The Ohio Pharmacists Association (OPA) was formed September 2, 1879 in Columbus, Ohio under the name Ohio State Pharmaceutical Association (OSPA).
The purpose of the Association was to elevate the character of the pharmaceutical profession, by uniting the reputable druggists of the state in order to foster the education of those learning the art and thereby stimulate the talent of those engaged in pharmacy. In cooperation with its members and leaders, the present-day OPA continues to function by this purpose and act to positively impact the profession as these past extraordinary individuals did.
The mission of the Ohio Pharmacists Association is to invest in and empower Ohio pharmacists in every setting as the medication expert.
The mission of the Ohio Pharmacists Foundation (OPF) is to provide educational programs for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and consumers of health care that enhance the practice of pharmacy and patient outcomes, and to conduct research to support these efforts.
OPA Executive Fellowship in Leadership and Association Management
The Ohio Pharmacists Association Executive Fellowship in Leadership and Association Management is a postgraduate training program conducted at the Ohio Pharmacists Association headquarters under the direction of the staff of OPA. The fellowship is an excellent experience for those interested in learning all areas that are critical to any successful nonprofit organization and in developing leadership skills.
Impact the future of your profession through OPA advocacy and receive monthly legislative updates. Continue your professional growth with cutting-edge continuing pharmacy education (CPE) which is discounted for members. Keep up-to-date on industry developments via Ohio Pharmacy Newsline, OPA’s bi-weekly e-news brief, and the Ohio Pharmacist bi-monthly journal. Stay connected with Ohio’s pharmacy community through networking opportunities such as OPA’s committees and special interest groups as well as OPA social media. Gain exclusive access to Members Only content including salary surveys, collaborative practice agreements, and more!
OPA, in conjunction with the ACPE-accredited provider Ohio Pharmacists Foundation, provides the quality Continuing Education Programs you need to ensure your professional and business development. We make it simple to obtain your credits toward relicensure and, as an OPA member, you receive substantial discounts on all CPE offerings including:
Live seminars with cutting edge topics and top-notch speakers
In-depth certificate programs on topics such as Immunization and Smoking Cessation
Jurisprudence Education, qualifying for Ohio's CE requirement and much more
The Entrepreneurship Center provides pharmacists and student pharmacists with the business skills needed to be successful in today’s economy. A valuable resource for Ohio’s new and existing entrepreneurs, it serves to foster the skills necessary to develop viable, sustainable business models and to create novel practices within pharmacy practice by providing resources and education to Ohio’s pharmacists.
Pharmacy is facing more legislative battles than ever before, and we know these fights will continue into the future. Obtaining provider status, opening restrictive networks, regulating PBMs, and increasing vaccination authority, expanding consult agreements with physicians. OPA and Ohio pharmacists are actively involved in these issues, and we must keep making progress.
OPA lobbyists are hard at work to impact the pharmacy profession in Ohio. Find out the latest initiatives and bills that are being pushed through the Ohio General Assembly.
The Pharmacy Political Action Committee is a voluntary, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of pharmacists who are interested in promoting good government and public health. Pharmacy PAC money contributed by pharmacists goes to help candidates who support pharmacy in Ohio.
The OPA LDF was created in 2014 at the request of an independent pharmacy owner seeking to help OPA boost its advocacy efforts for pharmacists. Unlike a Political Action Committee (PAC) fund, where personal funds are given directly to political campaigns, both personal and corporate funds are accepted by the LDF to enhance our government affairs endeavors, and there are no limits on the amount you can give. Contributions from corporate funds may be tax deductible as a business expense.
Impact the future of your profession through OPA advocacy and receive monthly legislative updates. Keep up-to-date on industry developments via Ohio Pharmacy Newsline, OPA’s bi-weekly e-news brief. Stay connected with Ohio’s pharmacy community through networking opportunities such as OPA’s committees and special interest groups. Gain exclusive access to Members Only content including salary surveys, collaborative practice agreements, and more. Student membership pays for itself by attending 2 OPA events!
OPA has created the Independent Special Interest Group (SIG) to help ensure not only independent pharmacy's survival in Ohio, but success. The Independent SIG is providing its members with important benefits, and is a key resource and activist in independent pharmacy matters. Members receive valuable assistance in pharmacy management, help with third-party issues (including audits), an information source on specific issues affecting independents, and an advocate/representative on pertinent committees.
Clinical services allow pharmacists to practice at the top of their license. And, as the most accessible healthcare professionals, pharmacists are well-positioned to take on expanded patient care roles. Whether the focus is to improve patient outcomes or reduce overall health costs, pharmacists are an important part of the healthcare.
