A Look Forward to What's in Store for 2018 - Meet our Committee Chairs
Part Four


IACP Executive Vice President Cynthia Blankenship, Esq.
A Message from Your Executive Vice President Cynthia Blankenship, Esq.

IACP thanks you for the incredible energy and the messages we've received from you on about last week's articles:  Monday's first installment, Tuesday's second installment and Wednesday's third installment of "A Look Back on Accomplishments and New Programs in 2017, a Look Forward to What's in Store for 2018 and a Visual Look Forward to 2018."  We're are excited to share more about what our amazing and dedicated Committee Chairs have to say out their programs and committees! 

As IACP's Executive Vice President (EVP) my commitment to  return IACP to a member-driven organization and to increase transparency remains strong. It is still incredibly vital to me that IACP hear directly from IACP Members what you need to succeed. As an organization, it also is critical that IACP be transparent, communicating clearly with you what programs we would be creating and implementing per your feedback.  In that transparency we wanted you to hear it directly from our Committee Chairs what they are excited about, why they got involved and what they have accomplished.

As we continue to share our fouth and final in the series of conversations with you, here is the  fourth of several Committee Chair testimonials on what I've discussed in our recent articles! As always, we want to continue receiving your feedback. Email us any time at [email protected], or call us at 281.933.8400.
IACP is so pleased and thankful for our IACP Committee Chairs and members.

They have answered the call to help lead this organization by driving the committee agendas pursuant to the IACP Strategic Plan.

Our Committee Chairs put their hearts and souls into making IACP a
member-driven organization.  They are creative, passionate and outright amazing! 

We are going to be sharing our conversations with our Committee Chairs with you this week so you can see the energy, the passion and the drive they have. 

We hope they inspire you as much as they inspire us!


A Conversation with A.J. Day, Chair of the 503B Committee

What are you most excited about for 2018?
The 503B committee has great potential to build bridges in our industry!  The combination of 503A and 503B interests working together to address federal and state policy issues will change the dynamic of the conversations we are having on Capitol Hill and with FDA.

Why did you decide to get involved with IACP Committees?
Our profession is ours to mold and protect.  If we don't get involved in Committees, compounding may quickly become a thing of the past.

What advice do you have for your fellow IACP members to become more involved with their Academy?
Make your voice heard, and support those who are protecting your ability to compound.


A Conversation with William James, Chair of the SOP Committee

What have you enjoyed most about being chair?
Being able to move the organization forward for the next generation.

What are you most excited about for 2018? 
Seeing IACP grow and help to develop procedures for the organization to be around for years to come. 

How much input do you feel your IACP Committee has? 
My committee's job is to help streamline processes with the board and help the other committee chairs be more efficient in all aspects.

How valuable are the members of your IACP Committee? 
The members I have are industry leaders for developing and maintaining SOP's.  Their knowledge is truly an asset to IACP.

Why did you decide to get involved with IACP Committees? 
I wanted to help make IACP be a stronger organization.  Volunteering to chair the SOP committee is an area that I felt I could help with and an area in the organization needed help.

What advice do you have for your fellow IACP members to become more involved with their Academy? 
If you are not involved in IACP you do not have a say on how you will be able to practice compounding in the future.


A Conversation with Marisol Lopez, Chair of the International Membership Committee

What are you most excited about for 2018?
The International Committee will expand IACPs services to our international members, will focus on international member's needs, and will unify compounders from different regions. 

How much input do you feel your IACP Committee has?
The International Committee members represents compounding professionals dedicated to the advance of the compounding specialty in different countries. 

How valuable are the members of your IACP Committee?
The combined knowledge of the International Committee members will unify our international community and will provide an outstanding service to their needs.

Why did you decide to get involved with IACP Committees?
The International Committee provides me the opportunity to be involved with my international colleagues, leading a group of international members dedicated to promoting compounding to strengthen our profession. 

What advice do you have for your fellow IACP members to become more involved with their Academy?
I will encourage all IACP members to participate by providing ideas, news and educational opportunities to our international members. The international community needs our support, and by becoming a member of the International Committee it will increase participation of all IACP members allowing them to continue to provide excellent service to our compounding professionals.


A Conversation with Jeffery Bray, Chair of the Infrastructure Review Committee

What have you enjoyed most about being chair? 
Having the opportunity to be involved with so many talented individuals is not only enjoyable but of great benefit as well. Being part of a committee gives you insight into what is happening in the industry and what is being done by IACP to help all of its members and the industry in general. The input from the committee members brings best practices and experience that benefits everyone, but is particularly beneficial for committee members to learn from each other and implement those same best practices in their own pharmacies and organizations.

