Pharmacist – July/August/September 2026

MICHIGAN T H E O F F I C I A L J O U R N A L O F T H E M I C H I G A N P H A R M A C I S T S A S S O C I AT I O N

STEVEN WALLNER

MARIA YOUNG

2026 PRESIDENT-ELECT CANDIDATES

PRESIDENT'S PLATFORM

2026 July/Aug./Sept. | Vol. 64, Issue 3

President Kelly on how to best tell pharmacy's story. (p. 3)

FROM THE FOUNDATION MPF scholarships help foster the future of pharmacy. (p. 12)

MichiganPharmacists.org

MSHP FOCUS

Implementing a dalbavancin care model at Munson Medical Center. (p. 19)

IN THIS ISSUE ADVOCACY

CE HOMESTUDY

ON THE COVER

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28

4 C EO Corner

6 Events Calendar

7 Student Focus

8 C E Calendar

18 MSHP President

29 Local Association Page

MPA CEO Mark Glasper highlights the work of PTCB.

pcoming CE opportunities U from MPA.

Upcoming MPA and national events.

MSHP President Nada Farhat on pharmacists being 'Stronger Together.'

Standard of care model seeks to fill the gap between pharmacists' training and permitted practice.

A look at what MPA's local associations have been up to.

CEO: Mark Glasper; EDITOR: Ryan Weiss Michigan Pharmacist (ISSN 1081-6089) is the official journal of the Michigan Pharmacists Association, published four times a year at 408 Kalamazoo Plaza, Lansing, MI 48933. Publication Number: USPS-345-600.

Phone: (517) 484-1466, Fax: (517) 484-4893 Website: MichiganPharmacists.org, E-mail: MPA@MichiganPharmacists.org, Advertising Information: Visit MichiganPharmacists.org/news-publications/advertising-opportunities

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All opinions expressed in Michigan Pharmacist are not necessarily official positions or policies of the Association. Publication of an advertisement does not represent an endorsement. Michigan Pharmacist is subject to the standards established by the Association. Michigan Pharmacist is distributed as a regular membership service, paid for through allocation of membership dues. © Michigan Pharmacists Association, 2026

— PRESIDENT’S PLATFORM —

IF WE DON’T TELL PHARMACY’S STORY,

SOMEONE ELSE WILL E

very pharmacist has encountered it: the patient who is frustrated, overwhelmed and exhausted by the healthcare system. Sometimes the frustration is directed at insurance, wait times, costs, prior authorizations, or a system that feels increasingly impersonal. Often, however, what patients are truly seeking is someone willing to listen.

As pharmacists, we are among the most accessible healthcare professionals in our

BY MICHELLE KELLY, communities. Yet despite the critical role Pharm.D., MPA president; we play in patient care, the public narrative associate professor, surrounding pharmacy often focuses on Ferris State University prescriptions, transactions and metrics rather than relationships, trust and clinical expertise. If we want the future of pharmacy to remain strong, we must reclaim the narrative of who pharmacists are and the value we bring to patient care every single day.

We advocate. We educate. We problem-solve. These moments happen every day in practice settings across Michigan.

Unfortunately, those stories are not always the ones the public sees online or hears in broader conversations about healthcare. Too often, pharmacy is portrayed through negativity, burnout, or misconceptions about our role. While the challenges facing our profession are very real and deserve attention, we cannot allow those challenges to become the only or loudest story being told.

As a profession, we must become more intentional about recognizing excellence and sharing success stories. Across Michigan, pharmacists, technicians, preceptors, residents, faculty, researchers and students are making extraordinary contributions every day. MPA has several awards dedicated to recognizing achievements of individuals and teams in our profession. Please consider submitting an award nomination by Aug. 15 so MPA can celebrate the achievements in our state.

These accomplishments matter – not only because our members deserve recognition, but because they help tell the full story of pharmacy.

I was reminded of this recently while working at a community pharmacy when a patient asked where she could find a liquid liver cleanse. I could have simply answered “we don’t have any of that – sorry.” Instead, I left the pharmacy counter and went into the aisle with her to ask more questions and try to figure out the reason she was looking for that product and see if there was something else that would work.

Positivity and pride in the profession are also critical for recruitment and retention. Future pharmacists are watching how we speak about our profession and deciding on career paths by listening to our conversations. When we highlight mentorship, innovation, patient impact, leadership and service, we remind others and ourselves why this profession matters.

In those 10 minutes or so, I learned more about her health and situation. I asked questions, listened, educated and helped her come up with some initial steps to better manage what was going on. She shared frustrations about providers not listening to her concerns and challenges being seen. She had an appointment in the next week, so I encouraged her to write down questions to ask her doctor and to put together a list of prioritized concerns to ensure she was heard during the appointment. I also informed her it may take a couple of appointments and labs or testing to solve some of these problems, and to set realistic expectations.

Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have. A patient who finally felt heard. Pharmacists leading change in their community.

Technicians who go above and beyond for patients every day.

Preceptors who inspire confidence in the next generation.

What this patient really needed was someone to listen to her – even though I could not directly fix the problems.

That interaction reinforced something many of us already know: pharmacists do far more than dispense medications.

These are stories that strengthen morale, build professional pride and inspire future pharmacists to see what is possible. Make sure to recognize those around you and share these stories with legislators, future pharmacists and others outside of pharmacy.

Every interaction with a patient is an opportunity to reinforce trust in our profession. Every success story shared isn’t “tooting our own horn,” but it is an opportunity to shape the future narrative of pharmacy.

If we do not tell pharmacy’s story, someone else will, and no one can tell it better than the pharmacists living it every day.

“If we want the future of pharmacy to remain strong, we must reclaim the narrative of who pharmacists are and the value we bring to patient care every single day.”

2026 July/Aug./Sept. | Vol. 64, Issue 3

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— CEO CORNER —

PTCB ADVANCES

PHARMACY TECHNICIANS THROUGH CERTIFICATION

BY MARK GLASPER, chief executive officer, Michigan Pharmacists Association

I am honored to be currently serving the first year of a two-year term as chair of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Board of Governors. The board recently convened in early June at the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) headquarters in the Chicago suburb of Mount Prospect, Illinois, which included American Pharmacists Association CEO Michael Hogue, National Community Pharmacists Association CEO Doug Hoey, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists CEO Sam Calabrese, NABP Executive Director Al Carter, Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists (ICHP) Executive Vice President Chris Crank, and PTCB Executive Director and CEO William Schimmel and his professional staff.

I need to thank my predecessor, Larry Wagenknecht, for starting PTCB more than 30 years ago with his peer from ICHP. As one of the founding organizations of PTCB, MPA has a permanent seat on the PTCB Board of Governors.

As chair, I have the unique privilege of guiding an organization which now boasts a $17 million annual budget and a remote staff of 28 talented professionals.

Since its founding, PTCB has continued to update and develop credentials that reflect current best practices in patient care.

Its commitment to excellence has made PTCB’s programs the most widely-accepted credentials for pharmacy technicians across the nation. At last count, PTCB has granted 876,858 CPhT certifications and 2,616 CPhT-Adv certifications.

Evolving with a Changing Pharmacy Landscape One of our greatest responsibilities as a board is to look ahead. Pharmacy does not stand still, and neither can PTCB. Pharmacy technicians are taking on increasingly sophisticated roles and it’s incumbent upon PTCB to help educate the growing pharmacy technician workforce.

Recognizing this evolution, PTCB has expanded its credentialing framework beyond the foundational Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) designation. Advanced certifications such as the Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT) and the CPhT-Adv reflect a broader vision: one in which pharmacy technicians are empowered to grow, specialize and lead within their field.

Certification is more than a credential – it is an opportunity. For many technicians, earning PTCB certification is the first step toward a stable and rewarding career in pharmacy. For others, it is a validation of years of experience and a gateway to new responsibilities.

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— CEO CORNER —

“Pharmacy technicians are taking on increasingly sophisticated roles and it’s incumbent upon PTCB to help educate the growing pharmacy technician workforce.”

MPA CEO Mark Glasper, left, chaired the PTCB Board of Governors meeting in June.

Glasper is serving a two-year term as board chair.

Honoring Pharmacy Technicians A highlight of my service on the PTCB Board of Governors came in 2025 during the organization’s budgeting process for 2026. The Board of Governors voted to fund in perpetuity Pharmacy Technician of the Year Awards for each of the board’s organizations. PTCB will also work with state pharmacy associations to honor pharmacy technicians through its State Associate Program.

Since 2004, MPA has recognized a Pharmacy Technician of the Year through MSPT, but now it has a financial reward tied to the honor. The annual MSPT Service Award will also benefit from the PTCB financial support.

MPA CEO Mark Glasper meets up with MPA’s friends from PTCB at the APhA Annual Exposition, including, from left, Senior Director of Professional Affairs Ryan Burke, Executive Director and & CEO Bill Schimmel, Chief Professional Officer Liza Chapman, Professional Affairs Manager Verdina Frazier-Gladden and Director of Professional Affairs and Director of PTEC Zach Green.

