News Release

The American College of Apothecaries Research and Education Foundation has announced a gift from ACA Member Terri Hall Klouda in memory of her late husband, former ACA President and Chairman Bernie Klouda. The gift will be used to establish the Bernie Klouda Memorial Student Scholarship Fund, which will provide assistance to pharmacy students in financial need.

“Bernie never wanted financial need to be a barrier for students interested in the profession of pharmacy,” said Terri. “He loved having students rotate through his pharmacy and serving as a mentor to them. The Bernie Klouda Memorial Student Scholarship Fund will allow the ACA Foundation to help students who may need assistance with expenses ranging from tuition and books, to rent and groceries.”

The ACA Foundation has set an initial goal to raise a minimum of $100,000 in order to create an endowment for the Bernie Klouda Memorial Student Scholarship Fund. The 1^st Annual Klouda Classic Golf Tournament will be held on August 20 in conjunction with the ACA Fall Pharmacy Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. All proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Bernie Klouda Memorial Student Scholarship Fund. Information for sponsors and players is available at www.kloudaclassic.org.

“This much-needed fund will ease the burden of future students and work to reduce barriers to their success,” said John Oftebro, President of the ACA Foundation. “We commend this vision and accept the challenge of raising the balance of the funds needed to fully endow the Bernie Klouda Memorial Student Scholarship Fund.”

Bernard “Bernie” Klouda was the owner of Bernie’s Pharmacy in Anchorage, Alaska. As a youth, he was encouraged to pursue a career in pharmacy by a pharmacist working in one of his family’s drug stores. During his nearly 35 years as a pharmacy owner, Bernie enjoyed mentoring pharmacy students and young pharmacists and sharing his perspective and experiences in independent pharmacy.

Over his distinguished career, Bernie served as President, Chairman of the Board, and a Regional Director for the American College of Apothecaries, as well as a member of the ACA Foundation Board of Directors.  Bernie received the first Lifetime Achievement Award from the ACA Foundation in 2014. Bernie was also a Past President of the Alaska Pharmacy Association, receiving the Bowl of Hygiea Pharmacy Award in 2002 and Pharmacist of the Year in 2013.

The American College of Apothecaries (ACA) and American College of Veterinary Pharmacists (ACVP) recently completed an agreement with the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) designed to increase pharmacy students’ exposure to independent community pharmacy.

“Through this relationship with NCPA, we are excited to be able to offer our new student members access to educational experiences that will complement their academic courses and NCPA activities,” said ACA Executive Vice President Ed Hesterlee. “The chance to participate in classes and programming alongside of working pharmacy professionals who bring their own perspectives is invaluable for students interested in a career in community pharmacy.”

When pharmacy school students join NCPA, they also have the option to join ACA and ACVP for no additional fee. As a result students are given access to additional opportunities for networking and building relationships with established independent community pharmacy practitioners. The new student members of ACA and ACVP will also be eligible for special student pricing on the College’s webinars, pharmaceutical compounding training courses, and conferences.

“NCPA is dedicated to helping grow the universe of independent community pharmacy owners, so this partnership with ACA and ACVP is another way to increase student exposure to these small business health care providers,” said NCPA President Bradley J. Arthur, RPh, co-owner of Black Rock Pharmacy and Brighton-Eggert Pharmacy in Buffalo, N.Y. “This is a mutually beneficial relationship we look forward to fostering for a long period of time.”

ACA and ACVP student members are also eligible to apply for scholarships through the ACA Research and Education Foundation. Scholarships are awarded twice yearly; application requirements are available at Student Scholarship Criteria.

The ACA Foundation Scholarships and Travel Grants are designed to recognize students who have demonstrated academic success and commitment to leadership, entrepreneurism, or compounding. Student members from all years are encouraged to apply.

Already this year, over 3,700 pharmacy students have opted to join ACA or ACVP through the NCPA Student Member application.

Founded in 1940, the American College of Apothecaries is a professional pharmacy organization dedicated to advancing the entrepreneurial spirit of member pharmacists through education, innovation, mentoring, fellowship, and training.  In 1999, a group of ACA Fellows created the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists in order to focus on helping veterinarians provide high quality therapies and services for their animal patients.

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA®) represents the interests of America’s community pharmacists, including the owners of more than 22,000 independent community pharmacies. Together they represent an $81.4 billion health care marketplace and employ more than 314,000 individuals on a full or part-time basis. To learn more, go to www.ncpanet.org, visit facebook.com/commpharmacy, or follow NCPA on Twitter @Commpharmacy.

2015 ACA Member of the Year Linda McElhiney with ACA Executive Vice-President Ed Hesterlee

CORONADO, CA, February 26, 2016:  The American College of Apothecaries presented the 2015 ACA Member of the Year Award to Linda McElhiney, PharmD, MSP, RPh, FIACA, FASHP, FIACP of Indianapolis, Indiana, at the College’s 2016 Annual Educational Conference.  The presentation was made during the Presidents’ Banquet Friday evening at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort.  The award is presented to a member of the College for exceptional accomplishment and effort in promoting the College and community pharmacy.

