Ohio State College of Pharmacy and APhA collaborate to create first-of-its-kind advocacy position
The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) have partnered to develop an inaugural clinical faculty track position within the college’s Division of Pharmacy Practice and Science centered around pharmacist practice change and legislative and regulatory advocacy. E. Michael Murphy, PharmD, has been appointed to the role effective July 1, 2021.
Through the position, Dr. Murphy will coordinate and teach online undergraduate and professional courses focused on legislative advocacy. Additionally, Murphy will support APhA’s state-level efforts to drive pharmacy practice forward. This position will focus on wholistically expanding the role of and opportunities for pharmacists, ultimately increasing access to patient care.
“Ohio has been on the forefront of practice change and advancement for years,” said Henry J. Mann, dean and professor at the College of Pharmacy. “We are incredibly excited about the opportunity to continue this work with Dr. Murphy and APhA and continuing to lead the advancement of patient care in Ohio and around the world.”
“APhA is laser-focused on the issues that matter most to pharmacists, and no one has had their finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the trenches like Michael Murphy.” Said Scott J. Knoer, MS, PharmD, FASHP, executive vice president and CEO of APhA
“In Ohio, Michael has been an integral part of the state efforts to reform the pharmacy payment model and advance the role of the pharmacist. And he’s worked directly with payers and pharmacists on the ground to implement provider status and provide a higher standard of care to patients. He has all the tools APhA needs to help move the profession beyond the status quo and into the future. We look forward to partnering with our fellow pharmacy patriots at the Ohio State University College of Pharmacy,” Knoer said.
Murphy is coming to the position after completing the Pharmacy Advancement Fellowship at the Ohio State College of Pharmacy, where he taught, conducted research and advocated for increased patient access to pharmacist-provided care. He also served on a team working at the Ohio Pharmacists Association on the implementation of pharmacist provider status legislation in Ohio.
Murphy earned his Doctor of Pharmacy from Ohio State in 2018 and completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency in an Ambulatory Care Setting at Ohio State in 2019. He has held several volunteer leadership positions, including as the national president of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists in 2017-2018 and a member of the 2017-2018 APhA Board of Trustees.
As advancement fellow at Ohio State, Murphy worked to develop an advocacy experience within an advanced pharmacy practice experience that has enabled fourth-year PharmD students and preceptors to confidently host legislators at their practice sites and discuss the critical role pharmacists play on health care teams.
“It is the professional responsibility of all pharmacists and students to advocate for optimal patient care. As the importance of advocacy comes into the spotlight, we must be sure to equip our students with the skills to create positive change in the health care system,” Murphy said. “I am excited to continue this work through this new position and to do so with the partnership of APhA.”
About The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy
Established in 1885, The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy is a global leader in pharmaceutical education, research and clinical practice. As part of one of the most comprehensive health sciences campuses in the nation, the college is home to world-class faculty, dedicated researchers and top-notch students who are leading the way in patient care outcomes. The college’s professional program is currently ranked seventh in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
About the American Pharmacists Association
The American Pharmacists Association is only organization advancing the entire pharmacy profession. Our expert staff, and strong volunteer leadership, including many experienced pharmacists, allow us to deliver vital leadership to help pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists and pharmacy technicians find success and satisfaction in their work, while advocating for changes that benefit them, their patients and their communities. For more information, please visit www.pharmacist.com.