I am happy to report that the first recipients of these financial rewards were honored at the MSPT luncheon during the MPA Annual Convention & Exposition in Lansing. Anthony Codrean received the Pharmacy Technician of the Year Award, while Keith Binion took home the Service Award.

Congratulations to each!

Looking Ahead with Purpose PTCB doesn’t just certify individuals – it is shaping a profession. And in doing so, PTCB is building career tracks for pharmacy technicians who will add value to the greater healthcare system and be more responsive to the needs of patients.

It is an honor to serve in my role as chair. Together, with our partners across the pharmacy community, PTCB will continue to elevate the pharmacy technician profession and ensure it remains a cornerstone of quality patient care.

MSPT was able to present its first awards to carry a monetary value at the 2026 Annual Convention & Exposition in Lansing in April. Anthony Codrean, second from right, received the MSPT Pharmacy Technician of the Year Award ($2,500) and Keith Binion, second from left, received the MSPT Service Award ($1,000). The awards were presented

by MPA CEO Mark Glasper, left, and PTCB Senior Director of Professional Affairs Ryan Burke, right.

2026 July/Aug./Sept. | Vol. 64, Issue 3

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— EVENTS CALENDAR —

EVENTS CALENDAR

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.

JULY 2026

4 6 7

8-22 23

Saturday, July 4

Independence Day Nationwide

AUGUST 2026

1-31

Monday, July 6

Independence Day (observed) MPA office closed

Tuesday, July 7

MPA President-Elect Town Hall Virtual

Wednesday, July 8Wednesday, July 22

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MPA Elections Virtual via email

Thursday, July 23

CSPM Board of Directors Meeting Virtual

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Saturday, Aug. 1Monday, Aug. 31

National Immunization Awareness Month Nationwide

Friday, Aug. 7

MSPT Board of Directors Meeting Virtual

Wednesday, Aug. 12

Outpatient Antimicrobial Stewardship Innovations Symposium (OASIS) Noon-4:30 p.m.

25 Michigan St. NE, Suite 7000, Grand Rapids

Thursday, Aug. 20

MPF Board of Trustees Meeting Virtual

Please note: Some board and committee meetings may be subject to 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.

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SEPTEMBER 2026

1-30 2 7 10

15 17 20 22 24 25

Tuesday, Sept. 1Wednesday, Sept. 30

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Nationwide

Wednesday, Sept. 2

MPA Law & Policy Symposium Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown, Grand Rapids

Monday, Sept. 7 Labor Day MPA office closed

Thursday, Sept. 10

MSHP Retreat and Board of Directors Meeting MPA Headquarters, Lansing

Tuesday, Sept. 15

MPA Executive Board Meeting MPA Headquarters, Lansing

Thursday, Sept. 17

World Patient Safety Day Nationwide

Sunday, Sept. 20

Pharmacy Workforce Suicide Awareness Day Nationwide

Tuesday, Sept. 22

MSCP Board of Directors Virtual

Thursday, Sept. 24

MSHP Board of Directors Virtual

Friday, Sept. 25

World Pharmacist Day Worldwide

— STUDENT FOCUS —

STANDARD OF CARE: D

espite pharmacists’ extensive education and clinical training, pharmacy practice has historically been limited largely to dispensing-related responsibilities. This limitation stems not from inadequate preparation, but from legal and regulatory restrictions that narrowly define the scope of practice. I have spent years developing the skills to assess patients, interpret laboratory results and create evidence-based treatment plans. Yet in

BY AFRAH ALAMERY, practice, many of these skills may remain Pharm.D. 2026 candidate, underused. Rigid, task-based regulations University of Michigan often define pharmacy practice by checklists College of Pharmacy rather than clinical judgment. This gap between pharmacists’ training and their permitted practice is precisely what the standard of care (SOC) model seeks to address.

The SOC model shifts pharmacy regulation from a bright-lined “checklist-and-guardrails” framework to one that evaluates whether care meets the standard expected of a reasonable and prudent pharmacist in a similar setting. Pharmacy practice has traditionally been reliant on regulations and rigid rules that explicitly define what pharmacists may do. Traditionally, if any particular service is not specifically permitted, it becomes prohibited.

In a SOC model, however, any service is permissible unless explicitly prohibited, as long as it aligns with the pharmacist’s education, training, experience and the accepted standard of care.

The distinction between the two is not semantic. As one of the most heavily-regulated professions, it is truly transformative for pharmacy.

These regulations often require pharmacists to seek legislative and/ or board approval for each new service, creating a system where innovation lags behind clinical capability.

Meanwhile, other health professions such as medical doctors and nursing operate under frameworks where providers are expected to exercise professional judgement within broadly defined scopes of practice. This mismatch leaves highly-trained pharmacists confined to unnecessarily narrow roles, despite their clinical training and capabilities.

The SOC model resolves this by aligning legal authority with clinical training. Pharmacists already follow a standardized clinical framework: the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process (PPCP). The PPCP includes collecting patient information, assessing therapy, developing and implementing care plans, and conducting follow-up. Modern Pharm.D. education explicitly focuses on preparing students for responsibilities such as patient assessment, laboratory test interpretation and disease management — all of which are embedded in national accreditation standards.

However, under current regulatory structures, applying these skills often requires collaborative practice agreements or disease-specific legislation. These mechanisms, while historically important, are inherently limited because they rely on delegated authority that can be restricted, inconsistent and dependent on external approval. The SOC model removes this dependency by enabling independent clinical decision-making, provided it meets professional standards. The impact

Redefining the Future of Pharmacy Focus

of this shift on patient care could be substantial.

What Could This Look Like in Practice?

Nearly 90% of Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy, making pharmacists one of the most accessible healthcare providers in the country. At the same time, more than 30% of Americans lack access to a primary care provider, contributing to delays in care and increased reliance on emergency services. Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to fill this gap by expanding access to care for acute and chronic conditions, focusing on both preventive and curative treatments.

There is strong evidence that supports the role of pharmacists in patient care. Pharmacist-led care has been shown to improve outcomes in hypertension, diabetes and other chronic diseases, while also reducing healthcare costs and unnecessary hospital visits. In some cases, pharmacist-managed care has demonstrated outcomes that are comparable to, or potentially better than, traditional physician-led models.

Despite this evidence, regulatory barriers continue to limit pharmacists’ ability to fully contribute to patient care.

A Practical Framework for Implementation The SOC model addresses these barriers through a structured but flexible approach. Implementation efforts in states such as Idaho highlight five key steps: 1. A dopt a broad definition of pharmacy practice.

2. A llow flexibility (“elasticity”) for scope to evolve over time.

3. M aintain prescriptive regulations only where necessary (e.g., controlled substances).

4. E liminate outdated or unnecessary regulations.

5. S trengthen accountability mechanisms to ensure patient safety.

This approach preserves patient safety while enabling innovation.

Importantly, SOC does not eliminate regulation – it shifts the focus from controlling actions to ensuring quality and appropriateness of care.

Pharmacists remain accountable through professional standards, licensing boards and legal oversight if they fail to meet the accepted standard.

For student pharmacists, this shift has real implications for how we will practice. We are entering a profession at a turning point. Our education has evolved to prepare us for a broader clinical role, but the regulatory environment has not fully caught up yet. The transition to a standard of care model represents an opportunity to bridge that gap and redefine what it means to be a pharmacist.

As a future pharmacist, engaging in this conversation is not optional – it is essential for the continued growth of our profession. Whether through involvement in professional organizations, advocacy efforts, or policy discussions, student pharmacists play a critical role in shaping the future of the profession.

The question is no longer whether pharmacists are capable of providing comprehensive clinical care but if we are willing to advocate for a system that allows us to do so.

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2026 2026 July/Aug./Sept.

July/Aug./Sept. | Vol. | Vol. 64,64, Issue Issue 3 3

— CE EVENTS —

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 12

6th Annual Antimicrobial Stewardship Innovations Symposium (OASIS) 25 Michigan St. NE, Suite 7000, Grand Rapids The 2026 Outpatient Antimicrobial Stewardship Innovations Symposium (OASIS) is sponsored by the Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the Ferris State University College of Pharmacy.

This 4.5-hour educational meeting will have both in-person and virtual options for attendees. https://lecturepanda.com/v2/announcement/ag1zfnJ4Y2V0cmFja2VychMLEgZDRVVzZXIYgICAsLaLigoM/ag1zfnJ4Y2V0cmFja2VycicLEgZDRVVzZXIYgICAsLaLigoMCxIHTGVjdHVyZRiAgJibvZDSCgw

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 19

Pharmacy Technician Immunization Administration (live webinar date) Note: This program contains a home-study element that must be completed before the live webinar date. https://www.lecturepanda.com/v2/announcement/ag1zfnJ4Y2V0cmFja2VychMLEgZDRVVzZXIYgICAsLaLigoM/ag1zfnJ4Y2V0cmFja2VycicLEgZDRVVzZXIYgICAsLaLigoMCxIHTGVjdHVyZRiAgODWkprvCww

THURSDAY, SEPT. 10 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

APhA Pharmacy-based Immunization Training (live webinar date) Note: This course is a 20-hour ACPE-accredited certificate program which includes both self-study and live components. The approximate 12 hours of home study materials over 23 training modules must be completed before the virtual live webinar delivery date. https://www.michiganpharmacists.org/events/apha-pharmacy-basedimmunization-training--2026-q3-live-webinar/register

TUESDAY, OCT. 6

Pharmacy Technician Immunization Administration (live webinar date) You may use the Aug. 19 link to register for this live webinar date, or scan the code. Participants must still complete the home study portion of this training before the live date.

