Executive Director Column: Members Shape CPNP, and Me

Brenda Schimenti, CPNP Executive Director

You might recall seeing the phrase “member-driven association” in communications from CPNP like this article. It’s true. We live it and breathe it here at CPNP.

CPNP 2021 is a perfect example of an event shaped by you and for you. With each product evaluation you have completed, each member survey, each member think tank, each needs assessment--you have influenced the design and deliverables to be provided through CPNP 2021. That means a tailor-made experience is awaiting you the week of April 19-23, 2021 including such features as:

• Customized Programming: Your programming committees have designed over 25 hours of content tailored to you on topics such as Antidepressants for Bipolar Disorder, Evaluating Psychotropic Drug Safety in Breastfeeding, Benefits and Risks of Sedative-Hypnotics, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Polytrauma, New Pharmacologic Tools in the Management of Motor Fluctuation in Parkinson's Disease, Role of Newer Antidepressants in Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), and much more! You can also take advantage of a late February pre-meeting workshop on Pharmacogenomics that can be bundled with your CPNP 2021 registration. 
• Recognized Speakers: Well-known and respected psychiatric pharmacists such as Drs. Dopheide, Melton, and Saklad, join nationally recognized physician speakers such as Drs. Peter Buckley, Joseph Goldberg, and Andrew Nierenberg in both real-time and through on-demand sessions to update you on the latest research and practice pearls to improve patient outcomes.
• Networking Galore: Even though we can’t be together in person, there are numerous ways to connect and learn from new and old friends. These activities include community-led idea exchanges, practice setting roundtables, daily debriefs, speed networking, watch parties, CPNP Forum on our Future, and trivia nights.
• Research Conversations: Monday and Tuesday afternoons during CPNP 2021 will be dedicated to learning about and from the psychiatric pharmacy research being conducted across the country. Poster author video summaries, advance publication of posters, and real-time chats with researchers are some of the amazing poster features offered in our virtual world.

CPNP 2021 web pages are being built out as you read this article and as speakers are confirmed. Check back frequently for more information or register now to take advantage of early bird rates.

Speaking of member input, CPNP issues a thanks to the 50 members who volunteered and joined us at our recent strategic planning focus groups around the core areas of advocacy, engagement/community, the future of practice, and the future of our workforce. This input is incredibly valuable to the individuals representing you on the Strategic Planning Committee. Be looking for an additional opportunity to make your voice heard in January as we launch our strategic planning member survey.

As I close this article, I want to emphasize that members are the lifeblood of CPNP. This organization was founded and built for you and by you. Individuals like our dear friend Ann Richards, PharmD, BCPP, who we lost to cancer this week can be some of your greatest professional resources and personal friends. For example, Past President Jerry McKee shared the following regarding Ann:

Ann never hesitated to stop and chat when I gave her a call, or to share a Nebraska/Texas bear hug at CPNP meetings. She was always willing to give the gift of her time and attention- and what a gift. We all know her as a rock solid psych pharmacist, clinical administrator, pharmacy visionary, and great all around friend and she earned these accolades every day. When I was still in state hospital practice, I had her office on speed dial- she was just an incredibly grounded clinical/administrative resource.

I personally know there are hundreds of pharmacists in our membership like Ann because I have the privilege of working alongside you every day. Reap the benefits of the CPNP that you have built alongside colleagues and founding members such as Ann Richards. Whether it is Annual Meeting participation, volunteering, publishing or some other contribution, you have a role in building CPNP and sharing it with others.