Idea Exchanges | Hosted by AAPP Communities

Several hours have been reserved for discussions on current issues in practice on Sunday, 4/19 through Tuesday, 4/21. These sessions are hosted by AAPP Communities and allow for peer-to-peer collaboration and information sharing between attendees who share a special interest or practice setting and involve exchange and dialogue on issues of common interest.

All attendees are welcome to attend! Note: Idea Exchanges will not be live-streamed, and the times indicated below are in regional Pacific time.

Sunday, April 19

10:00-11:00 AM

Back by popular demand, the Patient Care Practice Management Community is hosting an idea exchange on post-REMS clozapine monitoring practices, as standards continue to evolve following the REMS program dissolution. With limited national guidance available, institutions are developing diverse approaches to safe clozapine management. This interactive session will focus on evidence-based monitoring strategies and discussion on standards of practice across institutions, including reduced barriers to clozapine use and implementation. Key topics include: laboratory monitoring frequency, myocarditis/cardiomyopathy surveillance, transitions of care, patient education strategies, and technology-enabled solutions. This forum is open to pharmacists, residents, students, and other healthcare professionals with any level of clozapine experience. Attendees will brainstorm solutions to real-world challenges encountered in clinical practice, such as balancing patient safety with minimizing monitoring burden and addressing medication access barriers. Participants will have opportunities to share institutional protocols, monitoring forms, and patient education materials. The session will provide attendees with a collaborative venue to investigate alternative monitoring strategies and establish a peer network for ongoing consultation. Attendees will leave equipped with practical tools and evidence-informed approaches to implement at their institutions, ultimately improving patient access to this life-saving medication.
  • Speakers
    • Danial Chowdhury, PharmD, BCPP; Clinical Psychiatric Pharmacist, Brandt Behavioral Health Center and Retreat; Clinical Associate Professor, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
  • Moderators
    • Ashley Maister, PharmD, BCPP; Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner, Psychiatry; Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center
    • Vincent Cavaliere, PharmD, MM, BCPP; Clinical Assistant Director of Pharmacy, Spring Grove Hospital Center - University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

Leading medication education groups is a key role for many psychiatric pharmacists. These group sessions provide patients an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the purpose of their medications. Within these discussions, pharmacists often receive questions about “high risk” medications that may pose safety concerns, cause drug interactions, or otherwise impact their health care. While patients and medical professionals may hold different perspectives on the role of these medications, it is often a pharmacist’s role to acknowledge the patient’s desires and concerns while providing education and promoting safe medication practices. This interactive session encourages pharmacists to reflect on their responses to challenging and controversial scenarios regarding medication use in mental health treatment. During this session, participants will collaborate with peers to respond to real-world scenarios and learn from other’s experiences. We aim to connect with peers across the country to share experiences and explore challenges that pharmacists face in providing patient-centered education during patient education groups. 
  • Speakers/Moderators
    • Amanda Smith, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP; Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Psychiatry Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital
    • Savanna LaFlamme, PharmD; Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Psychiatry Carilion New River Valley Medical Center

​The therapeutic landscape for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is rapidly evolving, presenting new opportunities and challenges for psychiatric pharmacists practicing within neurology and geriatric care. Growth in disease modifying therapies—including advances in anti amyloid monoclonal antibodies, emerging oral agents, and biomarker guided approaches—is redefining early stage treatment. Recently approved subcutaneous autoinjector formulations for lecanemab offer more accessible maintenance phase options, while next generation antibodies such as remternetug promise additional injectable pathways to improve adherence and expand access. This session will equip pharmacists with practical, clinically relevant insights into these innovations and their implementation within interdisciplinary care. This session will include clinical pearls and expert insights in a combined presentation and panel discussion format.

  • Speakers
    • Monica Fahmy, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP; Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist I – Neurology, PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency Program Coordinator, Yale New Haven Hospital
    • Marketa Marvanova, PharmD, PhD, BCGP, BCPP, FASCP; Dean and Professor, Pacific University School of Pharmacy
  • Moderators
    • Alissa Scalise, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP; Clinical Assistant Professor, The University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy
    • Kayla Johnson, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP; Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    • Shannon Menard-Okoroike, PharmD; Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
    • Archana Jhawar, PharmD, BCPP; Clinical Assistant Professor, Herbert M. and Carol H. Retzky College of Pharmacy

12:15-1:00 PM

The idea exchange presented by the Residency Program Director (RPD) community will discuss strategies for maintaining passionate and focused leadership in residency education during times of significant organizational and cultural changes. Over the past several years, we have seen residency applications and enrollment decline, along with reduced interest in pursuing PGY2 specialty residencies. We have also seen an increase in preceptor burnout as pressure around productivity for pharmacist providers has increased while precepting expectations have been maintained. This idea exchange will create an avenue for discussion in identifying recent challenges encountered in training the next generation of pharmacy learners. In addition to identifying challenges faced by preceptors, RPDs, and trainees in the current climate, this session will also provide an opportunity to brainstorm strategies to overcome these barriers and to promote perseverance among educators and learners.

