NCPA Foundation announces plans for October convention

The Foundation of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) has announced the schedule of activities it will present during the 113th NCPA Annual Convention and Trade Exposition at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville October 8-12.

This year, the Foundation will turn its annual silent fund-raising auction into a 3-day event to take place from October 9 to October 11 in the Exhibit Hall. Proceeds from the auction support scholarships to pharmacy students, research and programs to improve the success of independent community pharmacy, community-based healthcare-awareness programs, and disaster relief aid for community pharmacy owners. Auction items include art, gourmet dining packages, pharmacy and sports memorabilia, and travel packages.

In addition, the Foundation’s booth (#837) in the Exhibit Hall will offer attendees the opportunity to purchase this year’s featured Pharmacy Art Print. For sale this year is an 18”x20” color replica of “Pharmacist,” a 1955 Norman Rockwell painting of a pharmacist dispensing liquid into a beaker. “Pharmacist” is one of the last images he produced for the Upjohn Company.

Also at the Foundation booth, community pharmacists can register to participate in the Foundation’s third annual National Community Pharmacy Bone Marrow Drive, taking place November 7-12, during National Bone Marrow Awareness month. The drive is a health initiative coordinated by the NCPA Foundation and DKMS, the world’s largest and most experienced bone-marrow donor center.

The Foundation will present several awards and scholarships at the Convention, including the John W. Dargavel Medal and the National Preceptor of the Year Award during the second general session, Monday, October 10. On Sunday, October 9, during its annual awards ceremony, the Foundation will present the NCPA Faculty Liaison Excellence Award; the NCPA Student Chapter of the Year Awards; and the Presidential Scholarships for students (sponsored by AstraZeneca, Covidien, Pharmacists Mutual, PCCA, and Teva)

For the second year in a row, NCPAF will award the Catalyst Grant for Innovative Practice, with a focus on pain management. Sponsored by Purdue, the purpose of this program is to help pharmacists create partnerships within different sectors of the healthcare community to improve patient care and services. The award is designed to fund multiyear projects, with the selected best practices widely communicated to the pharmacy profession, other healthcare providers, policymakers and payers, and patient- and disease-advocacy organizations. The program is expected to generate a significant body of knowledge and evidence showcasing the effectiveness of pharmacy-provided services and the efficacy of properly used pharmaceuticals.

"The NCPA Foundation mission is dedicated to preserving the legacy of independent community pharmacies, but it's a goal for which we should all strive," Sharlea Leatherwood, PD, NCPA Foundation president, told Drug Topics. "In order to strengthen the profession, we - as pharmacists in all settings - must continually recognize good work, prepare for what's next, and help create successful future owners. We hope as many pharmacists as possible join us at the NCPA 113th Annual Convention to do just that."