The BPS Board-Certified Pharmacist Podcast

In this episode, Ellie LaNou, PharmD, BCPS, is joined by Susan E. Smith, PharmD, BCCCP, FCCM, FCCP, Associate Professor at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy and Critical Care Clinical Pharmacist at Piedmont Athens Regional, to discuss the research her team conducted as recipients of one of the 2023-2025 BPS Research Seed Grants. They discuss why Dr. Smith and her research team chose to investigate board-certified critical care pharmacists’ impact on patient care in the intensive care unit, and what the findings could mean for board-certified pharmacists, employers, and their patients.

To view the OPTIM study methods mentioned in the episode, visit: https://doi.org/10.1097/cce.0000000000000956

To view their research, visit: https://doi.org/10.1002/jac5.70258

To view the ACCP white paper mentioned by Dr. Smith, visit: https://doi.org/10.1002/jac5.70165

More information about the BPS Research Seed Grant can be found here: https://bpsweb.org/bps-seed-grant/  

We'll catch you next episode!

In this episode, Emily Weyenberg, 2025-2026 BPS Executive Fellow, is joined by Dr. C. Edwin "Ed" Webb, a nationally respected pharmacy leader, to discuss the history of BPS and how his career has shaped the way pharmacy credentialing and board certification exists today. Dr. Webb reflects on his contributions to multiple BPS specialty petitions, and the growth of board certification over the past 50 years. He also shares his insights into the evolution of board certification and its growing role in clinical practice.

To join in the 50th celebration, visit bpsweb.org/50years. We look forward to bringing the celebration to conferences across the U.S., so make sure to stop by the BPS booth!

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In this episode, Ellie LaNou, PharmD, BCPS, is joined by Joanna Gillette, ACCP Director of Professional Development and Marketing; and Kristi Hofer, ASHP Senior Director of Board Certification Programs. Together, they discuss the relationship between BPS and the approved professional development programs that offer recertification activities for board-certified pharmacists. They discuss what collaboration between the organizations has looked like over the past (almost!) 50 years, how recertification programming is developed and has evolved, and their visions for the future.

For more information about the call of papers for the special edition of JACCP mentioned during the episode, visit: https://accpjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/journal/25749870/call-for-papers/value-of-board-certification.

More information about the recertification requirements can be found here: https://bpsweb.org/recertification-overview/. The BPS-approved professional development programs for each specialty certification can be found at: https://bpsweb.org/recertification-by-continuing-pharmacy-education. BPS does not create, sponsor, nor endorse training or educational opportunities for any BPS Examinations.

Information about how a professional development program is approved to provide recertification offerings for a certification program can be found here: https://www.bpsweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2022-BPS-RFP-PDP.pdf.

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In this episode, guest-host CharLeigh Steverson, PharmD, 2024-2025 BPS Executive Fellow, is joined by members of the pharmacy leadership team at Mayo Clinic, the 2025 recipient of the BPS Beacon Award, to discuss howemployers can encourage and support BPS Board Certification. Julie Cunningham, PharmD, BCPP; Scott Hall, PharmD, BCPS; and Christi Jen, PharmD, BCPS, BCEMP,FASHP, FAzPA, share how Mayo Clinic invests in its pharmacists through robust support of board certification and how this investment benefits Mayo Clinic pharmacists, enhances patient care, and strengthens the organization as awhole.

The BPS Beacon Award recognizes national and local patient care organizations that have made outstanding voluntarycontributions to advancing BPS Board Certification for pharmacists. Nominations for BPS Awards, including the BPS Beacon Award, open annually in July. To learn more about BPS Awards, and previous recipients, visit: https://bpsweb.org/awards/. The announcement for the 2025 BPS Award recipients can be found here: https://bpsweb.org/2025/01/15/bps-announces-2025-award-recipients/.

We look forward to seeing you in the nextepisode!

In this episode, Ellie LaNou, PharmD, BCPS, sits down with Michael J. Rouse, BPharm (Hons), MPS, FFIP, Senior Director of Global Initiatives for the American Pharmacists Association and Consultant for International Initiatives for the Board of Pharmacy Specialties, to discuss international pharmacy. Ellie and Mike discuss the growth of board certification with pharmacists practicing outside of the United States and potential drivers for interest in board certification with this audience. They also highlight a funding opportunity for international research through the BPS and International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Foundation for Education and Research collaborative grant.