  • Speakers/Moderators
    • Andrea Winterswyk, PharmD, BCPP; Deputy VISN 20 Pharmacist Executive, Academic Detailing Pharmacy Program Manager - VA Northwest Health Network (VISN 20), PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency Program Director - Boise VA Medical Center
    • Jeanne Peterson, PharmD, BCPP; Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Supervisor, Mental Health, PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency Program Director - VA Portland Health Care System

Monday, April 20

1:00-2:00 PM

This session provides a comprehensive overview of cannabis education for healthcare providers, patients, and students. It discusses the legal implications of cannabis, including its scheduling and regulations, to help providers navigate legal complexities and ensure safe patient care. Patients will learn how to read cannabis labels, focusing on THC/CBD content, dosing, and health effects to make informed decisions. The session also addresses cannabis education in academic settings, highlighting key topics like pharmacology, therapeutic uses, and policy, preparing students for cannabis-related issues in clinical practice. Ultimately, the session aims to promote responsible, informed cannabis use across the spectrum of healthcare and education.

  • Speakers
    • Kari L. Franson, PharmD, PhD; Professor, USC Mann School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
    • Megan Maroney PharmD, BCPP, FAAPP; Clinical Associate Professor, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
    • Daniel Greer, PharmD, BCPP; Clinical Associate Professor, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
  • Moderator
    • Zoe Karavolis, PharmD, MPH, BCPP, CPH; Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner, VA Phoenix Health Care System

2:10-3:10 PM

​Psychiatry Medical Affairs professionals (inclusive of MSLs) play an often misunderstood role in the development, dissemination, and application of evidence-based medicine in psychiatry. Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacists (BCPPs) tend to encounter Medical Affairs professionals through clinical discussions, research inquiries and educational interactions, yet many BCPPs could further optimize their conversations to engage productively. This interactive idea exchange session will demystify “what really happens” within Medical Affairs from a practical, real-world perspective. Designed specifically for BCPPs, the session will clarify the structure, objectives, and ethical guardrails of Medical Affairs and the MSL role, with an emphasis on scientific exchange rather than promotion. Participants will actively explore common misconceptions, identify effective ways to ask and answer scientific questions, and discuss strategies for bidirectional exchange that supports clinical decision-making and patient care. By the end of the session, BCPPs will leave with concrete communication strategies, greater confidence in engaging Medical Affairs professionals, and a clearer understanding of how collaborative scientific exchange can strengthen evidence-based psychiatric practice.

  • Speakers/Moderators
    • Ajarvis Cobb, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP, CPh; Medical Science Liaison
    • Jarrett Johnson, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP, CPh; Medical Science Liaison

3:30-4:30 PM

Psychiatric pharmacists may face barriers to conducting successful research projects at their clinical sites, especially if they are not in an academic or research-based position. A panel of non-academic psychiatric pharmacists will discuss topics such as how they completed meaningful research projects, barriers to conducting research, skills necessary, funding, and demonstrating value to employers.

  • Speakers
    • Katie MacCamy, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP; Pharmacist, University of Washington Medical Center
    • Katelyn Bye, PharmD; Clinical Neurology and Psychiatric Pharmacist; Mayo Clinic
    • Kayla Johnson, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP; Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
  • Moderators
    • Kristin Waters, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP; Associate Clinical Professor
    • Bennett Doughty, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP; Medical Science Liaison, Field Based Medicine, Psychiatry, Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.

