Why have a Leadership Symposium?

I have been asked this question a few times.  Well, there are two reasons – member development and coordination of efforts.  Notice that I didn’t say that “continuing education”  was a reason.  The CE part is just an additional benefit to attendees.

Reason #1 is more critical.  Member (note that it’s singular) development is important to the future of pharmacy.  YOU need to know what is happening to the profession, why it is happening and what YOU can do about it.     The knowledge you will gain will strengthen your resolve and ability to protect your profession and your patients.   And pretty much, that’s the spring meeting!

Does it really matter if you attend?  Trust me — it does!  This is a part of YOUR  job.  Being EFFECTIVELY involved in public policy is integral to your profession.

You may not like the political process, but it directly affects you every day.  And it is impacting your profession more and more in areas such as license requirements, relationships with patients, the move to Medicaid Managed Care in March, audit and other insurance reimbursement challenges,  pending mail order pharmacy mergers, record-keeping demands and mandated pharmacy procedures.  These issues have resulted in growing financial pressures on the profession and have placed Texas pharmacy at a critical crossroads.

Reason #2 is less important.   The various Association governance meetings that take place during the summer conference are being moved to this meeting for greater efficiency for members and staff.  Hopefully, in 2013, the House of Delegates annual meeting and the installation of officers will move to this Leadership Symposium.  These changes allow the Conference and its attendees to focus on continuing education and exhibits.

So, please join your fellow pharmacy leaders on March 23 and 24 for the TPA Spring Leadership Symposium in Austin.  I promise that it will not be just another meeting!  You’ll hear leaders from NACDS and the State,  including Texas Comptroller Susan Combs, members of the Texas House Representatives and the Senate, Tom Suehs, executive commissioner of the Texas Health Facilities Commission, Texas Attorney General Greg Abott and experts in the field of politics and grassroots involvement.

Pharmacy needs you to be there.  For more information go online to www.RXPERT.ORG. 

 More to come . . .

Joe DaSilva

Chief Executive Officer
Texas Pharmacy Association

 

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