QUESTIONS

If you have any questions about any of these MPA education events, please email Education@MichiganPharmacists.org.

Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

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SATURDAY, OCT. 10

Upper Peninsula Division Fall Conference Northern Center, Marquette The 2026 MPA UP Division Fall Conference will take place over an exciting two days with a social event Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, and the educational conference Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. Join us at the Northern Center on the campus of Northern Michigan University in Marquette.

Register Now: https://www.michiganpharmacists.org/events/2026upper-peninsula-division-fall-conference/register

FRIDAY, OCT. 23

MSHP Annual Meeting Weber’s Boutique Hotel and Restaurant, Ann Arbor The 2026 MSHP Annual Meeting comes to you live from Ann Arbor this year. To book a room at Weber's, visit https://res.windsurfercrs.com/ibe/details.aspx?propertyid=16332&ni ghts=2&checkin=10/21/2026&group=6976300&lang=en-us.

FEATURED ON-DEMAND CE Increasing Access to Hormonal Contraceptive Products 4-Hour Pharmacy-Only CE This APhA-developed, 4-hour online interactive training program will prepare pharmacists to discuss the hormonal contraceptive options available to prescribe, furnish, or dispense, in accordance with state laws. Additionally, this ACPE-accredited training program fulfills the requirements of Michigan Board of Pharmacy Administrative Rule R 338.581b for pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraception under MCL 333.17744g. https://www.michiganpharmacists.org/products/increasing-accessto-hormonal-contraceptive-products---4-hr-pharmacist-only-ce

Caring for Patients with Opioid Use Disorder: Optimizing Interprofessional Care The North Carolina Association of Pharmacists has developed a comprehensive, one-time training program designed to give healthcare professionals a thorough understanding of preventing, detecting and managing patients with substance use disorders. The program addresses prevention, treatment and recovery, conceptualizing substance use disorder as a chronic brain disease affected by genetic, behavioral cultural, and socioeconomic factors. The program will emphasize opioid use disorder (OUD) and is designed to equip participants with the information needed to treat and manage patients living with OUD effectively. https://naspa.us/resource/caring-for-patients-with-opioid-usedisorder-optimizing-interprofessional-care/

2026 July/Aug./Sept. | Vol. 64, Issue 3

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— LEGISLATIVE UPDATE —

STUDENT PHARMACIST LOAN FORGIVENESS BILL ADVANCES THROUGH HOUSE COMMITTEE

H

ouse Bill 5985 received a hearing in front of the Michigan House Health Policy Committee June 10 – less than a month after it was introduced by Rep. Tom Kunse, R-Clare. In addition to myself, testifying in support of the bill at the hearing were Michelle Kelly, associate professor at Ferris State University and president of the Michigan Pharmacists Association, and Sydney VanBuren, P3 student pharmacist at Ferris State University.

The bill amends provisions of the Public Health Code relating to the Michigan State Loan Repayment Program (also called the Essential Health Provider Recruitment Grant Program). The bill would add pharmacists to the list of health professionals eligible to participate in the program.

BY ERIC ROATH,

Pharm.D., MBA; MPA director of government affairs

Under current law, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services administers the Michigan State Loan Repayment Program, which provides repayment assistance for certain educational debt and expenses incurred by eligible health professionals who agree to practice in a designated health resource shortage area. Eligible professionals currently include certain physicians, dentists, physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses and mental health professionals.

The bill would revise the definition of designated professional to include a pharmacist licensed under Part 177 of the Public Health Code.

In addition, the bill would allow licensed pharmacists who incurred debt or expenses from attending an accredited pharmacy school to participate in the repayment program under the same terms as other eligible professionals. As under current law, participating professionals would be required to enter into a written agreement with MDHHS to provide full-time health-care services in a health resource shortage area for at least two years, or for the number of years corresponding to the repayment period, whichever is greater.

The bill would not change the repayment limits currently established in law. Under current law, annual repayment assistance may not exceed $40,000 per year, and total repayment assistance may not exceed $300,000 over a period of at least 10 years.

The bill cleared the House Health Policy Committee with no opposition. Next, the bill must be voted out of the House and receive a hearing and vote in the Senate if it is to be signed into law.

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— MEMBERSHIP —

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Describe your current role and what a typical day looks like for you. I am completing my PGY-1 pharmacy residency with Meijer, Ferris State College of Pharmacy and Pfizer. My residency is longitudinal, so I am at a different location every day. The sites I get the opportunity to work at are Meijer corporate, the Meijer pharmacies in the Corewell hospitals in Grand Rapids and in Plainfield, as well as two ambulatory care sites with Cherry Health. At these sites I have a variety of roles such as project work, ambulatory practice in COPD, asthma and opioid use disorder, as well as staffing in the community pharmacy at multiple sites.

Share an impact story on how you directly affected a patient's outcome. In the ambulatory care clinic, I have the opportunity to work with a primary care physician who primarily sees patients with opioid use disorder. In this clinic, patients are referred to the pharmacist to manage medications or to provide disease state and medication education.

Andrew de Voest Pharm.D., pharmacy resident, Meijer, Ferris State University College of Pharmacy, Pfizer

I had a patient referred to me whose A1C was very high, and he was struggling with using his insulin and other diabetes medications, as well as taking his blood sugars routinely. After meeting weekly with this patient for almost two months, his next A1C was reduced by more than 2% and he was able to get a CGM instead of having to take his sugar manually. The patient truly appreciated someone at the office that was able to talk over all the questions they had and answer any questions that came up. The patient said he understood his diabetes more after our conversations and reading some of the resources I provided.

It was an incredibly satisfying experience to help a patient over time and to see their progress, and ultimately celebrate a win they worked so hard to get!

What do you like to do outside of work? I like to play basketball, golf, tennis and swimming. I also enjoy playing chess and spending time at my family's cabin up north. I also like traveling and spending time with my family and friends.

New MPA members (Apr. 1-June 30) Lana Abbas Marie Adkins Bassam Alasri Waseem Alasri Fadhel Aldayyeni Shahada Altaii Angela Amble Michelle Atie Michelle Aultman Angie Aziz

Heba Babiker Ahmad Barakat Jessica Battaglia Luke Burns Katelyn Byrd Sabrina Causer Yong Choe Alaina Curry Jenna Marie Dethloff-Sprague Samath Dewasurendra Ravijit Ghotra Muhammad Hamdan William Harr

Angelina Hatfield-Stowers Lars Henderson Andrea Hoffman Heidi Holmes Sarah Jerew Ziad Jiddou Sydney Kleeves Demetrius Kukulka Marisa Lapp Tracy LaRoy Jonathan CF Lee Jessica Lucas Jon Monroe

Rosa Morales Nichole Munson Alexandra Pawlitz Madelyn Pitts Steven Polaski Jordan Pollack Valerie Powers Bippen Rihal Kenneth Rogers Abbi Ryder Hammam Saeed Joshua Sauer Tricia Sirois

Makenzee Smith Taelir Steck LyAnn M Streifel Maimoona Sultana Phoebe Tilburt Emily Torongo Max Woerfel Kate Wolshon Yi Yao Xia Joseph Yaklic Mark Young

SIGN UP NOW TO SERVE ON AN MPA OR MSHP COMMITTEE If you are interested in serving on a 2026 MPA or MSHP committee, the submission deadline is Oct. 31, 2026.

Even if you miss this deadline, MPA encourages you to complete the form. Your information will be kept on file and considered for future opportunities, committee expansions or mid-year openings.

MPA committee members are required to attend the following committee days:

MSHP committee members are required to attend the following committee days:

• Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2027 (in-person, MPA headquarters)

• Thursday, Jan. 14, 2027 (in-person, TBD in Lansing)

• May 2027, date TBD (virtual)

• May 6, 2027, (in-person, TBD in Lansing) 2026 July/Aug./Sept. | Vol. 64, Issue 3

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— FROM THE FOUNDATION —

FOSTERING THE FUTURE OF PHARMACY The Work of the Michigan Pharmacy Foundation

T

he Michigan Pharmacy Foundation was built on a single, enduring commitment: “To Foster the Future of Pharmacy.” Not passively and not by accident, but through intentional investment in the students, leaders and advocates who will carry this profession forward in Michigan for generations to come.