More information about the growth of board certification can be found here: https://bpsweb.org/annual-reports/. Researchers interested in the BPS/FIP Foundation Grant can visit this webpage: https://bpsweb.org/bps-fip-foundation-research-grant/. International pharmacists interested in board certification are encouraged to use this webpage prior to applying: https://bpsweb.org/tips-for-applicants-outside-the-u-s/. Pharmacists interested in volunteer opportunities with BPS can visit this webpage: https://bpsweb.org/volunteer-with-bps/.

See you next episode, listeners!

In this episode, Ellie LaNou, PharmD, BCPS, sits down with Avis Bullard, MS, ASQ-CSSBB, Senior Director of Quality Assurance at BPS, to dive deep into the world of quality assurance. They explore the critical role of quality assurance in various industries, including within an organization like BPS, and how it impacts everything from day-to-day operations to customer satisfaction. Avis shares insights into maintaining high standards and a standard approach to customer experience, and the vital connection between quality assurance and exceptional customer service.

More information on the accreditations held by BPS can be found here:https://bpsweb.org/accreditation/. Additional information on the Lean Six Sigma Certification can be found here:https://asq.org/.

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In this episode of the BPS Board-Certified Pharmacist Podcast, host Ellie LaNou, PharmD, BCPS, is joined by Karen Gunning, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, FCCP, Chair of the BPS Employer Advisory Council, to discuss the first year of continuing professional development (CPD) and Karen's insights as part of the first cohort eligible for the CPD recertification framework. They discuss what CPD is, how many pharmacists may already be partaking in this version of continuous learning, and how it can help practitioners get out of their comfort zones and learn new things.

Information on CPD within the BPS Recertification Framework can be found here: https://bpsweb.org/recertification-overview/. BPS also answers many frequently asked questions here: https://bpsweb.org/faq/#cpd. Listeners can find general information about CPD on ACPE’s site here: https://www.acpe-accredit.org/continuing-professional-development/

See you next year and next episode!

On today's episode of the BPS Board-Certified Pharmacist Podcast, host Ellie LaNou, PharmD, BCPS, is joined with APPE Student Robyn Turner as she rounds out her four-week rotation at BPS. They discuss Robyn's interests in pharmacy, what the rotation at BPS has meant to her, and how board certification may factor into her future career.

For more information on the APPE Program with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) and BPS, listeners can visit https://www.pharmacist.com/Membership/Student-Pharmacists/APhA-Experiential-Programs. To view student resources on the BPS website, listeners can visit https://bpsweb.org/students/.

We'll catch you next episode!

On this episode, Parth Patel, PharmD, BPS Executive Resident, is joined by Sha-Phawn Williams PharmD, BCACP and Clinical Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Howard University and Clinical Pharmacist at Community of Hope, to discuss language interpretation services and adding value for the next generation of student pharmacists. They talk about Sha-Phawn's board certification in ambulatory care pharmacy, and the value of teaching student pharmacists how to utilize advancing technologies to improve communication with patients and thereby enhance their patient care practices.

The language line tool can be found here: https://www.languageline.com/translation-services.

More information on how to work effectively with an interpreter can be found here: https://thinkculturalhealth.hhs.gov/assets/pdfs/resource-library/working-effectively-with-interpreter.pdf.

Students interested in planning their path to BPS Board Certification can visit this webpage: https://bpsweb.org/students/. Thanks for

Join our host Ellie LaNou, BPS Director of Professional Affairs, as she talks with Amanda Charlton, PharmD; Krystal Haase, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP, FCCP; and Tim Jones, PharmD, about their research projects as the 2022-2023 BPS Seed Grant Recipients. They share background on why they pursued their research, what they have found, and what hopes they have for future research into board certification.

Dr. Charlton and Dr. Haase's project, titled ‘Distribution and Accessibility of Board-Certified Pharmacists’, aims to identify the geographic distribution of board-certified pharmacists within the United States, analyze their relation to existing health care accessibility patterns, and characterize any drivers that enhance the accessibility a patient may have to a board-certified pharmacist.

Dr. Jones' project, titled ‘Impact of board certification on quality of care provided by evening shift critical care pharmacist services’, investigated how board certification in critical care (BCCCP) can play a role in increasing the number and intensity of interventions, improving patient safety and clinical decision-making. You can find the AJHP article Dr. Jones mentioned on guidance on how to report cost avoidance measures in pharmacy practice here: ⁠https://doi.org/10.1093/ajhp/zxab211⁠.

More information about the BPS Seed Grant can be found here: ⁠https://bpsweb.org/bps-seed-grant/⁠. The BPS Literature Library is accessible here: ⁠https://bpsweb.org/literature-library/⁠. See you next episode!