Craig Kimble, President, will preside over WVPA’s 111th Annual Convention, August 17 and 18, at the Marriott Hotel in Charleston. He has served office for the past two years. Ken Reed, the current Vice President will be installed President for two years, during installation services the evening of August 18.
The Convention begins with “APhA’s Immunization Certificate Program from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Friday, August 17. It will be presented by the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy Office of Continuing Education.
Concurrent sessions scheduled from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m., Friday, include “Preceptor Program: More Alphabet Soup for You” presented by Mark Garofoli, PharmD, and the student session “Hot Topics and Advocacy: Creating Your Future Starts Now and Getting Hired in a Tough Job Market” presented by Matt Rafa, PharmD, Krista Capehart, PharmD, Kerry Cormier, PharmD and Craig Kimble, PharmD.
Pharmacists can comply with the State’s law requiring them to complete three (3) hours of “Drug Diversion and Best Practices Dispensing Controlled Substances” continuing education by attending the Convention, Friday, August 17, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Pharmacists must complete this Board of Pharmacy approved course every two years in order to maintain their license. It will be presented by Janet Wolcott, PharmD, and Crystal Vance, APRN.
Featured programs scheduled for Saturday, August 18, include “Future Trends and Technology in Pharmacy.” With rapid advances in science, new technology and trends in pharmacy are constantly being proposed as ways to improve patient outcomes and deliver quality care. “From 3D printing of drugs to technician administered immunizations, technology is changing the way we look at pharmacy,” said Adam Chesler, PharmD, Director of Regulatory Affairs for Cardinal Health, who will present the program.
Of major importance to pharmacists is “WV Pharmacy Law Update” which will be presented by Mike Goff, BA, Interim Executive Director and Controlled Substance Monitoring Program Administrator for the Board of Pharmacy. He will identify the new laws for pharmacy that were enacted by the 2018 West Virginia Legislature. He will also discuss updates to the Control Substance Monitoring Program, and present the 2017 statute to legalize medical marijuana.
Dani Dolin, PharmD, will present “Immunization Update for 2018.” She will identify the latest immunization recommendations and changes to the adult vaccination schedule. She will give guidance on the use of herpes zoster vaccines, and describe the use, dosing and other factors related to the novel Hepatitis B vaccine. Dani will also outline research regarding vaccine development and recommendations.
Krista Capehart, PharmD, Olivia Bunner, PharmD, Allison DeLancey PharmD, Kelsi Hines, PharmD, and Lan Le, PharmD, will conduct the “Student Pharmacist Self-Care Championship” competition among students from the University of Charleston, Marshall University and West Virginia University Schools of Pharmacy. The students will be challenged to identify and explain aspects of the effective and safe practice of pharmacy self-care treatments. They will be asked to identify at least two over-the-counter prescription medication interactions that pharmacists should be aware of, and list three OTC medication and their use.
Exhibitors displaying products and services available to pharmacists Saturday, include AbbVie, American Pharmacy Services Corporation, Cardinal Health, McKesson, Mylan, Pharmaceutical Dimensions, Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company and West Virginia Board of Pharmacy. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores also contributed to the Convention.
WVPA members will gather to address and debate current issues of West Virginia pharmacists and the Association in a House of Delegates style discussion.
A reception will be held honoring all WVPA Past Presidents, beginning at 6:00 p.m., August 18, followed by the installation and awards dinner. J. J. Bernabei will be presented the Dr. James H. Beal Award, the most coveted honor presented a pharmacist by WVPA. Charles “Laddie” Burdette will be presented the Board of Hygeia, sponsored by the American Pharmacists Association. Chelsea Gresheam will receive the Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award, which is sponsored by Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Companies. Mark Garofoli will be presented the Generation Rx Champion’s Award, which is sponsored by Cardinal Health. Gretchen Kreckel Garofoli will receive the Excellence In Innovation Award, sponsored by Upsher-Smith Laboratories.
To register for the 111th Annual Convention, call WVPA 304-344-5302 to register by August 10 at reduced fees.