Complete Story
OPA Presents: 31 Days of Service
"Leadership is service and there is power in that giving: to help people, to inspire and motivate them to reach their fullest potential".
~Denise Morrison
October is American Pharmacists Month- ‘Easy to Reach, Ready to Help’. It is a time to recognize pharmacists and their contributions to health care and their communities in which they live. OPA offers its “31 Days of Service” social media campaign for American Pharmacists Month. Each daily post will include member spotlights on social media every day through October. We hope you’ll join us in support of your peers and profession:
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Ohio.Pharmacists
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/OhioPharmacists
Not on social media? Be sure to check the Latest News on www.OhioPharmacists.org for updates.
Just as you serve your community, serve the profession that you love! For a limited- time only, new members who join will be offered 3 hours of CPE and the remainder of 2019 with their 2020 membership. In addition, you will receive members-only benefits:
- Personalized service for member calls and questions
- Ohio Pharmacist monthly journal
- Legislative Action Alerts
- Early access and discounted fees for CPE registration – nearly $900 savings per year by attending OPA-sponsored CPE programs
- 2019 Ohio Salary Survey
- Payor Toolkit - a toolkit for OPA members to guide conversations with insurance companies, providers, administrative professionals and other non-pharmacy entities regarding establishment and payment for pharmacist services
- Member-Only access on the OPA website www.ohiopharmacists.org
- Pints & Policy gatherings across the state
You take care of patients. We take care of you.
Day 1 | October 1:
Why does Matt believe OPA membership serves the pharmacy profession? "As with serving through the Boy Scouts, serving the interest of my profession is a responsibility that I feel have to other pharmacists and to myself. In order to preserve the future of what we value in our profession, I feel that I need to contribute towards that preservation and help with future developments to progress our profession towards the next great opportunity. Sitting on the sidelines and expecting others to take care of my profession is a recipe for demise. My working with OPA is a responsibility much like my daily job." Help preserve the profession for future generations, join OPA today!
Matt is a compounding pharmacist and Fellow of the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists. A third-generation pharmacist, Matt is in practice with his father, James Buderer at the Buderer Drug Company.
Day 2 | October 2:
Why does Larry believe OPA membership is important to serving the pharmacy profession? "OPA gives a voice to the profession all across Ohio in a number of ways so regardless of a pharmacists' practice setting, there are resources that everyone can use as well as opportunities to become involved in our profession. I am a past president of OPA and currently serve on the Opiate Task Force as well as the board of the Ohio Pharmacist Foundation." How can you make a difference in your profession? Join OPA today!
Larry is a retail pharmacist that owns a single store in Circleville, Schieber Family Pharmacy.
Day 3 | October 3:
How has OPA membership allowed Deborah to serve her profession? "I feel that volunteering my time as an OPA trustee for District 1 these past 5 years has been eye opening to me personally and a way to represent my fellow pharmacists in a broader way. Taking back important information (such as new laws and rules affecting dispensing) to pharmacists in my district has been very helpful." Stay up-to-date on the latest regulations in the pharmacy profession, join OPA today!
Deb is a retired community pharmacist in Fremont.
Day 4 | October 4:
Why does Jangus feel OPA membership serves the pharmacy profession? "OPA truly is our state association and works in the best interest of Ohio pharmacists...I believe every pharmacist in Ohio should, at the very least, become a member of OPA and support an organization working diligently to represent us." Support the pharmacy profession, join OPA today!
Jangus Whitner currently practices as an ambulatory care Clinical Pharmacist and the 340B Program Manager for PrimaryOne Health.
Day 5 | October 5:
How does membership with OPA help Dan serve the pharmacy profession? "Being a member of the Ohio Pharmacists Association has allowed me to grow personally and professionally through networking with others, gaining a better understanding of how our profession can better serve the citizens of Ohio, and advocating for changes that improve opportunities and enhance patient care." Be a part of the future of pharmacy, join OPA today!
Dan is a pharmacist and entrepreneur with experiences in many practice settings and academic institutions. He is the founder and owner of EduCare4U, a consulting business specializing in education and patient care and co-founder of PGx101.com, a company focused on delivering pharmacogenomics training and education programs to healthcare providers.
Day 6 | October 6:
How does OPA membership allow Tom to serve the pharmacy profession? "I choose to serve as a member of OPA because the organization has a positive impact on our patients and our communities. OPA gives us the tools and connections to make a real difference for the profession and our state." Ready to make an impact on the profession? Join OPA today!
