Amy Werremeyer, PharmD, BCPP-AAPP President
Welcome to our January AAPP Perspectives featuring articles commissioned by our Resident and New Practitioner Committee around the topic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Since DEI is critically important and one of the primary drivers in the AAPP strategic plan, I am excited to learn from my peers who have authored featured articles on:
- Addressing Mental Health Inequity in Your Community
- Navigating the Intersection of Social Determinants and Mental Health in Patient Care
- Cultivating Inclusive Learning Environments in Pharmacy Education
- Embracing Telehealth to Increase Access to Care
Initiatives surrounding DEI are among the many New Year’s Resolutions on AAPP’s docket for 2024. Increased and varied volunteer activities, even more intentionality in topic and speaker selection for educational activities, and possible DEI awards and grants are just a few of the priorities rising to the top within AAPP’s draft DEI plan to be finalized by the Board this spring. Additionally, our top 5 mission critical AAPP New Year’s resolutions for 2024 are highlighted below.
- The 2024 Outcomes Initiative: Three finalists have been identified with up to two $250,000 research grants to be awarded by AAPP and the Foundation based on finalist presentations at AAPP 2024. Over the next few years, the profession will benefit from the generation of high-quality large sample size (n) data sets that evaluate the impact of integrating psychiatric pharmacists into team-based mental health care through studies with multiple research sites and investigators.
- Evaluating AAPP Annual Meeting Site Selection Criteria: Ensuring we offer an inclusive Annual Meeting where all individuals feel welcome, the Board will be obtaining the input of all AAPP members through surveys, focus groups, and a virtual member forum focused on AAPP’s current and envisioned Annual Meeting site selection criteria. Additionally, the Board will be meeting with site selection experts who will further instruct the Board on the process and market forces inherent in site selection. The goal will be to consider all of these sources of input and finalize and announce updated criteria no later than fall of 2024.
- Advancing Psychiatric Pharmacy through Publications: Over the past 2 years, AAPP’s Commission on Innovation and Advancement (CIA) has supported several member author groups and produced numerous articles showcasing and charting an aggressive direction for the profession. Among these are the AAPP vision paper, the psychotropic stewardship paper, a child and adolescent psychiatry paper, and more. We aren’t stopping there. Yet to come are profession specific articles on recommended core outcomes measurement, workload/burnout, harm reduction, workforce policy, clozapine consensus guidelines, and more.
- Elevating the Profile of Psychiatric Pharmacy: This spring, the AAPP Board will consider the Fellowship Task Force’s recommendation to launch an AAPP Fellow Program. Information and announcements will be made at AAPP 2024 with hopes we will be installing the first class of fellows in 2025. Immediately on the heels of this potential new member program, AAPP will be convening a task force of members to consider what additional awards AAPP should be offering to recognize the amazing work being conducted daily by psychiatric pharmacists.
- Pushing Policy Makers to Pay for our Services: Meetings, letters, issue briefs and grassroots support will be escalated and targeted to federal committees of jurisdiction, regulators, and other policymakers. The mental health and substance use disorder crises demand the expansion of the mental health workforce and psychiatric pharmacists should be the first in line to be tapped. We will continue to work solely as an organization, and with our pharmacy association colleagues to build doors enabling our members to practice at the height of their license and get paid for it.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the volunteers that make this aggressive agenda possible. The AAPP Board and staff don’t do this work alone. Hundreds of AAPP members work together on tasks big and small to continue to push the envelope, move the needle, scale the mountains….. In fact, over 16% of our active and resident members will serve on a committee or task force in 2024-2025. Further proof that it takes all of us to do the work to carry the message forward that Psychiatric Pharmacists are Critical Members of the Treatment Team, Impacting Patient Outcomes and Costs, and Should be Paid Accordingly.
