ACA Annual Conference & Expo 2025: A Celebration of Learning, Leadership, and Innovation

The 2025 American College of Apothecaries Annual Conference & Expo brought together pharmacists from across the country for a dynamic mix of education, networking, and celebration. From groundbreaking CE sessions to inspiring leadership addresses, the conference offered something for every member—whether attending in person or following updates from afar.

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Thursday Night Welcome Dinner: Honoring Leadership and History

The conference kicked off Thursday evening with the Welcome Dinner, a memorable evening that combined celebration, recognition, and reflection. During the dinner, ACA welcomed its newest Fellows and installed incoming officers, honoring individuals who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to advancing pharmacy practice and supporting the profession.

This year is a milestone for our College—2025 marks ACA’s 85th anniversary. For more than eight decades, ACA has stood as a community of pharmacists committed to innovation, education, and professional excellence. To celebrate that legacy while also looking ahead to an exciting future, ACA Fellow and Past President Carolyn Hilscher delivered a special address reflecting on the organization’s long history of supporting excellence in pharmacy and highlighting the vision for the future, as well as the impact ACA had made on her pharmacy career.

2025-2026 ACA Officers and Directors:

• ACA Chairman of the Board—Nicholas Smock, PharmD, MBA, FACA, Kansas City, Missouri
• ACA President—Hillary Howell, PharmD, CCN, FACA, IFMCP, Oxford, Michigan
• ACA President Elect—Steve Zielinski, PharmD, FACA, Webster Groves, Missouri
• ACA Secretary/Treasurer—Neil Leikach, RPh, FACA, Reisterstown, Maryland
• Directors:
  • Anthony Accuputo, PharmD, RPh, FACA, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
  • Sheldon Birch, PharmD, FACA, Tooele, Utah
  • Bruce Biundo, RPh, FACA, Houston, Texas
  • Rich Dilzer, RPh, FAPC, FACA, Long Valley, New Jersey
  • Danneasha Ellerson, PharmD, BCPS, Gahanna, Ohio
  • Ben Smith, RPh, FACA, Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada
  • L. Michelle Woosley, PharmD, MBA, CM&AP, FACA, Louisville, Kentucky

“ACA is more than a professional group. It’s a community, a think tank, and a support system…where the future of independent pharmacy is shaped.”

Incoming ACA President Hillary Howell, PharmD, FACA, CCN, IFMCP, delivered an inspiring address emphasizing adaptation, engagement, and leadership in the evolving pharmacy landscape. Hillary thanked the ACA Fellows and members for their continued commitment to and support of the College and shared her vision for the next year—to honor traditions, meet challenges with boldness, and prepare the next generation to lead with heart and innovation. She concluded by reminding the audience that “together, we’ll continue to make ACA a home for independent thinkers, forward movers, and compassionate caregivers.”

Becoming a Fellow of the American College of Apothecaries is more than an honor—it is a commitment. It signifies a standard of excellence, a devotion to lifelong learning, and a pledge to uphold the values and mission of this College. The new ACA Fellows inducted this year have distinguished themselves through their knowledge, leadership, and service.

• Khalid Boukhatem, PharmD, FACA, Hopkinton, Massachusetts**
• L. Rad Dillon, RPh, MA, ASQ SSGB, FACA, Loveland, Colorado
• Alexandria Gochenauer, PharmD, DICVP, FACA, FSVHP, Lafayette, Indiana**
• John Herr, RPh, FAPC, FACA, Ramsey, New Jersey**
• Jo Ah Lee, PharmD, MBA, BCSCP, FACA, Wylie, Texas
• Logan Morse, PharmD, ABAAHP, FAAMFM, FACA, Ada, Michigan**
• L. Michelle Woosley, PharmD, MBA, CM&AP, FACA, Louisville, Kentucky

** Inducted in absentia

Educational Sessions: Learning that Inspires and Equips

The conference featured a robust lineup of continuing education sessions, providing attendees with actionable strategies, clinical insights, and innovative ideas to apply in their practices. Philip Cowley, also known as “Phil’s My Pharmacist,” energized attendees with strategies for leveraging social media, building patient relationships, and promoting pharmacy services. Kathy Campbell shared practical insights into implementing fee-for-service programs and enhancing patient care delivery. Jessica Beal-Stahl explored testing strategies for optimizing athlete health and performance, highlighting opportunities for pharmacists in sports medicine.

Pharmacogenomics sessions featured foundational knowledge from Amy-Joan Ham and actionable guidance from Sue Paul on applying pharmacogenomics in real-world pharmacy business models. Michelle Woosley addressed trends and compliance in compounding, while Bryan Prince provided strategies for safer, more efficient compounding workflows. Randy Carr explored veterinary compounding applications. Jennifer Adams presented sessions on drug shortages and empowering pharmacy personnel with state-by-state regulatory guidance and standard-of-care frameworks.

Attendees left these sessions with practical takeaways they could immediately implement, ranging from workflow optimization and marketing strategies to patient-centered care and regulatory compliance.

Exhibitors & Networking

The exhibit hall showcased a variety of partners offering products, services, and innovations to support pharmacy practice. Attendees had opportunities to connect, explore new solutions, and strengthen relationships that enhance both patient care and business operations.  Thanks to all of our exhibitors and sponsors for their support. We appreciate their participation with with the latest innovations, tools, and services that help us stay ahead in our field. Our supporters provide us with fresh ideas and solutions that inspire and drive progress.

• AirClean Systems
• ARL Bio Pharma
• Boiron USA
• Klutch Cargo
• Pharma Source Direct
• Sandlot Partners
• Topi-CLICK
• ZRT LABORATORY
• And sponsors: Gates Healthcare, International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding (IJPC), American College of Apothecaries Research and Education Foundation, RXinsider, American College of Veterinary Pharmacists

The Exhibitor Passport game encouraged attendees to visit each booth and answer a fun trivia question about the exhibitor in order to enter for a chance to win a door prize. Exhibitor Spotlights gave each participant the opportunity to share information directly with the attendees during a meal or break.

A Little Fun: Nick Smock, Honorary Duckmaster

The conference also featured lighter moments, including new ACA Board Chair Nick Smock serving as Honorary Duckmaster for the legendary Peabody Hotel Duck March on Friday. Attendees enjoyed this tradition—and now Nick can officially add those credentials to his business cards!
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Looking Ahead

The 2025 ACA Conference reaffirmed why continuing education, collaboration, and innovation are at the heart of independent pharmacy. Memphis and the Peabody Hotel provided a truly one-of-a-kind setting for this time together. Attendees left equipped, inspired, and connected, ready to implement new strategies, expand their services, and elevate patient care.