Day 7 | October 7:
What opportunity does OPA membership provide Emlah to serve her profession? "Membership in Ohio Pharmacist Association has given me the opportunity to surround myself with pharmacists who share my passion. Volunteering, and complete immersion in practice makes the difference between a draining and a fulfilling career." Surround yourself by others dedicated to making a difference, join OPA today!
Emlah is the owner and pharmacist at Powell Pharmacy in Powell.
Day 8 | October 8:
How does membership with OPA help Brigid serve the pharmacy profession? "OPA puts the pharmacy profession on the forefront and pushes the envelope to ensure we can practice at the top of our licenses. It engages us across the state in common issues and makes real and valuable changes for our profession. I want to be part of the action, and OPA is where the action is! Joining and remaining a member of OPA is easy because of the value I see in my everyday practice by the efforts of the staff, leadership, and membership." Ready to make a difference on the future of pharmacy? Join OPA today!
Brigid is a Population Health Pharmacist at Partners For Kids (PFK), a pediatric accountable care organization affiliated with Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.
Day 9 | October 9:
Why does Justin believe OPA membership is important to serving the pharmacy profession? "Service to others using the knowledge and training I have been blessed with is central to my faith and life. It is also an integral part of the OPA code of ethics. Volunteering in free clinics is a great way to live out this commitment that we have made to our communities as pharmacists and OPA members. Additionally, two of the central components of OPA's mission are to encourage interprofessional relationships and to promote public health." Looking for opportunities to serve others and your profession? Join OPA today!
Justin is the Chair of Pharmacy Practice at Cedarville University's School of Pharmacy and directs the school's Center for Pharmacy Innovation.
Day 10 | October 10:
How does OPA membership help DeeDee and Randy serve their students and profession? "There is something very rewarding about loving the profession of pharmacy. It then comes full circle with teaching. You are modeling behavior to the students in hopes that they too will be involved in their profession and OPA as pharmacists. Pharmacy in Ohio is at the forefront of many issues in the pharmacy world, and most of that is due to OPA." Pave the way for pharmacy students, the future of pharmacy, join OPA today!
DeeDee is a Pharmacy Practice Instructor at ONU for the last 20 years, teaching compounding and advocacy.
Randy is a third generation pharmacists. He owns and operates Harry's Pharmacy in Carey, a 153 year old independent community pharmacy.
Day 11 | October 11:
Why does Bob believe OPA membership serves the pharmacy profession? "I am still active in OPA because I believe that too many pharmacists are getting a raw deal from many of their employers in that: 1. Big pharma, Big insurance and PBM’s are price gouging the public, and far too many independents are barely getting by due to how their reimbursement is figured...2. I favor provider status for pharmacists with the hope that with the expanded liability of doing more in their practice, the pharmacist not the pharmacy will be financially rewarded for the additional services that many pharmacists are assuming. 3. I believe it is past time that bottom line oriented pharmacies share the liability burden that they have placed on their employee pharmacists by hamstringing them with ridiculous, totally unnecessary work, e.g.: metrics, lack of staff, long hours etc. that is leading to many unnecessary errors that the consequences of which are being borne wholly by the pharmacists, when management is in fact the root cause of many such errors." Take a stand for the pharmacy profession, join OPA today!
Bob retired from pharmacy in 2012.
Day 12 | October 12:
How does being a member of OPA allow you to serve your community and profession? "OPA continues to represent and support our profession so that we can serve our communities to obtain best health outcomes. Whether it is working to ensure patients’ have access to a pharmacist and medications or advancing the practice through practice innovation, OPA supports me by allowing me to continue to practice so that the patient is the center of care." Support the health of your community and profession, join OPA today!
Day 13 | October 13:
Why does Megan believe OPA membership serves the profession? "OPA has provided me with so many opportunities and connections over the years that have directly impacted where I am in my career today. OPA helps me to serve others by facilitating connections, increasing awareness of opportunities and initiatives to enhance patient care, and by advocating for our profession which helps pharmacists, other health care professions, and the public." Serve your community and career, join OPA today!
Megan is a Medication Safety and Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist for OhioHealth Physician Group.
Day 14 | October 14:
How does OPA membership help Joel serve the profession? "I serve OPA because it is the only organization in the state of Ohio that is a voice for Pharmacists. If Pharmacists do not support our only voice, it does not allow our voice to be heard. If we as Pharmacists just sit back and expect other to take care of our problems our problems will never be heard. If we as Pharmacists do not speak up and look to the future, our profession will not survive." Take a stand for pharmacy, join OPA today!
Day 15 | October 15:
Why do Kristen and Kelly believe that OPA membership serves the pharmacy profession? "The importance of professional service to our community and empowering future pharmacists with that same ambition is very important to us as faculty. We believe that engaging our students and instilling these fundamental values is our professional responsibility as OPA members and pharmacists." Pave the way for pharmacy students, the future of pharmacy, join OPA today!