BY RICK DRABEK, executive director, Michigan Pharmacy Foundation

That mission comes to life in two powerful ways every year: through student scholarships and through the MPF Health Professional Leadership Academy (HPLA).

Since 2002, the Foundation has awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships to deserving pharmacy students across Michigan. This year, the Foundation took a meaningful step forward by increasing each scholarship award by $500. It is a reflection of the Board’s commitment to keeping pace with the very real and very significant financial pressures that pharmacy students face today. Each year, a scholarship is presented to at least one student at each of Michigan’s three colleges of pharmacy, and the Larry Wagenknecht Leadership Scholarship continues to recognize a student whose leadership and passion extend well beyond the classroom.

These increases matter. Pharmacy education remains one of the most financially demanding paths in healthcare, and the gap between what students can manage and what their education actually costs continues to grow. The Foundation is determined to close that gap as much as possible, but doing so requires the sustained support of the Michigan pharmacy community.

Don’t just take my word for it; hear from our 2026 scholarship recipients on how the Foundation’s efforts have benefited them: • Micaiah Whitaker shared that the recognition “affirms the trust that leaders in Michigan’s pharmacy community have placed in my future contributions to the profession.”

• Gretchen Eickelberg was candid about what the support means on a practical level: “The major barrier in my education is the financial burden and this scholarship helps alleviate some of that and allows me to focus more on making the most of my time in school.”

• Rebecca Bovee put it simply: support like this “motivates students to get involved in student life and worry less about the financial aspects of pursuing a Pharm.D.” These are the voices of the profession’s future. When you support MPF scholarships, you are speaking directly to those students, telling them that the profession sees them, believes in them and is invested in their success.

MPF’s Health Professional Leadership Academy addresses a need that goes beyond tuition. In today’s healthcare environment, pharmacy professionals must be more than skilled clinicians. They must be advocates, collaborators and leaders. The HPLA is an intensive, six-month program focused on self-awareness, strategic thinking, team building and real-world leadership development.

Ascension-St. John Hospital Pharmacy Supervisor Nathan French called HPLA “content not offered in most schools or other associations.” Christine Jiang, a clinical pharmacy specialist at Henry Ford Medical Center, described it as “an incredibly enriching experience for personal growth and reflection.”

HPLA graduates are already leading teams, shaping policy and advancing patient care across Michigan.

Scholarships and the HPLA both depend on the generosity of people who understand what is at stake. The Foundation has raised the bar this year. Now we need your help to keep raising it. Growing our scholarship awards to reflect the true cost of pharmacy education is a goal we can only reach together.

Please feel free to reach out to me personally to talk more about the impact that the Michigan Pharmacy Foundation is making to advance our mission: “To Foster the Future of Pharmacy.”

To learn more about the Foundation’s work and how you can help, visit MichiganPharmacyFoundation.org or contact me directly at rdrabek@michiganpharmacists.org.

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G LF CLASSIC On June 17, 2026, MPF held its annual Golf Classic at The Emerald Golf Course in St. Johns. Thank you to the golfers, sponsors and MPA staff members who made this important fundraising event a success!

MPF Executive Director Rick Drabek addresses golfers during the awards ceremony.

The winning squad of Jeff Freund, Chris Wolfinger, Scott Klus and Toni Klus.

MPA Executive Board Member Kyle Schmidt hits a shot.

Anthony Codrean watches a fairway shot.

2026 July/Aug./Sept. | Vol. 64, Issue 3

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2 0 2 6

Thank You to Our Sponsors F A I R W A Y F R I E N D S O F T H E F O U N D AT I O N

SCOTT & TONI KLUS

GARY & MARIE KADLEC

EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS

RYAN J. GREENLEY MICHELLE J. KELLY RYAN J. BICKEL MARC GUZZARDO

SUSAN & CLAYTON ERICKSON JOHN BRUBAKER & DENISE MARKSTROM STEVE DURST

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14 MichiganPharmacists.org

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2026 July/Aug./Sept. | Vol. 64, Issue 3

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Infectious Diseases

QUESTIONS Ashley Builta, Pharm.D., MPA Education@michiganpharmacists.org

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2026 July/Aug./Sept. | Vol. 64, Issue 3

17

— MSHP PRESIDENT —

WORKING ‘STRONGER TOGETHER’ TO EMPOWER PATIENTS, PROFESSIONALS AND COMMUNITIES

A

BY NADA M. FARHAT,

Pharm.D., BCPS, BCACP, clinical pharmacist specialist, Michigan Medicine, MSHP president

"The future of pharmacy depends on our ability to work together to address challenges that extend beyond individual workplaces and practice settings."

s healthcare systems across the country continue to navigate challenges related to rising costs, workforce shortages and rapid technological change, pharmacists are increasingly recognized as essential members of the healthcare team. The 2026 MSHP theme, “Stronger Together: Patients, Professionals, Communities,” emphasizes the value of collaboration in overcoming these challenges we face collectively. Together, we can enhance patient care, elevate our profession and improve the health of the communities we serve.

of the healthcare team – including reimbursement for clinical services, expanded scope of practice and workforce sustainability – remain key issues requiring coordinated advocacy efforts at the state and national levels. Pharmacy should have a collective voice, diverse representation and, most importantly, a seat at every table where decisions are made that impact our profession.

Patients: Expanding Access and Advancing Care

The role of pharmacy extends far beyond medication dispensing and direct patient care. Pharmacists serve as trusted healthcare professionals within their communities, often providing some of the most accessible healthcare services available.

Regardless of the practice setting, patients remain the cornerstone of our practice and our shared purpose.

Although our challenges seem unique, they are focused on one common goal – improving patient care.

Increasing access to care while improving medication affordability and healthcare disparities will positively impact patients across every healthcare setting.

Through unified advocacy and a shared commitment, we can work together to advance the care we provide to our patients, and ultimately, advance the pharmacy profession as a whole.

Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to help address these challenges through medication expertise, patient education, chronic disease management and preventive care services. As healthcare demands increase, pharmacists must continue advocating for expanded patient access to pharmacist-provided services across all practice settings.

Professionals: Building a Sustainable Future for Pharmacy Strengthening our profession begins by fostering internal unity, not just at our own institutions, but supporting pharmacists, technicians and other healthcare professionals across multiple care settings.

As we expand our external presence locally, nationally and globally, we uplift one another and amplify the impact of the entire profession.

Focusing on professional engagement and leadership development, both intraprofessionally and interprofessionally, will help empower and strengthen the next generation of pharmacy leaders. Advocacy efforts that focus on pharmacists as essential members

18 MichiganPharmacists.org

Communities: Providing Care for All Patients

Communities continue to face significant public health challenges, including chronic disease burden, healthcare inequities and limited access in certain geographic regions across the state. Pharmacists play a key role in addressing these issues through public health initiatives, community outreach, preventive services and advocacy efforts. This includes advocating for policies that improve medication access, supporting underserved communities, and ensuring that all patients have opportunities to achieve optimal health outcomes.

Strong communities are built through trust, representation and engagement. By partnering with patients, healthcare organizations, policymakers and community leaders, pharmacists can help develop sustainable solutions to improve population health and strengthen healthcare systems.

Stronger Together The future of pharmacy depends on our ability to work together to address challenges that extend beyond individual workplaces and practice settings. Whether advocating for patients, supporting colleagues, advancing the profession, or improving community health, our greatest achievements occur when we act collectively.

When pharmacy stands together, we are not only stronger – we are positioned to lead meaningful change for generations to come.

— MSHP FOCUS —

REIMAGINING CELLULITIS CARE THROUGH AN ED-BASED DALBAVANCIN PATHWAY A

n 87-year-old woman came to the emergency department (ED) with her husband for worsening cellulitis. She had already completed a course of oral antibiotics, yet her symptoms continued to worsen. The ED provider was appropriately considering hospital admission for IV antibiotic therapy.

Clinically, however, she was stable. She did not require vasopressors, intensive monitoring, urgent surgery, or management of an unstable comorbidity. Although she may ultimately have responded to additional or prolonged oral therapy, her worsening symptoms despite initial outpatient antibiotics created a scenario where many clinicians would reasonably consider short-term hospitalization for IV treatment and observation.

More importantly, she did not want to be hospitalized. She wanted to be discharged from the ED, return home and have dinner with her husband.

BY COLE ORLIKOWSKI, Pharm.D., MBA, PGY-2 infectious diseases pharmacy resident, Henry Ford Hospital

This encounter illustrates a challenge that clinicians frequently face in the ED. Many patients with cellulitis and other acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs) are stable enough to recover at home, yet they are admitted to the hospital because IV antibiotics are perceived as the only reliable treatment option. These admissions are often short (commonly lasting 48 to 72 hours) but still carry a significant burden.1 For patients, even brief hospitalization means time away from family, interruption of daily routines, unnecessary diagnostic testing and exposure to potential hospital-associated complications. For health systems already operating under significant capacity constraints, these admissions contribute to occupied inpatient beds, ED boarding, and increased strain on nursing, provider and pharmacy resources.