Dr. McElhiney has dedicated herself to advancing the science of compounding throughout her professional career through her roles as the Compounding Pharmacist-in Charge for Indiana University Health, the author of articles pertaining to hospital compounding for the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding, author of the Compounding Guide for Ophthalmic Preparations, and contributor to both pharmacy and medical textbooks. Dr. McElhiney was a member of the USP Committee of Experts for Compounding for the 2010-2015 cycle.

Dr. McElhiney has served the pharmacy profession through numerous committees for the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Kappa Epsilon, and IACP. She is a former board member for IACP and currently serves on the ACA Board of Directors.

A full fellow of ACA, ASHP, and IACP, Dr. McElhiney has been recognized before for her contributions and commitment to pharmacy. In 1989, she received the Unicorn Award for her active participation in Kappa Epsilon and in 2010, she received the KE/Merck Vanguard Leadership Award, which honors exemplary women pharmacists. Dr. McElhiney was awarded the Scheffe Scholarship by the ACA Foundation in 2012.

Since receiving a BS in Pharmacy from Purdue University in 1984, Dr. McElhiney has continued to expand her education. In 2002, she earned a PharmD from the University of Florida through the Working Professionals PharmD (WPPD) program while working full-time at IU Health. She has recently completed the ASHP Pharmacy Leadership Academy and is a 2014 graduate of the University of Florida Master of Pharmacy program with a focus on Institutional Leadership.

The following independent pharmacists were installed as officers of the American College of Apothecaries during its 2016 Annual Educational Conference in Coronado, California:

Chairman — Jerome Greene, RPh, FACA

Jerry Greene is a pharmacist and owner of San Diego Compounding Pharmacy.  After receiving his baccalaureate degree from Western Michigan University in 1982, Jerry then went on to receive his pharmacy degree at the University of the Pacific.  Jerry served two (1 year terms) as President of the San Diego Chapter of the California Pharmacists Association after 6 years on their Board of Directors. Since 2002, Jerry has held an Assistant Clinical Professor’s position at The University of California San Diego’s Skaggs School of Pharmacy.  Jerry was inducted as an ACA Fellow in 2003 and served three (4 year terms) as Region 12 Director for the ACA. He is a member of The American Pharmacists Association (APhA), The International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP), The California Pharmacists Association (CPhA), The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and is a Lifetime Member of The Harley Owners Group (HOG).

President — Thomas J. Hunt, RPh, FACA, FACVP

Tom Hunt received his B.S. degree in pharmacy from St. Louis College of Pharmacy in 1980 and his MBA from St. Louis University in 1986. Between 1980 and 1990, Tom worked as a staff pharmacist, pharmacy manager, district manager and business consultant to franchisees.  In 1990 he purchased Lindenwood Drug. Currently Tom has ownership in two pharmacies in the St. Louis area. In addition to his responsibilities as a pharmacist, manager and owner, Hunt is an adjunct clinical instructor at St. Louis College of Pharmacy and affiliate clinical faculty at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.  Tom has served as ACA Regional Director for Region 7 for several years.  He is also a member of the Missouri Pharmacist Association, NCPA, APhA, IACP, and the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists.

President-Elect — Ryan Oftebro, PharmD, FACA, FACVP

Ryan Oftebro is a pharmacist and co-owner of Kelley-Ross and Associates, Inc. which consists of four pharmacies in Seattle, WA. Ryan received his PharmD from the University of Washington in 2003, and completed a Community Practice Residency in 2004. Ryan currently oversees community and clinical services at Kelley-Ross which include programs with the Polyclinic and other community based healthcare organizations. Ryan has previously held a board position with the Washington State Pharmacy Association and is currently the Region 11 Director for the American College of Apothecaries as well as a Clinical Associate Professor with the University of Washington School of Pharmacy.

Vice-President — David B. Liebman, RPh, FACA, FACVP

David Liebman received his B.S. degree in pharmacy from the Medical College of Virginia School of Pharmacy. He earned a Master of Hospital Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a second Master’s degree and a Doctor of Public Administration from Nova University. He currently owns and operates Kaye’s EPIC Pharmacy, a community and compounding pharmacy in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Liebman served on the USP’s Expert Advisory Panel for Pharmacy Compounding and was also appointed to the USP’s Compounding Monograph Committee and assisted in writing USP Chapter 795. Concurrently with his USP appointment, David served on the FDA’s Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee. He has also served as a Clinical Adjunct for the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Service PEP Program for the University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy. His professional memberships include the Maryland Pharmaceutical Association and the American College of Apothecaries, where he serves as the director of Region 3. He holds memberships in the ACVP and IACP. David Served on the National Advisory Board for the VCU-MCV School of Pharmacy.