Kristen and Kelly are both faculty members at Ohio Northern University.
Day 16 | October 16:
Why does Mimi believe that OPA membership serves the pharmacy profession? "Every pharmacist in the state should belong to OPA to keep up on what is happening in our profession, stay political and ensure the future viability of our profession. I would like to congratulate everyone at OPA for the fights they have won in the past year for provider status and to revamp the Medicaid system in Ohio and reduce the power of the PBMs." Support the future of pharmacy, join OPA today!
Mimi is the owner of Hart Pharmacy in southwestern Ohio and teaches at the University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy.
Day 17 | October 17:
Why does Thad believe OPA membership serves the profession? "The biggest thing that stands out about OPA is their commitment to follow through on legislation and their overall annual goals. Their advocacy of our profession stands out among the other states within our country. Much of the progress within our profession in the state of Ohio is in part due to Ernie and his team's leadership as they lead change to improve patient lives! I am proud to be a member and I know the increase of our OPA membership to represent the majority of pharmacists in Ohio would only grow positive change within our profession." Make a difference for the pharmacy profession, join OPA today!
Thad is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Vice Chair of Experiential Programs at Cedarville University School of Pharmacy.
Day 18 | October 18:
How has OPA membership helped Cathy serve the pharmacy profession? "Being an OPA member has been important for me to stay connected and contribute to how we advance our profession. There is strength in numbers, and through the work of OPA, including advocacy and education, I have seen and been part of many advancements within our profession. This all goes back to helping patients with our professional expertise." Leave your mark on the profession, join OPA today!
Cathy is Director of Strategy Consulting at Updox in Columbus.
Day 19 | October 19:
Why does Wayne believe OPA membership serves the profession? "I've been a member of OPA since 1959. We are called to care for people and membership, working together, is another way of helping people." Care for your patients, community and profession- join OPA today!
Wayne is a retired pharmacist who owned an independent pharmacy in Columbus for 26 years.
Day 20 | October 20:
Why does Kayla serve as a member of OPA? "Being a member of OPA and serving the profession allows me to see different areas of pharmacy that I don’t always see in my daily job. It also allows me to collaborate with amazing people who are all there to help and serve our patients. I am grateful for the relationships that I have built through OPA as these relationships brought me to this clinic. These relationships have also brought other pharmacists to the clinic so that we are able to be there to provider pharmacy services for our patients/staff members each week." Build relationships and learn new ways to serve, join OPA today!
Kayla is an advanced patient care pharmacist in the Complex Care Clinic at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.
Day 21 | October 21:
How does OPA membership allow Tim to serve his profession? "The most important benefit I receive from OPA has been the networking with practice innovators, educators and thought leaders from across the state. This network has challenged me, motivated me and inspired me on my own professional journey in the pursuit in educating the next generation of pharmacists. This network was made possible through the various involvement opportunities I have had on the board of trustees and executive committee within OPA. In turn, I choose to serve within OPA through assisting with the associations financials and providing members with financial education to help take the financial burden off their shoulders allowing them to be the excellent clinicians and innovators our profession needs." Expand your network, join OPA today!
Tim directs the MS in Health-System Pharmacy Administration (HSPA) Program at Ohio State University.
Day 22 | October 22:
Why does Joe believe that OPA membership serves the pharmacy profession? "Pharmacy has fed, clothed, sheltered and educated me my entire life. My father had a pharmacy in Columbus for many years. He was active in then OSPA and served as president in 1957-58. He taught me the importance of giving and paying forward to the profession which supports you. Membership and active involvement in OPA has helped my keep up with new developments in pharmacy practice; networking with a terrific group of dedicated colleagues; promote public health, and serve the public. Every pharmacist should belong and at least support OPA’s efforts to improve the profession." Established in 1879, OPA membership has become a tradition for many pharmacists. Be a part of the tradition and leave your legacy on the profession, join OPA today!
Joe is a retired pharmacists and consults for long term care pharmacies.
Day 23 | October 23:
How does OPA membership help Marc serve his profession? "I have been a member of OPA for over 25 years and have found that the association has been key for expanding my professional networks and creating opportunities for influence and impact. A single voice is less influential than uniting with others. OPA provides the opportunity to influence legislation, regulations, practice expansion, and challenges while affording an avenue to bring innovation to pharmacy. I have always told our students that the most valuable resource that OPA can give any pharmacist is networking. Jobs are cultivated through discussions more than applications. Opportunities are afforded to those who are seen and engaged. Relationships are one the best resources that we could ever be given." Build your network, join OPA today!