As part of my PGY-1 pharmacy residency research project, our team sought to redesign this care pathway in September 2024 by implementing an ED-based dalbavancin protocol at Munson Medical Center, a 442-bed community teaching hospital in Traverse City. Dalbavancin is a long-acting lipoglycopeptide (LaLGP) antibiotic with potent activity against common Gram-positive pathogens responsible for cellulitis and other ABSSSIs. Because dalbavancin can be administered as a single 1,500-mg, 30-minute infusion, it offers carefully-selected patients with ABSSSIs an opportunity to receive definitive therapy without hospitalization solely for IV antibiotic administration.2-4 2026 July/Aug./Sept. | Vol. 64, Issue 3

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— MSHP FOCUS —

"Importantly, we wanted to ensure the pathway was not only clinically appropriate but also financially responsible and operationally sustainable. This was especially important because the pathway was implemented during the branded-product era of dalbavancin, when acquisition cost remained a major barrier and manufacturerspecific assistance resources were still central to financial feasibility."

The care model was designed for selective, judicious use — not as a replacement for oral antibiotics or standard cellulitis management.

Many patients with uncomplicated cellulitis respond well to conventional oral therapy, although meaningful clinical improvement may take more than 48 hours. For that reason, early escalation to dalbavancin for an expected slow response or mild early nonresponse could result in unnecessary antimicrobial exposure, increased selection pressure for resistance and use of overly intensive therapy for infections that may be managed with narrower oral regimens.5 The goal was therefore to add a carefully defined option for a narrow group of patients who would otherwise likely be admitted primarily for IV antibiotic therapy, rather than to replace oral antibiotics or inpatient care.

coordinate the multidisciplinary work needed to move the protocol from concept to practice. Collaboration across emergency medicine, nursing, finance, informatics, medication assistance services and healthsystem leadership was essential to develop standardized workflows for ordering, verification, compounding, transportation, administration, discharge education and post-administration financial follow-up.

Previous studies examining ED-based LaLGP pathways have suggested these models can safely reduce avoidable admissions, improve patient convenience and satisfaction, and remain financially viable when paired with thoughtful patient selection and reimbursement infrastructure.6-14 Those findings reinforced an important concept: some clinically stable patients with cellulitis are admitted primarily because of the perceived need for IV antibiotic therapy, not because they truly require inpatient-level monitoring.15-17 This concept formed as the foundation for our local pathway.

Some larger academic medical centers may be able to justify ED dalbavancin use by absorbing the medication cost when hospitalization is avoided. This approach, however, may not be feasible for smaller community health systems like Munson Healthcare, which often rely more heavily on reimbursement from dalbavancin administration to sustain the pathway. Because dalbavancin could be administered in the ED without prior authorization, clinicians were able to utilize the pathway without delaying care while awaiting insurance approval.

However, its substantial acquisition cost still required careful attention to downstream financial considerations, including insurance coverage, reimbursement workflows, patient out-of-pocket expenses, and the potential for unreimbursed drug costs for the health system.

Our care model focused on adult patients with ABSSSIs caused by suspected Gram-positive organisms who were otherwise stable enough for discharge, but would traditionally have been admitted for IV therapy. Common reasons included failure of oral antibiotics, adherence concerns, intolerance to oral therapy, larger areas of cellulitis, stable chronic comorbidities, or systemic signs of infection without hemodynamic instability. Patients with conditions requiring broader inpatient management (including necrotizing infection, bacteremia, osteomyelitis, diabetic foot infection, polymicrobial infection, immunocompromised status, pregnancy, or unstable comorbidities) were excluded from the protocol.

The 87-year-old woman mentioned before was one of the first patients to benefit from this new care model. She was far from the last. Over the first eight months following implementation, 19 patients received dalbavancin in the ED and were discharged home the same day. When compared with a historical cohort of patients hospitalized for 72 hours or less for similar infections, there were no statistically significant differences in 30-day hospitalization for recurrent infection, ED revisits, additional antibiotic prescriptions, or 72-hour all-cause hospitalizations.

No major dalbavancin-related adverse events were identified.

Operationally, the pathway avoided an estimated 36 inpatient days and generated an estimated net positive financial margin of approximately $100,000. The study is currently undergoing peer review for publication.

Pharmacists were positioned at the center of the pathway, helping

20 MichiganPharmacists.org

Importantly, we wanted to ensure the pathway was not only clinically appropriate but also financially responsible and operationally sustainable. This was especially important because the pathway was implemented during the branded-product era of dalbavancin, when acquisition cost remained a major barrier and manufacturer-specific assistance resources were still central to financial feasibility.

To support this process, Munson Healthcare’s medication assistance program was integrated into the care model. This allowed clinicallyappropriate patients to receive dalbavancin and be discharged without waiting for insurance adjudication, while medication assistance personnel retrospectively supported claims processing, manufacturer co-pay assistance enrollment, reimbursement verification, patient access documentation and vial replacement requests when appropriate.

However, as dalbavancin generics have entered the market and acquisition costs have declined substantially, many of these intensive financial oversight processes have become less burdensome, improving long-term feasibility and expanding opportunities for similar pathways across other practice settings.

As the pathway matured, its impact became increasingly evident.

Patients with cellulitis who previously may have spent several days hospitalized were instead able to receive definitive IV therapy and were discharged. Clinicians gained another treatment option for stable patients who did not clearly require admission, but didn’t respond to oral therapy or had failed outpatient antibiotics. ED pharmacists became integral to this clinical decision-making process, as eligibility for dalbavancin required pharmacist review and confirmation before administration.

— MSHP FOCUS — By the conclusion of my PGY-1 residency in July, the success of the program at Munson Medical Center helped support expansion of the EDbased dalbavancin pathway across all Munson Healthcare emergency departments. What began as a residency research project evolved into a novel health-system care model. This work was also recognized by the Michigan Pharmacists Association, which presented our team with the 2025 MSHP Professional Practice Award for developing and implementing this innovative pharmacy practice model.

This project reflects the type of care redesign pharmacy practice is wellpositioned to lead. It required a multidisciplinary effort to revamp a care delivery pathway that improved patient experience, supported hospital operations and maintained high-quality clinical care. For carefully selected patients, an ED-based dalbavancin pathway can provide effective IV therapy while avoiding the burden of admission.

REFERENCES: 1. S tevens DL, Bisno AL, Chambers HF, et al. Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and soft tissues infections: 2014 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 201 Jul 15;59(2):e10-52. doi: 10.1093/cid/ ciu444 2. L exicomp. Dalbavancin. Available at: https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 4 May 2025.

3. B oucher HW, Wilcox M, Talbot GH, et al. Once-Weekly Dalbavancin versus Daily Conventional Therapy for Skin Infection. N Engl J Med. 2014;370(23):2169-2179. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1310480 4. S imonetti O, Rizzetto G, Molinelli E, et al. Review: A Safety Profile of Dalbavancin for Onand Off-Label Utilization. Ther Clin Risk Manage. 2012 Mar 22;17:223-232. doi: 10.2147/ TCRM.S271445 5. B ookstaver BP, & Milgrom A. Stewarding the Costly Antibiotic: Considerations for Dalbavancin. Clinical Infectious Disease. 2021;73(7):e1443-e1444. doi: 10.1093/cid/ ciaa1730

For one 87-year-old woman, that meant receiving the treatment she needed and returning home for dinner with her husband. For the health system, it meant one more hospital bed available for a patient who truly required inpatient care.

6. H olyk A, McDonald J, Newcomb B, et al. 600: Implementation and Evaluation of A Dalbavancin Protocol for Moderate SSSIS in the ED. Critical Care Medicine.

2020;48(1):280. doi 10.1097/01.ccm.0000626140.51748.aa

That is the kind of practical, patient-centered innovation pharmacists are uniquely positioned to lead.

