Kudos to the Connecticut Chapter of ASCP for introducing pharmacy students to the ASCP Foundation during ASCP's Annual Meeting last November. Incoming ASCP Board Member Sean Jeffery and ASCP Foundation Development Committee Chairman Mark Wrabel spearheaded the idea of sponsoring University of Connecticut pharmacy students to attend the Foundation's dinner event, held at the Phoenix Art Museum. A number of Connecticut Chapter members stepped up to the plate and purchased tickets for the eight students attending the annual meeting. 

Pharmacy students are a growing ~ and increasingly important ~ part of ASCP's membership base. The variety of educational offerings and exposure to vendors at the exhibition are important reasons for students to attend the annual meeting. Add to that the opportunity to network with ASCP leadership, potential employers, and future colleagues at a social event with a bit of glamour and glitz and a healthy dose of fun . . . what a winning combination!

The University of Connecticut students were excited and honored to be included in this special occasion. Our compliments to the Connecticut ASCP Chapter for creating and executing a great idea, and our thanks to the following donors for making it possible: Jim Conklin, Anna Egle, Michel Fortin, Amy Huie-Li, Sean Jeffery, Gene and Peggy Memoli, Brian Pelletier, Larry Sobel, Sheldon Sones, Kathy White, and Mark Wrabel. 

The Foundation is planning another blockbuster event at ASCP's 2007 Annual Meeting and Exhibition in Philadelphia, November 15. Save the date, plan to join us, and consider sponsoring a student to attend as well.

Got a knack for teaching, coaching, and inspiring others? If so, you may be the next recipient of the Leadership in Education Award. 

The 2007 recipient of this prestigious award will be honored at the opening session of Geriatrics '07, ASCP's 29th Midyear Conference and Exhibition in Hollywood, Florida, May 21-23, and will receive a specially designed framed medallion. The award also includes complimentary travel, hotel accommodations, and registration to attend the conference. In addition, sanofi-aventis will contribute $10,000 to the ASCP Foundation in honor of the award recipient. 

The deadline for nominations is FEBRUARY 15. Self-nominations are appropriate and encouraged. Or, consider honoring a mentor or colleague with a nomination. Visit www.ascp.com/about/awards/leadershipineducationaward.cfm for the criteria and nomination materials. 

The Leadership in Education Award is administered by the ASCP Foundation and supported by a grant from sanofi-aventis.

The ASCP Foundation Board of Trustees elected six new public members at its meeting last October. Public members are individuals outside the membership of ASCP who bring to the Board expertise and perspective from disciplines involved in geriatric medicine, gerontology, public policy, research, and long-term care. Over the next few months, this e-newsletter will feature profiles on these new board members ~ John F. Derr, RPh; Sandra Rawlins Johnson, LCSW; Edward McMahon, PhD; Sandra L. Panther, CFRE; Albert L. Riddle, MD, CMD; and Goldie W. Rivkin.

John F. Derr, RPh, is Executive Director of the Foundation for the Advancement of Care for the Elderly (FACE), a nonprofit organization with a focus on improving the quality of care and quality of life of the elderly and disabled through chronic care and wellness research as well as the transfer of knowledge and technology to the bedside. FACE is in partnership with the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL). AHCA/NCAL represents the majority of nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the United States on issues concerning the care of the elderly and disabled, including Medicare, Medicaid, tort reform, workforce, survey certification and enforcement, quality, and technology. 

After receiving his bachelor's degree in pharmacy from Purdue University in 1958, Mr. Derr went on to do graduate studies in business and marketing at Indiana University, UCLA, and Columbia University. He served as a commissioned line officer in the United States Navy and retired as a captain of the U.S. Naval Reserve, having completed seven commands including the Reserve Commanding Officer of two destroyers. In addition, he worked for the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. 

In 2002, Mr. Derr joined AHCA as Director of the Strategic Action Group and Executive Vice President of Operations. Asked by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a plan for implementing electronic health records in long-term care, Mr. Derr worked with the Center for Health Transformation, established by former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, and organized and chaired its Long Term Living Workgroup. 

Mr. Derr has presented at numerous national meetings on topics including long-term care, health information technology, quality of care, wellness management, and pharmacy value. He authored an article on the financing of health care for an aging population for The Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation that supports independent research on health care issues and makes grants to improve health care practice and policy. In 2003, he received the Tony Way Award for extraordinary efforts to advance the mission of the National Association for the Support of Long Term Care, and he recently received the 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award from the Purdue School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.