Board of Directors Meeting, November 6-7, 2013, National Harbor, Maryland

1. Roll Call

President Peggy Piascik welcomed the Board and staff members present at The Gaylord Hotel at 9:00 a.m. on November 6, 2013. The following Board members participated in the discussion: David D. Allen (Council of Deans), J. Lyle Bootman (Immediate Past President), J. Chris Bradberry (Treasurer), Patricia A. Chase (President-elect), Craig D. Cox (Council of Sections), Lynn Crismon (Council of Deans), Philip M. Hritcko (Speaker of the House), Timothy J. Ives (Council of Sections), Lucinda L. Maine (Executive Vice President), Steven A. Scott (Council of Faculties), Denise A. Soltis (Council of Sections), Robin Zavod (Council of Faculties) and David P. Zgarrick (Council of Faculties).

AACP staff included: Jennifer L. Adams, Lynette R. Bradley-Baker, Melinda D. Colón, Barbra A. Gustis, William G. Lang, Vincent Lau, Allan L. Lee, Karna M. Mapes, Bradford E. Miller, Ruth E. Nemire, Cecilia M. Plaza, Sibu Ramamurthy, Stephanie Fouch, Sandy B. Stutman, and Danielle A. Taylor.

Guests included Jennine Anderson, CPA, and Deborah Crown, CPA, from UHY LLP, who serve as AACP’s audit team and Michael Brown, rotation student from the University of Charleston.

2. Additions to the Agenda

There were no additions to the agenda.

3. Conflicts of Interest

President Piascik read the conflict of interest statement and conflicts related to item 10 with the Commission on Credentialing appointment were identified.

4. Approval of July 11-12, 2013 Board of Directors Minutes

On MOTION (Ives, Allen) the Board approved the July 11-12, 2013 Board of Director Minutes.

5. Legal Review

EVP Maine informed the Board that Attorney Steve Benson was unable to attend the Board meeting. The Board was referred to the background materials for the legal presentation prepared by Steve and offered an opportunity for discussion and questions regarding any aspect of the issues covered. EVP Maine highlighted the duty of loyalty, care and obedience as well as the importance of the fiduciary responsibility of Board members. Attorney Benson will be invited to address AACP leaders at the March 2014 leadership retreat.

6. 2013 Audit Approval

Jennine Anderson and Deborah Crown from UHY LLP presented the results of the audit of the Association financial statements as of June 30, 2013. They reviewed the procedures employed while completing their work as AACP’s new audit firm, which included issuing an opinion on the statements and any recommendations for improving financial management and controls by AACP. The audit firm noted that the audit had gone very smoothly with the full cooperation of staff. They noted two areas that will now be reported differently than in prior years which involve how the Association accounts for membership dues and the rent obligation on the office facility. Both adjustments conform with Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP) in the determination of the new firm.

On MOTION (Allen, Bootman) the Board approved the FY2013 audit.

7. Financial Update

Treasurer Bradberry reported that the Finance Committee held a call on October 4 to review the operating results for FY2013 and for the first two months of FY2014 through August 31, 2013. AACP’s financial position remains very strong with assets standing at over $10 million and growing over 7% per year as of June 30. Operating results were also strong and exceeded the budget goals for the fiscal year just ended while investments are performing near the comparable indices.

Program results for fiscal 2014 are off to a great start with record setting attendance at the Annual Meeting in July and with PharmCAS tracking consistent with last year. Student Services remains an area to closely monitor as PCAT tests are showing a downward trend. One reason for a decrease in testing is the availability and use of PCAT practice tests. AACP has taken early steps to closely monitor its administrative and program related costs to look for all opportunities for cost reductions.

8. New Section and Special Interest Group Proposals

Melinda Colón, Associate Director for Governance Programs and Meetings, presented the recommendations of the Council of Sections for the approval of a new Section and of the SIG Cabinet for approval of two requests to form new special interest groups.

On MOTION, (Ives, Chase) the Board approved formation of the Professional Staff and Faculty Section contingent on the originators changing the name and clarifying the goals and objectives. There were 2 abstaining votes on the motion by Allen and Soltis.

On MOTION, (Ives, Cox) the Board approved the formation of a Minority Faculty SIG.

The Board discussed the proposal for a New Faculty Network SIG and how the Association can provide opportunities for new faculty development and networking. The Board tasked the Council of Faculties leadership with Chair Robin Zavod as lead to work with staff to see if there is something that the COF can do to address the needs and concerns the leaders of this proposed SIG brought forward.

9. AACP Appointment to the ACPE Board of Directors

Cecilia M. Plaza, Senior Director of Academic Affairs, and COF Immediate Past-Chair David Zgarrick provided an overview of the process used to identify and evaluate candidates for appointment to the ACPE Board of Directors for the 2014-20 term. Using a written ballot, the Board elected Lori Duke from the University of Georgia as the appointee.

10. Commission on Credentialing Appointment

Lynette Bradley-Baker, Director of Professional Alliance Development, provided an overview of the process used to identify and evaluate candidates for potential appointment to the ASHP Commission on Credentialing to fulfill the term of Don Letendre who was elected to the ASHP Board of Directors. Using a written ballot, the Board selected Jean Nappi (South Carolina College of Pharmacy) and Amy Sheehan (Purdue University) to be forwarded as nominees to serve as AACP representatives on the Commission. Final appointment of one individual will be made by the ASHP Board of Directors. [Scott abstained from the vote.]