Treasurer — Steven Pryor, PharmD, FACA

Steven Pryor received B.S. degree in pharmacy in 1981 and Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 2005.  Steve is currently the managing partner of Scheffe Prescription Shop in Enid, Oklahoma.  His professional interests are focused on patient care in community retail pharmacy. His local memberships include Enid Rotary Club, Enid Chamber of Commerce, and Main Street Enid.  He is also member of the Oklahoma Pharmacists Association and National Community Pharmacists Association. He has served as District Director of both the Oklahoma Pharmacist Association and Kansas Pharmacist Association. Steven has been a member of ACA for over 20 years and is currently serving as Region 8 Director and Treasurer.  Steven has been married to wife Donna for 32 years, and has three children.

Douglas Hoey, RPh, MBA, FACA, 2015 J. Leon Lascoff Memorial Award Recipient and ACA President Jerry Green, RPh, FACA

The American College of Apothecaries presented the 2014-2015 J. Leon Lascoff Memorial Award to Brian Douglas Hoey, Alexandria, Virginia, during the College’s Fall Pharmacy Conference, conducted August 14-15 at Denver Mariott Tech Center Hotel in Denver, Colorado.

The J. Leon Lascoff Memorial Award is presented to an individual in recognition of outstanding contributions to professional pharmacy. It is the highest award presented by the College for service to the profession and has been presented to some of the most outstanding pharmacy educators, practitioners, other health care professionals, and individuals serving in leading legislative positions.

Brian Douglas (Doug) Hoey, RPh, MBA, FACA, the 2015 recipient of the J. Leon Lascoff award, is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Community Pharmacists Association. He has spent over 25 years working in and representing community pharmacies.

The National Community Pharmacists Association represents the owners, operators, and managers of more than 23,000 pharmacy small businesses.  Over 50% of NCPA’s members are in rural areas and many others serve underserved citizens. These pharmacies provide jobs for more than 300,000 people in their communities and consumers consistently rank them as the top rated pharmacies in the country.

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The following independent pharmacists were installed as officers of the American College of Apothecaries during its 2015 Annual Educational Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida:

Chairman of the Board – Jim Martin
Jim Martin is a pharmacist licensed in both Georgia and Texas and has been the co-owner of Martin & Martin Management Consultants, LLC with his wife Dorinda since October 2004.  They currently operate multiple pharmacies in the Austin, Texas area. Martin served as Executive Director and CEO of the Texas Pharmacy Association from 2000 to 2009. He has also served as ACA Region 9 Director. A former Member of the Georgia General Assembly, Martin has also served as President and Chairman of the Board of the Georgia Pharmacy Association and President and Chairman of the Board of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and is a member of the American Pharmacists Association, American College of Apothecaries, the Georgia Pharmacy Association and the Texas Pharmacy Association. Martin currently serves on the Board of Lone Star Co-Op & on the Board of Directors of its Affiliate, Compliant Pharmacy Alliance, LLC, and has been appointed by Texas Governor, Rick Perry to serve on the Board of The Texas Health Service Authority. Martin has been the recipient of multiple awards for leadership in pharmacy including the prestigious Bowl of Hygeia Award and the Pathfinders Award presented by the Texas Pharmacy Foundation.

President – Jerry Greene

Jerry Greene is a pharmacist and owner of San Diego Compounding Pharmacy.  After receiving his baccalaureate degree from Western Michigan University in 1982, Jerry then went on to receive his pharmacy degree at the University of the Pacific.  Jerry served two (1 year terms) as President of the San Diego Chapter of the California Pharmacists Association after 6 years on their Board of Directors. Since 2002, Jerry has held an Assistant Clinical Professor’s position at The University of California San Diego’s Skaggs School of Pharmacy.  Jerry was inducted as an ACA Fellow in 2003 and served three (4 year terms) as Region 12 Director for the ACA. He is a member of The American Pharmacists Association (APhA), The International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP), The California Pharmacists Association (CPhA), The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and is a Lifetime Member of The Hog Owners Group.

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Fort Lauderdale, FL, February 27, 2015: The American College of Apothecaries presented the 2014 Member of the Year Award to Ben Smith, of Uxbridge, Ontario at the College’s 2015 Annual Educational Conference at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The presentation was made during the Presidents Banquet Friday evening, February 27^th. This award, established in 2013, recognizes one ACA member, on an annual basis, for exceptional accomplishment and effort in promoting the College and community pharmacy.

Ben Smith graduated from pharmacy school at the University of Toronto in 1966 and purchased his first pharmacy in 1979 in a small community in Ontario. From there he eventually opened eleven more, mostly in small communities. Each pharmacy has been named Ben’s Pharmacy to have a small town feeling. (more…)

Welcome to the first blog post of the American College of Apothecaries! In addition to our new site which launched last year, we’ve launched a new monthly blog to share important information, inspiration and education! Check back monthly to see our latest posts! (more…)