The mission of the Ohio Pharmacists Foundation (OPF) is to provide educational programs for pharmacists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and consumers of health care that enhance the practice of pharmacy and patient outcomes, and to conduct research to support these efforts.
These activities will be directed to improve the knowledge of pharmacists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and the quality of pharmacists’ services to the general public. The continuing education programs presented by OPF are designed for pharmacists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and the public to address the daily issues of pharmacy practice and the expanding role of the pharmacy workforce.
Activities of the Foundation are overseen by a Board of Trustees that is appointed by the Ohio Pharmacists Association (OPA) Board of Trustees.
Goals
The goals of the Ohio Pharmacists Foundation are to initiate, direct and support activities that:
Produce quality and practical continuing education programs in a variety of formats that provide information on new drug therapy and treatment guidelines, patient management strategies and emerging practice roles, as well as innovative technologies and systems, that enhance delivery of expanded levels of pharmacists’ services
Produce quality, practical and technician-specific continuing education programs that provide information on new drug therapy, pharmacy law, patient safety, innovative technologies, and emerging practice roles for pharmacy technicians
Provide financial support to investigators at Ohio colleges of pharmacy, health care institutions and health-oriented industries to identify and explore innovative roles, and strategies to overcome barriers, for the pharmacist to deliver optimal health care
Implement programs and secure funding sources to afford the membership the opportunity to perpetuate the profession
Are dedicated to understanding and preserving the history of pharmacy
Disclosure: The OPF trustees and other individuals responsible for planning OPF continuing pharmacy education activities have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Contribute to the Foundation
Please consider making a charitable contribution to the Ohio Pharmacists Foundation to help us help you.
The Fellowship was named in honor of Amy and Don Bennett who have dedicated their professional lives to leadership and the professional development of hundreds of Ohio pharmacists and student pharmacists. Amy is Assistant Executive Director of OPA, where she publishes the journal, plans CPE, and mentors student pharmacists. Don has been involved in leadership roles at local, state and national levels, and has been recognized with their highest awards. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Pharmacists Foundation. Thanks to all who contributed to the OPA Executive Fellowship. More information on the Fellowship can be found here. Tax-deductible contributions, made payable to the Ohio Pharmacists Foundation, can be made as a one-time donation or as a pledge over time.
Duration: 12 months (July 1 - June 30) Number of Positions: 1 Application Deadline: January 31 Starting Date: July 1 Estimated Stipend: $45,000 Interview Required: Yes
The Ohio Pharmacists Association Executive Fellowship in Leadership and Association Management is a postgraduate training program conducted at the Ohio Pharmacists Association headquarters under the direction of the staff of OPA. The fellowship is an excellent experience for those interested in learning all areas that are critical to any successful nonprofit organization and in developing leadership skills. The fellow will be trained in association management and governance, advocacy for the profession, leadership, membership development, professional affairs, continuing education development, communications, publication production, media relations, and event coordination.
The Purpose of the Executive Fellowship:
to support the development of individuals interested in association management through training and experience in leadership, advocacy, professional affairs and problem-solving at the Ohio Pharmacists Association;
to prepare individuals for leadership positions in a variety of settings in the profession of pharmacy and healthcare in general;
to advance the role of the pharmacist in the healthcare system by engaging with Ohio’s pharmacists, student pharmacists, policy makers, state agencies, other healthcare provider groups and managed care organizations;
to advance areas of the Ohio Pharmacists Association’s strategic plan with a focus on clinical initiatives and grassroots advocacy;
to assist in the program planning and operation of the OPA Entrepreneurship Center.
The fellow will attend state and national pharmacy meetings and be given flexibility to tailor the experience to his or her interest to ensure passion behind the work that is accomplished.
Applicant Qualifications: B.S. or B.A. degree from a U.S. accredited institution. Preference will be given to those with association management, business, pharmacy or BSPS degree. Good communication and presentation skills; and basic knowledge of Microsoft Office products required.
Fringe Benefits:
Group Health Insurance coverage
10 days Paid Time Off (PTO)
Paid Holidays
Registration and Travel Expense for up to two national meetings
Membership in the Ohio Society of Association Executives
Selection of the Applicant 2025-2026 Applicants should submit their application packet via email by 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on January 31, 2025. Applicants will be notified within two business days once completed application is received and may be invited for an interview. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Selection of the applicant shall be the responsibility of the executive staff of the Ohio Pharmacists Association.
Application A complete application includes:
Letter of Intent
Current Curriculum Vitae
Written responses to all three application questions:
In fewer than 400 words, please provide an overview of why you are applying for this Fellowship and how you plan to utilize the experience in your future career.
