Profession Celebrates Women Pharmacist Day This Month

Women Pharmacist Day brings together women in the profession to celebrate their achievements past and present. The fourth Women Pharmacist Day will be observed on October 12, 2021. October was chosen for this special recognition because it is also National Pharmacist Month. The 12th day of the month was selected in honor of the legendary first female pharmacist in the United States, Elizabeth Gooking Greenleaf, who had 12 children and is an inspiring role model for thousands of women who dream of becoming pharmacists. Although women made up just 8% of all US pharmacists as recently as the 1960s, they now represent almost 70% of the pharmacy workforce.

In addition, 4 pharmacists will be chosen as Woman Pharmacist of the Year in the categories of community pharmacy, health systems, independent, and nontraditional, based on their significant impact on the practice of pharmacy. The winners will be announced live during a program held within the Pharmacist Moms Facebook Group. There will also be nearly 500 giveaway items for those who participate in the event.

PREVIOUS WINNERS OF THE AWARD

• 2020: Jennifer Shannon, PharmD, BCPS, clinical pharmacist at and owner of Lily’s Pharmacy in Johns Creek, Georgia
• 2020: Krista Capehart, PharmD, BCACP, clinical associate professor and director of the Wigner Institute for Advanced Pharmacy Practice, Education, and Research at West Virginia University School of Pharmacy in Morgantown
• 2019: Jesica Mills, PharmD, owner of Owensboro Family Pharmacy in Owensboro, Kentucky

Visit the Pharmacist Moms Group website to view the 4 winners of this year’s Woman Pharmacist of the Year awards (www.pharmacistmomsgroup.com).

WHAT IS NEXT?

The Pharmacist Moms Group recently relaunched its website with a new overall look and feel. In addition, “Coffee With Suzy” will launch shortly and be held every Thursday at 9:30 AM ET. During that time, there will be giveaways for the group and interviews with women in the pharmacy profession. Those interested in getting involved by joining the community, sponsoring an event, or writing for the organization should not hesitate to reach out. Join the community (https://www.facebook.com/pharmacistmomsgroup/) or get in touch (suzy@pharmacistmomsgroup.com).

Suzanne Soliman, PharmD, BCMAS, is the chief academic officer at the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs and the founder of Pharmacist Moms Group, the largest group of female pharmacists in the United States, with more than 35,000 members.

REFERENCE

1. Women Pharmacist Day. Accessed September 30, 2021. https://womenpharmacistday.com/