Marc is the Dean of the Cedarville University School of Pharmacy. HE also provides consultation services to organizations and companies on improving their outcomes and reducing costs related to drug therapy.
Day 24 | October 24:
Why does Stacey find OPA membership important to serving the pharmacy profession? "I choose to serve the profession, as a member of OPA, as I want to participate in forward-thinking professional groups. Through the years, OPA has helped me serve others by granting me opportunities to participate in OPA committees and non-OPA committees. These committees have helped me serve the greater good of public health." Serve the public by serving your profession, join OPA today!
Stacey is a consultant pharmacist with specialization in pain, palliative care, senior care, and managed care. She splits her time between consulting for her own business, Jude Rx, and providing leadership at Ohio Northern University Pharmacy Services Center.
Day 25 | October 25:
How does membership with OPA help Dave serve? "OPA helps me to serve others in multiple ways. The continuing education programs help me to keep my knowledge current so that while working I can provide my patients with a skill set that has not atrophied. Secondly, by working with other pharmacists on committees developing new ways to practice, I am able to help the larger pool of pharmacists become more skilled and innovative and provide expanded services for their patients. Finally, by helping to educate legislators on the abilities of pharmacists, OPA helps me (and all pharmacists) do their best to improve the health of the people in Ohio because of legislative changes that have occurred due to the impact on legislators." Sharpen your skills to better serve your patients and profession- join OPA today!
Dave is a retired pharmacist.
Day 26 | October 26:
How does OPA membership allow Sara to serve her profession? "OPA can improve not only furthering our knowledge on an individual scale, but also support our professionals who are working hard every day by giving them a network of like-minded, dedicated professionals with whom they can collaborate; develop friendships with; and finally to strengthen our voice with other health care professions and the legislature... so that we are included in the conversations that impact us and our value is continually appreciated and incorporated into decision making on a regular basis." Expand your network, join OPA today!
Sara is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Psychiatry at the Northeast Ohio Medical University.
Day 27 | October 27:
Why does Justin choose to serve his profession as an OPA member? "OPA has provided me the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. The network of leaders in the profession of pharmacy within OPA allows you to learn from other's experience in the profession and life. OPA has setup very welcoming committees that serve specific areas of the profession that you can join in the area that you are most passionate about. Within the committees, there is an opportunity to take on additional responsibilities or leadership roles, or you are welcome to be a contributing member by attending meetings and voicing your opinion on various matters that influence the profession. As you enter the real world after college, it is often hard to find positive adults that encourage you to be better and do your best without an alternative motive. Within OPA, I have been blessed to find these leaders within the profession that have lifted each other up during good times and bad." Build your support system, join OPA today!
Justin is a Pharmacy Business Specialist for The Kroger Company.
Day 28 | October 28:
Why did Kathy choose to serve the profession through her OPA membership? "I chose to serve the profession as I felt it was very important to give back to the profession that was my gateway to my successful career. I wanted to work to make the profession better, not only for fellow pharmacists, but for our patients. Who knew when I graduated from ONU that we would be giving immunizations? When I look at the expansion of the profession from my graduation, I think of all of the opportunities that opened up to us, but there were obstacles along the way, either from other health professionals, payors, etc. We need to expand the profession without all of the obstacles. I've always been involved with activities and groups, even in high school, so being involved with the mission and goals of OPA was a natural fit. And I believe that working with OPA allowed me to want to do some activities in the community that were based on either need or want once I retired." Advocate to advance the profession, join OPA today!
Day 29 | October 29:
Why does Dan choose OPA membership to serve his profession? "As a young pharmacist in the late 1970’s I began to get involved in OSPA (the former name of OPA). OPA has given me help, materials, coaching and much more." Serve your profession and learn from the best, join OPA today!
Dan is the owner of Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy #1065 in Norton.
Day 30 | October 30:
How does Natalie's membership to OPA serve the pharmacy profession? "OPA is a wonderful organization that I have been able to participate in since I was a pharmacy student. OPA advocates for the varied roles for pharmacists and has been very supportive of pharmacist involvement in public health initiatives. OPA recognizes the important ways in which pharmacists impact public health from the micro to the macro levels." Improve patient care and the profession, join OPA today!
Natalie teaches at Ohio Northern University Raabe College of Pharmacy.
Day 31 | October 31:
Why does Haley choose to serve her future profession as an OPA member? "I chose to serve as an OPA member to increase my connections with students and pharmacists around the state and to enhance my professional skills." Develop your network as a student pharmacist, join OPA today!
Haley is a pharmacist student at University of Toledo.
You serve your family, schools, church, and community. Serve your profession.