8. R appo U, Gonzalez PL, Puttagunta S, et al. Single-dose dalbavancin and patient satisfaction in an outpatient setting in the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. Journal of global antimicrobial resistance. 2019;17:60-65. doi: 10.1016/j.jgar.2019.02.007

7. P atel M, Smalley S, & Papadopoulos J. Dalbavancin Use in the Emergency Department Setting. Ann Pharmacother. 2019;53(11):1093-1101. doi: 10.1177/1060028019855159

9. T erriff C. Transition of Care with Dalbavancin: a Successful Cost-Saving Stewardship Program through Decreased Length of Stay. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2017;4(Suppl 1):S491. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofx163.1265 10. L oVecchio F, McCarthy M, Xiaolan Ye, et al. Single Intravenous Dalbavancin Pathway for the Treatment of Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections: Considerations for Emergency Department Implementation and Cost Savings. Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2024; 67(2): E217-E229. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2024.03.003 11. H elton B, MacWhinnie A, Brooks Minor S, et al. Early Directed Oritavancin Therapy in the Emergency Department May Lead to Hospital Avoidance Compared to Standard Treatment for Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections: A Real-World Retrospective Analysis. Drugs Real World Outcomes. 2020 Jun;7(Suppl 1):20-29. doi: 10.1007/s40801-020-00201-y 12. R appo U, Gonzalez PL, Puttagunta S, et al. Single-dose dalbavancin and patient satisfaction in an outpatient setting in the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance. 2019 Jun;17:60-65. doi: 10.1016/j.jgar.2019.02.007 13. o lan A, Kuge E, Bremmer E, et al. Real world utilization of Dalbavancin at a rural community emergency department. American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2022 Feb;54:253-256. doi: 10.1015/j.ajem.2022.02.006 14. R aja K, Chen B, Mona P, et al. Budget Impact and Financial Analysis of Outpatient Dalbavancin in an Urban, Non-teaching, Community Hospital. Clinical Drug Investigation. 2025 Oct 8. doi: 10.1007/s40261-025-01486-z 15. T alan DA, Salhi BA. Moran GJ, et al. Factors Associated with Decision to Hospitalize Emergency Department Patients with Skin and Soft Tissue Infection. West J Emerg Med. 2014 Dec 10;16(1):89-97. doi: 10.5811/westjem.2014.11.24133 16. V olz AK, Canham L, Kaplan E, et al. Identifying patients with ABSSSI who are likely to require inpatient admission after a stay in an ED observation unit. American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2013;31(2):360-364. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2012.09.005 17. O rlikowski C, Dumkow LE, Schmidt KJ, et al. Evaluating Risk Factors for Short Versus Long Hospital Stay for Cellulitis to Guide the Development of a Long-acting Lipoglycopeptide Use Decision Algorithm. Annals of Pharmacotherapy. 2025;0(0). doi: 10.1177/10600280251355631

Cole Orlikowski, right, is presented the MSHP Professional Practice Award by MSHP President Stacy Brosseau for his work on the dalbavancin pathway at the 2025 MSHP Annual Meeting.

2026 July/Aug./Sept. | Vol. 64, Issue 3

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— MPA IN ACTION —

2026 PRESIDENT-ELECT CANDIDATES

STEVEN J. WALLNER is a 2009 graduate of Ferris State University and is currently based in critical access hospital pharmacy. He is a staff pharmacist at UP Health System-Bell in Ishpeming, where he has practiced for 17 years. Wallner has also been the director of pharmacy at Munising Memorial Hospital for the last six years.

He has served on the MPA Executive Board for the last three years, and prior to that, was the president and chairperson of the MPA Upper Peninsula Division. Wallner remains active with UP Division leadership, helping to streamline its annual fall conference, enhancing the experience and increasing attendance.

Wallner said his experience with MPA has been inspiring, meeting people who are doing great things on the board and in different practice settings. Aside from seeing everyone at the Annual Convention & Exposition, one of his favorite experiences was working with 50 fellow pharmacy professionals at last year's strategic planning event.

“Coming from a rural setting, it was inspiring to hear from the different practice settings that I don’t interact with on a regular basis,” he said. “The differences and similarities we all shared led to great discussions and ideas that we were all able to bring back to our own practice settings.”

Over the next three-to-five years, what areas do you believe MPA should strengthen in its current efforts and/ or what new programs, services, or initiatives should it introduce to better support pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, student pharmacists and the profession as a whole?

The Michigan Pharmacists Association is the organization it is because of its membership. Members are so important to the organization’s growth, and one area where we are seeing growth in membership is among technicians and students. As pharmacists, we can see in our practice how important these groups are to making our job possible. Therefore, we need to focus and listen to what they need from the Association as well. We have such a large student base in the Association right now, and we need to make sure they see it as a benefit for them moving forward by developing mentorship programs that enhance their job satisfaction, reduce burnout and grow their support networks. For the pharmacists in MPA and in Michigan, we need to continue the advocacy the Association is already pursuing to maintain the push to work at the top of our licenses. We are a skilled and underutilized group, who I believe can help advance healthcare over the next few years and decades. If we continue to advance pharmacy benefit manager reform to make sure we are reimbursed appropriately, we will fight the burnout we all see and help advance pharmacy practice in all settings across the state.

22 MichiganPharmacists.org

If elected, what would be the central theme of your leadership year, and why? Describe the theme, vision, or guiding focus you would prioritize and explain how it would shape initiatives, impact members and support the advancement of the profession.

Growth! When I tell someone I want to see growth, it is often assumed that I want to see the Association grow. Of course, that is why we are all here and voting, but the other growth I want to see is within the profession. We need to continue networking and building our personal networks, but I think we also need to focus on the growth of our profession. If we can start by advocating simply for the profession, we will see growth in our Association. Let’s be a voice that goes out and talks about what we love about our field. If this means hosting family events in our local areas, talking to high school students, or even middle school-age kids, let’s do it. When we advocate for pharmacy, people listen. Other healthcare professionals and the public should know we can do more for them. When we work together, whether with other healthcare providers or at a community event, we can grow this profession by demonstrating our skills and helping people understand what we can do for them.

— MPA IN ACTION —

MPA will conduct its 2026 elections from July 8-22. MPA members will receive their ballot from AssociationVoting.org to the email address linked to their MPA account.

How would you work to engage and strengthen involvement among MPA members? Share your ideas for increasing member participation, supporting diverse practice settings and creating value for current and future members.

When we are thinking about growth, we need to lean on our local members to talk to people. Part of our strategic plan was to build materials for job fairs and presentations. If we can get these ideas out there and ask a member to talk to their local college or school, we can find people willing to help promote MPA and pharmacy. Getting this information out to people about the many different job types in pharmacy can excite them about new opportunities.

Aside from growing our membership, I want to build a leadership pipeline. We have so many great members who are very active and many who want to be involved, but may be hesitant about the time commitment. One thing I want to focus on is the engagement of all members. If you have a question, please ask. Reach out to a board member and ask to sit in on a meeting. I think, as people, we always fear the unknown. During my time with MPA, I was unsure whether I wanted to run for the Executive Board; now I am running for president-elect. The time commitment can seem daunting before you take the step, but if we can help members see how rewarding it can be, we can build a pipeline for future leaders of the Association.

What leadership qualities and experiences do you bring to the role of MPA president? Describe experiences that have prepared you to lead the association and how your leadership approach would benefit MPA and its members.

I serve on numerous boards in my local community, from church organizations to local government. Working in different roles has taught me what I do not know, but it has also shown me that as a leader, you do not need to know everything when you are surrounded by other great people. I have been told that the strength in my leadership style is that I listen. I do not think we can lead without listening first. As leaders, we are not here to be the only ones with an idea and then have to implement it. Leadership, to me, means listening to the issues people raise when they speak and then helping them find solutions. I am not afraid of any task and am willing to sit down and talk with anyone about their topic. I think something that has been lost lately is to ask a question when you don’t know the answer.

At ACE this year, we held a scavenger hunt called "Find Your Why.” The idea behind this game was to start a discussion among participants about why they are here and involved in pharmacy – to help break the ice and network. I think we need to lead by asking people to tell us their why. This is where we will find more information, because your why may help me to better understand how to assist you on your path.

Steven Wallner is pictured with his son Jace, daughter Macie and wife Sally.

What message would you like to share with MPA members as they consider their vote?

My vision is for us to be a loud, unifying voice in this state and nation.

I want to develop mentorship programs for students, technicians and pharmacists to help build this Association and advance the progress we are striving for right now. When we, as an Association, are so big and loud, our advocacy will not fail. We will continue the push for PBM reform, continue the path toward higher reimbursements and expand our scope of practice so we practice at the top of our licenses.

MPA has given me the opportunity to run for president-elect of this great Association after serving on the executive board for the past three years. I look forward to listening to any and every member who wants their voice to be heard. I look forward to serving you for the next three years and would be honored if you choose to vote for me.

2026 July/Aug./Sept. | Vol. 64, Issue 3

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— MPA IN ACTION —

2026 PRESIDENT-ELECT CANDIDATES

MARIA YOUNG is a passionate pharmacy leader whose career reflects a lifelong commitment to

advancing patient care and elevating the profession. After earning her bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from St. John’s University in 1996, she relocated from New York to Michigan during the CVS acquisition of Arbor Drugs. In 2008, she founded University Pharmacy, where she came to realize pharmacists were not viewed as healthcare providers and made it her mission to change that.

During the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, Young led innovative clinical initiatives, including immunizations, diabetes self-management education, medication therapy management, and point-of-care testing, where she recognized that pharmacy students are a powerful and often underutilized resource in expanding patient care, while also showcasing the critical role pharmacists play as accessible, frontline healthcare providers.

She currently serves as the regulatory and compliance pharmacist for outpatient pharmacies at Henry Ford Health and Pharmacy Advantage. In this role, she upholds rigorous legal and ethical standards while keeping a culture of respect and accountability.

