Wow-what an exciting ride! This past year has been an amazing opportunity as President leading such a tremendous group of individuals. Upon the heels of another record-breaking Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, our 22nd Annual Meeting, your Board continues to advocate on your behalf with myself, Lisa Goldstone, and Carla Cobb completing Hill visits and a meeting with CMS in the last two weeks. There were times the days felt long, but I can’t believe how quickly this past year has gone. I’d like to take this moment to reflect on the Annual Meeting and some of the highlights of this past year.
The 22nd Annual Meeting, Where Pharmacy and Psychiatry Meet, had a record-breaking 952 current and aspiring health care professional attendees. This four-day conference featured nearly 30 hours of cutting-edge scientific presentations, three symposia, two product theaters and over 240 scientific posters. Jennifer Bean, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, with the VA-Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, served as Program Chair of the CPNP Annual Meeting. She did an excellent job leading the programming committee to another year of cutting-edge presentations. Sarah Melton, PharmD, BCPP, BCACP, FASCP, Professor of Pharmacy Practice, with the Gatton College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University, served as chair of Recertification continuing education. Thank you both and your committees for all of the hard work and time you devoted to ensuring the learning at our meeting is top-notch.
As I wind down my term as President of CPNP at the end of June, I look back with pride on all that the organization has accomplished this past year as well as excitement as I think of all the organization is poised to accomplish on behalf of the profession. Our CPNP 2019 Forum on our Future slide deck and our April 2019 edition of CPNP Perspective provides you with a detailed overview of our strategic plan progress. While there are so many activities and so many memories, my top 5 include:
As I prepare to pass the torch to President-Elect Lisa Goldstone, I know I am leaving CPNP in the hands of a great leader, one who is likely to carry that torch further than I could. However, CPNP is like a team sport and we all need to keep working together to help our elected leaders. Continue to stay active and volunteer within the organization, promote psychiatric pharmacy, publish your accomplishments, and work to improve the lives of those with mental illness as well as substance use and neurologic disorders.
Remember, that though the days are sometimes long, the years are short. Remain grounded but dream and dream big. You never know where the wind may blow you or what your destiny may lead you.