What were your biggest accomplishments in 2017? 
Being an extreme introvert, I think getting more involved is a big personal accomplishment. Once I became more involved however, I saw the importance of being involved. There is so much that IACP is doing for all of us as members and the prescribers and patients we have the privilege of working with. The more people that are involved gives additional insight and voice to build awareness about the importance of compounding and the difference it makes for patient care. Because of the great benefit I personally received from becoming more involved with IACP and the committees, 30 talented professionals at MedQuest Pharmacy are now IACP members and many of them volunteer for committees as well. Their feedback has been great as they also feel as though their contributions are making a difference and receive valuable information, experience and awareness for themselves in the process.

What are you most excited about for 2018? 
Seeing all of the support and work that IACP is doing for compounding is exciting. There have been significant key wins, greater awareness and new champions in compounding. Knowing what the talented IACP Staff and Leadership are doing for us is impressive. Seeing firsthand their excitement and energy is contagious. Having the opportunity to build upon the great foundation that has been built will continue to bring additional key wins and other successes. I am very excited about what IACP has done, continually does and what is in store for 2018.

How much input do you feel your IACP Committee has?
I am fortunate enough to be involved in a few different committees and I get to experience what my other team members discuss in the committees they are involved in as well. There is a significant amount of input that a committee has to offer on any particular issue, initiative or best practice. It is an environment that encourages feedback, welcomes new ideas and is always looking to improve. It is also an environment where you do not have to have all the answers and can learn from others on the committee. Although I try to contribute where I can, I feel as though I get much more value than I give through volunteering and I would encourage you to volunteer as well.

How valuable are the members of your IACP Committee?
There is such a great value in being able to interact with members of the IACP Committees. The wealth of knowledge and experience that is present gives you an opportunity to build relationships with colleagues and make friends. In a time when we are all working towards the same goals and are partners for the benefit of the industry and our individual practices, building these relationships will have lifelong dividends. Having the opportunity to learn from others and get their input is experience you cannot get from anywhere else.

Why did you decide to get involved with IACP Committees?
Since I am an extreme introvert it was not an easy decision. Based on how important the issues are however, it was a decision that had to be made. Once I became more involved, the benefit is significant and seeing the behind the scenes support is eye opening. We have a talented group of volunteers, staff and leadership that is all working for your benefit, for our prescribers and for our patients. By knowing how much time, effort and support that is offered by volunteers, it is humbling to see and makes you want to give back as well.

What advice do you have for your fellow IACP members to become more involved with their Academy? 
I would encourage all IACP members to look for ways to give back to IACP, its members and the industry. Involvement brings significant benefits on many levels. There is a personal benefit for the individual who volunteers by increased knowledge of the issues, an understanding of the opportunities to make a difference and access to a wealth of experience and information. This is of direct benefit to your practice in being able to prepare and plan for new developments and changes. Most importantly however is the benefit it provides to your prescribers and patients. You are able to directly be part of the IACP Mission to protect, promote and advance the art and science of pharmacy compounding. You are able to share that information with those you work with to let them know what you are personally doing to help. You are part of and "committed to ensuring the rights of physicians to prescribe, of pharmacists to prepare, and of patients to take personalized medication solutions that meet their unique, individual health needs". The greater awareness amongst your team, your prescribers and your patients will only further benefit the industry and the community. Please consider volunteering some of your time and experience to IACP. If time is not available, please ask IACP how you can support in other ways. Whether that is a financial contribution or a simple thank you card, please consider becoming more involved and sharing the important work that is being done for everyone's benefit.



We heard your requests to update IACP events and implement new programs! In 2018, we are going to debut new programming at all IACP events!
  • Debuting New Programs and Events to Recognize Members: Your Education Committee, led by IACP President-elect Jennifer Burch, has worked diligently to choose speakers who address your specific content requests, and has implemented new programs recognizing IACP Members and IACP Corporate Members. We hope you enjoyed our new programs at January's Educational Conference! We were so pleased to recognize several IACP Members and Corporate Members during the January 2018 Educational Conference held in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
  • Creating New Events: We also created the inaugural President's Gala as a festive way to install our Board of Directors, and to recognize Committee Chairs. The President's Gala along with IACP Board Chair Baylor Rice's monthly member articles have been provided to help clarify IACP's fundraising efforts, and how the Academy applies your dues to achieve the activities and goals you've indicated are important.
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