11. Nomination Clarifications

By CONSENSUS the Board confirmed as official elections policy that potential candidates and elected AACP leaders may not concurrently hold or be seeking an office on the board of another national JCPP organization. The Board asked EVP Maine to develop guidance language to circulate to respective Chairs of the Nominations committees for all positions resulting in service on the AACP Board of Directors.

12. Recognition of CAPE Panel Chair

The Board asked that Melissa Medina (Oklahoma) be recognized at the first session of the House of Delegates at the 2014 Annual Meeting for her service above and beyond as chair of the CAPE Educational Outcomes revision panel.

13. 2012- 2013 House of Delegates Outcomes

Speaker of the House Philip M. Hritcko and House Secretary Maine reviewed the outcomes of the 2013 House of Delegates sessions. Following deliberation by a special work group, it was determined that there was no further action required on the proposed chemistry resolution. By CONSENSUS, the Board agreed to address the request related to branch campuses by making appropriate accommodations on the Pharmacy School Locator on the AACP website. Speaker Hritcko outlined the work of the 2013-14 Bylaws and Policy Development Committee to ensure consistency between the newly revised AACP Bylaws and other governance documents.

14. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education

Cecilia M. Plaza and Treasurer Chris Bradberry provided an overview of the process and timeline that will be followed to identify the next Editor of the Journal as current editor Joseph DiPiro steps down in 2014. The position description to solicit candidates will be released in mid November with candidate review beginning in mid January.

15. Report of the Board Strategic Planning Committee

Patricia Chase, President-elect and chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, reviewed the work conducted by the committee at its October 2-3 meeting. The committee recommends implementation of the AACP consulting service and asked the Council of Deans and Council of Faculties leaders to identify two members of each council to serve as an initial advisory group. This group will refine and implement the peer review process for selection of AACP consultants from the membership.

On MOTION (Ives/Cox) the Board agreed to pursue the formation of a corporate entity to develop and market educational games. The Executive Committee will work with AACP staff on the details, including the engagement of the Simulation and Gaming Institute at George Mason University as a strategic partner in the development of the new program. The Executive Committee will communicate frequently on its progress and provide the Board with a set of recommendations for the necessary financial investment and management of this entity.

The Strategic Planning Committee also recommends serious consideration of the recommendation of the COF Faculty Affairs Committee that AACP identify resources to launch a faculty development program for individuals in mid-to-later years of their career who are seeking to embark on new areas of scholarly activity.

16. AACP Online Learning Center Program Audit

Allan Lee, Director of Information Technology, reviewed an analysis of the low utilization of recorded annual meeting educational programs and outlined contractual obligations related to the continued utilization of the AACP Online Learning Center. On MOTION (Allen, Crismon) the Board agreed to sunset the Online Learning Center program as expediently as possible.

17. Institutional Research and Effectiveness Overview

Danielle Taylor, Associate Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness (IRE), provided an overview of the work of the Office of IRE and recommendations of institutional effectiveness consultant Jeff Seybert to create an Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness (OIRE) and increase the visibility of the activities of the OIRE. Some of the changes included creation of an institutional effectiveness model, infographics, additional institutional research briefs, and scholarly publications to give AACP data more visibility. A search for a research analyst is underway to enhance the capacity of the Office to embark on these new efforts.

18. Dawson Award Evaluation

EVP Maine presented proposed language to send to our contact at Amgen to modify criteria for the Paul Dawson Award to recognize individuals whose research and sustained contributions to the field have transformed patient care and health service delivery significantly. The Board asked EVP Maine to add in how this award and the proposed changes link to our core values and bring back the revised language for final approval at the February 2014 Board of Directors meeting.

19. A Graduate Speaks His Mind

The Board had a discussion on a commentary by a recent graduate and Brown University faculty member which was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

20. ACPE Standards Revision

Cecilia M. Plaza provided an overview of the process to develop AACP’s formal input into the ACPE accreditation standards revision for the professional degree program. President Piascik will appoint a special committee comprised of board members, members at large, and a student member that will work over the course of 2014 to synthesize the input AACP receives during the period of open comment. This committee will work to listen and process the input received from the greater AACP membership during the open hearings occurring at various meetings throughout 2014 as well as written input submitted to the Association. This work will result in a report of both general and detailed recommendations to the AACP Board of Directors in November 2014 for final approval.

21. Priorities and Status of AACP’s Policy Agenda

Will Lang, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, provided an update on AACP’s advocacy agenda. Specific attention was directed to the work of the stakeholder organizations working to jointly identify the strategy for pursuing provider status for pharmacists in Medicare Part B. The Board provided input to guide AACP’s participation in the coalition and affirmed its strong support for advancing this priority.

A revised vision statement for the profession developed by the Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners was introduced for consideration. On MOTION (Chase, Bradberry) the Board endorsed the following JCPP vision statement: Patients achieve optimal health and medication outcomes with pharmacists as essential and accountable providers within patient-centered, team-based healthcare.

20-27. Information Items

Information items including a science program update, updates on additional strategic priorities and the policy agenda, as well as reports on Council activities, recent committee meetings and other district, national and international meetings attended were presented for discussion.

The meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m. on November 7, 2013 after a time of roundtable sharing of additional news from Board members and staff.