ASHP Names New AJHP Editor in Chief

ASHP has named Daniel J. Cobaugh, Pharm.D., DABAT, FAACT, as the new Assistant Vice President and Editor in Chief of AJHP (American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy), the nation’s preeminent electronically enhanced peer-reviewed pharmacy journal, effective January 1, 2015.

Formerly vice president of the ASHP Research and Education Foundation, Dr. Cobaugh brings to his new position a distinguished background in leading medication-use initiatives that have positively impacted patients, public health, and the advancement of the pharmacy profession.

“We’re very excited to welcome Dr. Cobaugh to the position of Editor in Chief of AJHP,” said ASHP CEO Paul W. Abramowitz, Pharm.D., Sc.D.(Hon.), FASHP. “Only someone with Dr. Cobaugh’s impressive credentials and extensive experience in both clinical publishing and pharmacy practice could assume the leadership of such a renowned, well-respected publication. Dr. Cobaugh will follow in the footsteps of former distinguished editors in chief, C. Richard Talley, William A. Zellmer, George P. Provost, and Donald E. Francke.”

Dr. Cobaugh joined the Foundation in 2004 where his leadership was instrumental in establishing many new initiatives, including programs supporting the development of practice-based researchers, developing pharmacy practice tools to ensure safe and effective medication use, implementing the Pharmacy Residency Expansion Grant Program, and launching the ASHP/ASHP Foundation Pharmacy Practice Model Initiative (PPMI), which aspires to increase pharmacists’ responsibility and accountability for patients’ outcomes.

Prior to working with the Foundation, Dr. Cobaugh was director of ASHP’s Section of Home, Ambulatory, and Chronic Care Practitioners from 2002 through 2004. In that position, he led the Society’s efforts to enhance continuity of care in the medication-use process and to establish emergency department pharmacy services.

As the author of 56 peer-reviewed publications and numerous book chapters and abstracts, Dr. Cobaugh is a prolific contributor to the pharmacy and medical literature. His published work embodies an evidence-based approach that is rooted in advancing patient care.

Dr. Cobaugh has served as an editorial board member and a reviewer for several pharmacy and medical journals. Throughout his 12 years at ASHP, Dr. Cobaugh has strongly supported AJHP as both an author and reviewer and has consistently worked with Journal editors to recruit editorial contributions from content experts.

Known internationally for his work in the field of clinical toxicology, Dr. Cobaugh has served as a toxicology consultant to many organizations, including the World Health Organization, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the National Library of Medicine.

Prior to his work with ASHP, Dr. Cobaugh worked in a number of clinical and academic positions, including as associate director at the American Association of Poison Control Centers, as director of the University of Rochester Medical Center Finger Lakes Regional Poison and Drug Information Center, as director of research and assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center, and as coordinator of the Toxicology Treatment Program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and assistant professor of pharmacy practice and emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine.

Dr. Cobaugh received his Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the University of Pittsburgh and his Doctor of Pharmacy degree, magna cum laude, from Duquesne University. He completed an ASHP-accredited residency in hospital pharmacy at Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh and a clinical toxicology fellowship at the Pittsburgh Poison Center/Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Dr. Cobaugh is a fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and a 2012 distinguished alumnus of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy.

Dr. Cobaugh will succeed C. Richard Talley, B.S.Pharm., who will retire December 31, 2014, after 22 years of exceptional service and dedication as Editor in Chief of AJHP, the world’s premier pharmacy journal.

About ASHP

ASHP represents pharmacists who serve as patient care providers in acute and ambulatory settings. The organization’s more than 40,000 members include pharmacists, student pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. For over 70 years, ASHP has been on the forefront of efforts to improve medication use and enhance patient safety. For more information about the wide array of ASHP activities and the many ways in which pharmacists advance healthcare, visit ASHP’s website, www.ashp.org, or its consumer website, www.safemedication.com.