The Role of a Pharmacy Professional Organization in Managing the COVID-19 Pandemic

On Episode 9 of Leadership Lessons in Health-System Pharmacy, you will hear from Paul W. Abramowitz, Pharm.D., Sc.D. (Hon), FASHP, Chief Executive Officer of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), as we discuss the role of a pharmacy professional organization in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to joining ASHP in September 2011, Dr. Abramowitz worked in hospitals and health-systems for 34 year. He served as Associate Hospital Director for Professional Services and Chief Pharmacy Officer at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and Professor at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. In addition to serving as Treasurer of ASHP from 2007-10 and as ASHP President in 1993-94, he has chaired several boards. Dr. Abramowitz received a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry and Biology from Indiana University, a Bachelors Degree in Pharmacy from the University of Toledo, a Pharm.D. from the University of Michigan, and completed his residency at the University of Michigan Medical Center. Dr. Abramowitz has actively combined practice, teaching, and research throughout his career. He is a recipient of many awards and recognitions, including, but not limited to: the John W. Webb Lecture Award, the Harvey A.K. Whitney Lecture Award, and in 2013 the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science from the University of Toledo. In 2015, he was recognized as one of Washington’s Trending Association Leaders by Bisnow. Currently, Dr. Abramowitz serves on the Boards of the American Nurses Foundation, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the GTMRx Institute. He also is a member of the National Steering Committee for Patient Safety of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and a Professor-Emeritus at the University of Iowa. His lectures and publications have focused on topics such as: the effect that pharmacists have on improving outcomes of care and reducing costs; developing new care models; reducing adverse drug events; and expanding comprehensive medication management to the ambulatory setting.