A recognized leader, Young has contributed extensively at local, state and national levels, including serving as vice chair of the Michigan Board of Pharmacy and on the NABP District IV executive committee. She is actively involved with CPESN Michigan, National Council for Prescription Drug Programs and the Wayne County Pharmacists Association.

Her achievements have earned multiple honors, including Emerging Professional and Pharmacist of the Year awards, and national recognition for immunization leadership. Through continued advocacy, mentorship and innovation, Young remains dedicated to shaping the future of pharmacy.

Over the next three-to-five years, what areas do you believe MPA should strengthen in its current efforts and/ or what new programs, services, or initiatives should it introduce to better support pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, student pharmacists and the profession as a whole?

I believe MPA has an important opportunity to strengthen its efforts in advancing recognition and sustainability for pharmacists, student pharmacists and pharmacy technicians across all practice settings.

A key priority is advocating for equitable reimbursement models that ensure pharmacists are compensated for the value of care they provide, regardless of practice setting – whether community, specialty, hospital, or compounding.

Through my experience implementing immunizations, diabetes education, medication therapy management and point-of-care testing, I have seen firsthand that pharmacists are essential frontline providers.

Reimbursement needs to reflect the value pharmacists bring to ensure long-term sustainability. Aligning payment with the care we provide is key to moving the profession forward.

Additionally, MPA can play a significant role in supporting the development and implementation of new programs focused on reimbursement and care delivery infrastructure. This includes improving interoperability across systems, expanding the use of eCare plans and advancing point-of-care services. Strengthening these areas will enable more consistent, patientcentered care while supporting pharmacists, technicians and student

24 MichiganPharmacists.org

pharmacists in practicing at the top of their training.

By focusing on advocacy and improving services, MPA can help support a stronger, more sustainable future for the pharmacy profession.

If elected, what would be the central theme of your leadership year, and why? Describe the theme, vision, or guiding focus you would prioritize and explain how it would shape initiatives, impact members and support the advancement of the profession.

My central theme would be moving the profession forward in a practical and profitable way. I believe that to make meaningful progress, we need to understand where we are today and take realistic steps to strengthen the foundation of pharmacy practice.

A key priority would be ensuring reimbursement reflects the value pharmacists bring, regardless of practice setting. We all share the same goal – helping patients access their medications and understand their treatment – and we need a unified voice to support that. Sustainable reimbursement is essential to continuing and expanding the clinical services we provide.

I would also prioritize strengthening the infrastructure that supports practice advancement, including improving interoperability, expanding the use of eCare plans and supporting point-of-care services. These are practical steps that can help standardize care and allow pharmacy teams to practice at the top of their training and license.

— MPA IN ACTION —

Ultimately, my goal is to ensure MPA remains a strong advocate and resource that supports its members and advances the profession in a lasting and meaningful way.

How would you work to engage and strengthen involvement among MPA members? Share your ideas for increasing member participation, supporting diverse practice settings and creating value for current and future members.

Be approachable and present. I believe connection starts with being real and creating an environment where members feel comfortable sharing their experiences, ideas and challenges.

Engagement also comes from making involvement meaningful and relevant. I would focus on connecting members across all practice settings, reinforcing that we are all part of the same profession with shared goals.

Creating opportunities for collaboration, open dialogue and practical resource-sharing will help members feel more invested and supported.

I also believe it’s important to keep things engaging and energizing by making forums, discussions and events more interactive – not just informational – and creating opportunities for involvement and relationship-building.

What leadership qualities and experiences do you bring to the role of MPA president? Describe experiences that have prepared you to lead the association and how your leadership approach would benefit MPA and its members.

I bring real-world experience, adaptability and an authentic leadership style. I have practiced in multiple states and owned a pharmacy, which has given me a broad perspective across different practice settings and regulatory environments.

Having worked through different stages of pharmacy’s evolution, I understand where we have been and what is needed to move forward. This perspective allows me to approach leadership with both practical insight and a forward-thinking mindset. I’m aware that I don’t have all the answers and remain curious to learn from others. I value listening, collaboration and bringing people together to find solutions, which is especially important as we work to unify our profession across all practice settings.

Running University Pharmacy and implementing clinical services such as immunizations, diabetes education, medication therapy management and point-of-care testing strengthened my ability to lead practice transformation and respond to emerging public health needs. In my current role as a regulatory and compliance pharmacist for Henry Ford Health and Pharmacy Advantage, I have developed an appreciation for balancing innovation with accountability, ensuring high standards of patient-centered and ethical care.

Maria Young is pictured with daughter Sophia, husband Jason and dog Harley.

What message would you like to share with MPA members as they consider their vote?

I’m not someone who enjoys the spotlight and prefer to be more of a behind-the-scenes, boots-on-the-ground person. Public speaking isn’t my thing, but what drives me is the work itself and the impact it has.

I’d like to see the results of the blood, sweat and tears I’ve put into this profession come to fruition within my lifetime. I’m proud of the work I’ve done, especially the opportunity to mentor and support numerous pharmacy students over the years. Seeing their growth and success has been one of the most meaningful parts of my career.

Now that my daughter is studying to be a pharmacist at Rutgers University, this has become even more personal for me and strengthens my commitment to ensuring the future of our profession is strong, sustainable and valued – not just for her, but for all the students and professionals who will carry it forward.

If elected, I will show up, do the work, and represent MPA members with honesty, commitment, and a genuine desire to move our profession forward together.

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— 2026 ELECTION — The following are the 2026 candidates for the MPA Executive and practice section board elections.

Elections will take place from July 8-22.

Members will receive their ballot from AssociationVoting.org via the email linked to their MPA account.

Please contact MPA@MichiganPharmacists.org if you have any questions regarding MPA elections.

MPA EXECUTIVE BOARD Three-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2027

UPPER PENINSULA

At Large Representative (select one)

JOSH

BRENDA

HAVRILKA

JAWORSKI

MSCP REPRESENTATIVE (select one)

DAVID

BRIGHT

BRETT

GINGRICH

CSPM REPRESENTATIVE (select one)

MANJULA

JAYABALAN MPA Chair Ryan Greenley, left, swears in Ashley Blanchette, center, and Katie Wenstrom as Vice Speaker and Speaker of the MPA House of Delegates at ACE.

MPA Speaker, Vice Speaker Selected at ACE MPA extends its congratulations to members Katie Wenstrom and Ashley Blanchette, who were elected as Speaker and Vice Speaker of the House of Delegates, respectively, during the House of Delegates session at the Annual Convention & Exposition in Lansing.

The Speaker and Vice Speaker are ex officio voting members of the MPA Executive Board and will serve two-year terms.

26 MichiganPharmacists.org

— 2026 ELECTION —

PRACTICE SECTION BOARDS Three-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2027

MICHIGAN SOCIETY OF HEALTH SYSTEM PHARMACISTS

MICHIGAN SOCIETY OF COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS

PRESIDENT-ELECT

PRESIDENT-ELECT (select one)

(select one)

SHELBY

TOM

BEN

KELSH

PONTEFRACT

HANCOCK

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

(select three)

(select two)

TIM

CAROLYN

EKOLA

RICHARDS

BELSEM

EMILY

ERIN

LOBB

HABBA

BRITTANY

THOMAS

SULLIVAN

DANIEL

SHANNON

ALDINEY

MYLAND

MATTHEW

SCHWARTZ

CONSULTANT AND SPECIALTY PHARMACISTS OF MICHIGAN

MICHIGAN SOCIETY OF PHARMACY TECHNICIANS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS (select two)

(select one)

JESSICA

SIFFLEDEEN

MATTHEW

CARRIER

JENNA

DETHLOFFSPRAGUE

CJ

HEISLER

EMILY

SMITH

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— CE HOMESTUDY —

MICHIGAN PHARMACISTS PRESCRIBING CONTRACEPTION SERVICES JOURNEY: Time to Gear Up and Meet Patient Needs

BY MARY BETH O’CONNELL, Pharm.D.,

BCPS, FASHP, FCCP, FNAP, AGSF; Wayne State University, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Pharmacy Practice Department and DAVID BRIGHT, Pharm.D., MBA, FCCP, FAPhA; Ferris State University College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Purpose:

To enhance pharmacy staff’s advocacy, knowledge, confidence and skills to provide pharmacists prescribing contraception (PPC).

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this training, the audience will be able to: 1. Describe the current U.S. landscape and Michigan advocacy of pharmacists prescribing contraception (PPC) 2. Explain the importance and value of PPC for the person, pharmacy profession, healthcare systems, and society 3. Use Michigan-generated PPC forms to evaluate a person for contraception and use the United States Medical Eligibility Criteria (US MEC) to determine appropriate contraception 4. Generate a person-centered care plan by individualizing contraception selection

Disclosure Statement :

The authors have no conflicts of interest or financial relationships with any commercial interests related to the activity. Note that this publication is not intended to provide legal advice.

The Michigan Pharmacists Association recommends contacting an attorney with experience in pharmacy and healthcare law for legal advice.

28 MichiganPharmacists.org

Case A 23-year-old cisgender female (TZ) comes to your community pharmacy seeking contraception support.