In fewer than 400 words, what personal strengths and experiences would you bring to the Ohio Pharmacists Association? Include a description of your leadership, professional and/or community services/achievements and future goals.
In fewer than 400 words, in your opinion, what value do nonprofit associations bring to professions and to the public?
Three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a current or former employer.
OPF Research Grant Program
Overview
The Ohio Pharmacists Foundation (OPF) was created in 1992 to meet the educational needs of pharmacists and to provide an avenue to study and provide new and unique health care services to the public by the pharmacist. As such, the OPF provides educational training programs and supports the conduct of practice-oriented research that demonstrates the value of the pharmacist in enhancing the delivery of pharmacy care and the attainment of optimal patient outcomes. The OPF Research Grant Program is the venue through which the OPF partners with investigators at colleges of pharmacy, health care institutions and health-oriented industries to discover innovative roles, and overcome barriers, for the pharmacist to deliver health care.
Process
Submission
Note: An individual interested in submitting a proposal for support through the OPF Research Grant Program should contact Briana Wukovich of the Ohio Pharmacists Association, to ensure the intended submission is in compliance with the program's purposes and guidelines.
A cover letter must accompany each submission that briefly addresses the purpose and objectives of the proposed project, the primary method(s) by which the objectives will be achieved, the practice setting for the project (as applicable), cooperating partners with the projects (as applicable), and amount of support requested, and the timeline for completion of the project.
The cover letter should include the name(s) of investigators who are OPA members
The cover letter should be addressed to: Sue Paul, R.Ph., President, Ohio Pharmacists Foundation Board, 2674 Federated Blvd, Columbus, OH 43235
One electronic copy and five hard copies of the proposal must be submitted prior to review with the proposal addressing each of the following categories:
Problem Statement (Issue to be addressed and relevance to pharmacy practice in Ohio)
Study Objectives
Study Methodology (Including population to be studied, site of study, timetable)
Personnel (Including supportive evidence of qualifications of the investigators)
Method of Data Analysis (Including the nature of the final report)
Budget (Projecting all study costs and identifying those being supported by OPF)
Evaluation Process
The proposal will be evaluated by the members of the OPF Board of Trustees using established criteria in each of the key areas identified above. Additionally, the proposal will be judged on the adequacy and justification of budget as well as additional support sought for the project (including "in kind" contributions). Organization, neatness and grammatical correctness of the text also will be scored.
Assurances
All research involving human subjects and/or health related records must be reviewed and approved by the human subjects' research review committee (or equivalent IRB) of the institution with which the investigator is affiliated. The OPA/OPF does not provide this research assurance. If a study is exempt from research review, that fact must be affirmatively stated in the proposal and cover letter.
A letter of support from the appropriate academic advisor, program director, supervisor or administrator must be secured and submitted with the application. Further, any proposal describing a study done in cooperation with an entity other than one directly affiliated with the investigator(s), must be accompanied by a letter of support from the appropriate authority at that agency.
No action will be taken on the proposal until these assurances are received
Expectations
An investigator who is successful in securing funding from the OPF shall conduct the study and expend the funds in the same manner as described in the project proposal. Any significant deviations from the submitted protocol and/or timeline should be communicated in a prompt manner to the OPF President (at the address above).
When the project is completed, a report of the project findings shall be submitted to the OPF President. The project report must be submitted in an electronic format and include all relevant study parameters, findings and conclusions. The report may be published in part or in whole in the OPA journal, Ohio Pharmacist, and shall be presented at the OPA Annual Conference immediately following completion of the project.
All funds awarded by OPF through this program will be sent to an institutional account where the investigator is employed/affiliated. No funds will be awarded directly to any individual.
Submission Dates
Proposals will be evaluated twice annually at scheduled meetings of the OPF Board of Trustees. As such, submission deadline dates are:
April 1st
September 1st
ACPE Information
The Ohio Pharmacists Foundation, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. "The ACPE Provider Accreditation Program is designed to assure pharmacists, boards of pharmacy, and other members of pharmacy's community of interests, of the quality of continuing pharmaceutical education programs. Quality is assured by evaluating and monitoring capabilities of providers of continuing education programs as well as monitoring and reviewing their continuing education offerings."
As an accredited provider, OPF must adhere to the Criteria for Quality established by ACPE and provide periodic self-assessment reports for review in order to maintain approved-provider status.
Board of Trustees
Debra Parker, President Donald Bennett, Vice President Matt Buderer, Treasurer Sarah Adkins Marialice Bennett Steve Burson Kevin Day Karen Kier Sue Paul Max Peoples