Tuesday, April 21

12:15-1:00 PM

​Limitations in health literacy are associated with reduced preventative care usage, worsened health outcomes, including poorer mental health; poorer medication adherence; and medication self-management. In addition to socioeconomic factors affecting health literacy in the U.S., immigrants tend to have lower health literacy levels than those born and raised within the U.S. In 2025, the Pew Research Center estimated that immigrants comprised 15.4% of the U.S. population, comprising nearly one-fifth of the U.S. labor force. This discussion is especially timely given current U.S. legal policies affecting immigrants, which may exacerbate mental health concerns, reinforce distrust of the healthcare system, and reduce engagement with healthcare services. The 2025 Kaiser Family Foundation/New York Times’s Survey of Immigrants found that up to 80% of likely undocumented immigrants have experienced negative health impacts due to immigration concerns, alongside increased avoidance of governmental assistance and insurance programs, and higher rates of delayed or forgone healthcare. Psychiatric pharmacists fall at the crossroads of these disparities and benefit from being better equipped to recognize the needs of these patients and to provide more culturally sensitive care. This emerging data highlights the need for focused discussion amongst psychiatric pharmacists, who serve as integral members of mental health care teams and play a critical role in addressing medication access barriers.  

  • Speaker
    • To be announced
  • Moderators
    • Andrew Chantha Hean, PharmD, APh, BCPS, BCPP; Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, Western University of Health Sciences
    • Carolanne Wartman, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP; Assistant Clinical Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Arizona

1:00-2:00 PM

​The Teaching Communities is hosting an Ideal Exchange (IE) session focused on ways to incorporate Mental Health First Aid into the curriculum in schools of pharmacy. This IE is intended for anyone currently involved or interested in doing Mental Health First Aid in pharmacy education and equip student pharmacists with essential skills for recognizing and responding to mental health crises in their communities. The IE features three faculty speakers who have incorporated Mental Health First Aid at their institutions and offer pearls from their experience in implementing this training for their students. Following the presentations from each speaker, there will be a moderated Q&A, and it will serve as a forum for discussion for any attendees to share thoughts and offer their perspectives. The goal of this IE is to provide time for the attendees to gain and share insight from others’ experiences and identify strategies to incorporate Mental Health First Aid into their curriculum.

  • Speakers
    • Farah Khorassani, PharmD, BCPP; Health Sciences Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice, University of California, Irvine School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
    • Katelynn Mayberry, PharmD; Clinical Assistant Professor Department of Pharmacy Practice, Mercer University College of Pharmacy
    • Kelly N. Gable, PharmD, BCPP, FAAPP; Professor, Pharmacy Practice, Director of Well-being and Resilience, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy
  • Moderators
    • Ingrid Chou, PharmD, BCPP; Clinical Assistant Professor/Clinical Pharmacist; Rutgers University
    • Mei T. Liu, PharmD, BCPP; Clinical Assistant Professor Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University

2:10-3:10 PM

​Psychiatric pharmacy is a relatively new specialty within pharmacy. As such, many healthcare institutions have not previously employed a dedicated psychiatric pharmacist. This emerging area offers opportunities for new practitioners to be the first psychiatric pharmacist at an institution and to take on roles that may not be officially designated as "psychiatric pharmacist.” Often, these positions can be blended with other responsibilities within the pharmacy department. These positions can seem intimidating, especially with information recall outside of psychiatric pharmacy and finding a way to blend multiple areas of expertise. The goal of this session is to discuss how to balance the responsibilities of being a clinical pharmacist, demonstrate the benefits of psychiatric pharmacy to a department, and build relationships.

  • Speaker
    • Bridgette Gleisner, PharmD, BCPP; Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Internal Medicine/Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
  • Moderator
    • Miranda Johnson, PharmD, BCPP; Pharmacist Coordinator, UNC Hospitals Youth Behavioral Health

3:30-4:30 PM

​Pediatric catatonia is being seen and treated more commonly across the country. Most treatment decisions must be made utilizing adult research and relying on experience of the treatment team. High dose benzodiazepines and ECT tend to be first line therapy, however this is complicated be the recent lorazepam vial shortage, as well as access barriers to ECT, especially for children and adolescents. Child and adolescent psychiatric pharmacists play a large role in guiding safe and effective medication management for these patients. The moderators will review available data and guideline recommendations, and lead discussion with peers on current practice successes and opportunities, with an emphasis on patient safety and overcoming treatment barriers.

  • Speakers/Moderators
    • Danielle Stutzman, PharmD, BCPP; Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Pharmacist, Pediatric Mental Health Institute, Children’s Hospital Colorado
    • Lauren Leiby, PharmD, BCPP; Behavioral Health Clinical Pharmacist, Nationwide Children’s Hospital