She last saw her OB-GYN eight months ago, at which point she discontinued hormonal contraception because she was experiencing spotting while taking a progestinonly pill. Her OB-GYN suggested changing the progestinonly pill to a different hormonal contraception product, such as norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol (Sprintec). As TZ had no compelling need for contraception at the time, she chose instead just to discontinue contraception.

Within the last few months, she began a new relationship and would like to restart contraception, but this time with a different agent. She called her OB-GYN but cannot get an appointment until four months from now. She would like to start something sooner. Therefore, she is trying your pharmacy's new PPC service.

Public Health Priority As well-trained and respected healthcare professionals, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and student pharmacists are well-positioned to assist with public health initiatives. Having produced significant impacts during COVID-19,1 many community pharmacies are expanding their services to address public health priorities such as unintended pregnancies. The Healthy People 2030 public health goal is to decrease unintended pregnancies from 41.6% (2019)2 to 36.5%.3 In Michigan from 2020-2022, 49% of pregnancies were estimated to be unintended (228,543 out of 466,088), resulting in 113,621 unintended live births, 83,816 abortions, and 31,106 miscarriages.4 The estimated percent of unintended pregnancies for females 15 - 19 years old was the highest (71.8%, 15,137 unintended pregnancies). Michigan ranked 16th in comparison to 23 other states in terms of unintended pregnancies.5

Unintended Pregnancies About 70% of women aged 18-49 years old are considered to be at risk for an unintended pregnancy.6 In 2019, about 42 out of 1,000 pregnancies in the U.S. were unintended, with rates varying by age, race, ethnicity, and marital status.2 Unintended pregnancies have negative consequences for the mother and infant. People with an unintended pregnancy had fewer pre-planning healthcare visits and

pre-pregnancy chronic disease optimization.7 They also had less prenatal care. These females experienced more depression during and after pregnancy and intimate partner violence.7,8 They were also more likely to stop breastfeeding after three months. Infants tend to be born premature or have lower birth weight.5,8 Direct medical costs (births, abortions, miscarriages) due to unintended pregnancy are estimated to be $21 billion annually in the U.S.9 Indirect costs include failure to complete high school or college with the subsequent decrease in salary and lifetime income, increased government assistance for the infant and parent, and increased cognitive and behavioral issues of the child.

Therefore, improving contraception access has the potential to improve a person’s future, advance public health goals and reduce total healthcare spending.

Various individual and systematic reasons exist for unintended pregnancies. About 12.6% of females who had sex within the last three months were using no form of contraception.10 In another study, 30.3% of females did not use any form of contraception during their last sexual intercourse.6 Negative social drivers of health increase unintended pregnancies.7 Females with Medicaid or no insurance,11 and/or with low incomes were at the greatest risk for an unintended pregnancy.7 Other risk factors included being less than 20 years old, unmarried, without a high school education, nonHispanic Black, Hispanic ethnicity, and/or a smoker.5,7 Having depression, previous births, and/or a higher number of income dependents also increased risk.

Obtaining contraception is associated with challenges.

In one study, 29% of the surveyed women reported challenges getting a prescription due to cost barriers/ no insurance (14%), difficulty getting an appointment scheduled or transportation to it (13%), clinic requirement of a physical assessment first (13%), and not having a primary care provider (10%).12 They also mentioned access to a pharmacy for dispensing or refilling it, although this was a minor problem (4%). The PPC services can overcome most of these challenges.

References available upon request

Scan the QR code to purchase the full registration/article

— LOCAL ASSOCIATION PAGE — MPA encourages all its locals to submit a short recap of activities they have been up to over the previous few months. These can include, but are not limited to CE events, networking activities, charity work or even a recap of your executive board meeting — if you think it's newsworthy, please submit it! Please keep recaps to 300 words and one picture; MPA may edit or trim content to accommodate for spacing.

Content for each issue is due by the following dates: • January/February/March – Dec. 1 • April/May/June – March 1 • July/August/September – June 1 • October/November/December – Sept. 1 You may find MPA's Contribute to a Publication form useful when submitting your content, or you are free to email MPA Marketing and Communications Manager Ryan Weiss directly.

We look forward to seeing what you've all been up to!

Capital Area Pharmacists Association CAPA serves the evening meal on the fifth Saturday of the month (when there is one) at Advent House (corner of Oakland and MLK in Lansing).

Our most recent date was May 30, with the next opportunity on Aug. 29. If you are willing to organize one of these meals, please email capapharm@gmail.com.

Genesee County Pharmacists Association The GCPA Scramble for the Genesee County Free Medical Clinic (GCFMC) will be held Sept. 13 at Sugarbush Golf Club in Davison.

This is the Association's 15th annual golf outing. Participants will enjoy a day of golf with friends and colleagues, and an opportunity to win prizes, all while supporting the Genesee County Free Medical Clinic and GCPA. Register at https://pci.jotform.com/geneseepharmacists/golf.

Western Michigan Pharmacists Association WMPA held a summer event, “Supporting Pharmacy Professionals and Patients: Connection, Collaboration and Community Impact,” on June 30 in the Woodbine Room at Central Park Place in Grand Haven. After a networking hour, there was an educational presentation on antibiotic stewardship and opportunities to promote responsible antibiotic use in our communities. Information was then shared about WMPA's grantfunded medication disposal pouch initiative and how these resources can improve medication safety. This was followed by a general membership meeting and open forum discussion focused on the challenges and opportunities facing pharmacy professionals and the patients we serve.

Upper Peninsula Division The 2026 UP Division Fall Conference is set for Oct. 10, 2026, and registration is now open! Join us Oct. 9 for a social event, followed by the educational conference Oct. 10 at the Northern Center in Marquette. Members can receive discounted lodging rates at the Staybridge Suites using code UPA, or the Superior Stay Hotel with code UPMPA.

Local Events Calendar Local Association Events are now online on the MPA Events calendar! Visit MichiganPharmacists. org/events/local-association-events to see what's happening in your local association.

2026 July/Aug./Sept. | Vol. 64, Issue 3

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Nominate one of your colleagues for a prestigious award to recognize their professional accomplishments! MPA is accepting nominations until Aug. 15, 2026, for the following awards:

MPA Awards

Section Awards

• MPA Pharmacist of the Year • Bowl of Hygeia Award

CSPM

• CSPM Pharmacist of the Year

• Executive Board Medal

MSCP

• Hae Mi Choe Excellence in Innovation Award

MSHP

• Pharmacists MutualTM Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award • Fred W. Arnold Public Relations Award • Fellow of MPA

• MSCP Pharmacist of the Year • MSHP Pharmacist of the Year • MSHP Joseph A. Oddis Leadership Award • MSHP Professional Practice Award • MSHP President's Award • MSHP Excellence in Wellness Practice Award

MSPT

• MSPT Technician of the Year

Scan the QR code for a nomination form

30 MichiganPharmacists.org

• MSPT Service Award

— PAAS NATIONAL —

IS A RESPONSE TO THE

NADAC SURVEY REQUIRED? The National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) Survey has been around for over a decade, but some pharmacies have never received this survey request before. Consequently, PAAS National® is frequently contacted for information and guidance.

Legislation has been proposed over the last few years to make this voluntary survey mandatory. These bills did not pass, so the survey remains voluntary. Pharmacies should still take a minute to understand what the survey is, and whether responding is in their best interest.

The Affordable Care Act required Medicaid programs to shift pharmacy reimbursement to an acquisition cost-based model. CMS Final Rule (CMS-2345-FC) set a compliance date for State Medicaid Programs to be effective no later than April 1, 2017.

BY TRENTON THIEDE,

Pharm.D., MBA, president, PAAS National®, expert third-party audit assistance and FWA/HIPAA compliance

The NADAC file was created to provide pricing files for state Medicaid agencies to utilize when creating their acquisition cost-based pricing methods for Fee-for-service (FFS) Medicaid plans. CMS contracted with Myers and Stauffer LC (a professional accounting firm) to conduct these retail pricing surveys. Outpatient pharmacies are randomly selected to receive these surveys, requesting invoices for purchases made over the previous one-month period. The data collected from these invoices is used to update the NADAC file on a weekly basis.

Since these surveys are voluntary, pharmacies are under no obligation to respond. However, pharmacies being paid below acquisition cost on Medicaid claims may want to consider responding so their costs can be reflected in the survey data. Prior to responding, pharmacies may want to consider requesting a Non-Disclosure Agreement from Myers and Stauffer LC.

PAAS Tips: • NADAC files are published monthly here • Steps to take with your documents if responding o Print “Confidential” on each invoice page o Only include the documents requested - no PHI should be included • Contact the NADAC helpdesk, operated by Myers and Stauffer LC, at (855) 457-5264 or survey@mslcrps.com if you have additional questions about the survey

Copyright © 2026 PAAS National, LLC. Unauthorized use or distribution prohibited.

All use subject to terms at https://paasnational. com/terms-of-use/.

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