Attendee Profiles
Learn about the other attendees of the 2026 NCPO meeting.

Paul W. Abramowitz, PharmD, ScD (Hon), FASHP
Chief Executive Officer, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
Paul W. Abramowitz is the Chief Executive Officer of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and President of the ASHP Foundation.
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ASHP is the largest association of pharmacy professionals in the United States, representing 60,000 pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians in all patient care settings, including hospitals, ambulatory clinics, and health-system community pharmacies. For over 80 years, ASHP has championed innovation in pharmacy practice, advanced education and professional development, and served as a steadfast advocate for members and the patients they serve. ASHP is also the accrediting body for pharmacy residency and technician training programs, and provides comprehensive resources to support pharmacy professionals through every stage of their careers.
Prior to joining ASHP in September 2011, Dr. Abramowitz worked in hospitals and health-systems for over 30 years. He served as Associate Hospital Director for Professional Services and Chief Pharmacy Officer at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and Professor at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. He also held prior positions as Director of Pharmacy and Associate Professor at the Medical College of Virginia and the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Abramowitz received a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry and Biology from Indiana University, a Bachelors Degree in Pharmacy from the University of Toledo, a PharmD from the University of Michigan, and completed his residency at the University of Michigan Medical Center.
In addition to serving as ASHP President in 1993-94 and as Treasurer of ASHP from 2007-10, he chaired the Boards of: the ASHP Research and Education Foundation, the Iowa Board of Pharmacy, and the Iowa Statewide Poison Control Center.
Dr. Abramowitz has actively combined practice, teaching, and research throughout his career. He has lectured and published extensively focusing on: the effect that quality pharmacy care can have on improving outcomes and reducing costs of care, developing new pharmacy care models, reducing adverse drug events, and expanding comprehensive medication management to all sites of care.
He was a recipient of the John W. Webb Lecture Award in 2000 and the Harvey A.K. Whitney Lecture Award in 2009, health-system pharmacy’s highest honor. In 1990, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Toledo College of Pharmacy, in 2010, the Alumni Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, and in 2015, he was recognized as one of Washington’s Trending Association Leaders by Bisnow. Dr. Abramowitz received Honorary Doctor of Science degrees from the University of Toledo in 2013 and the Touro College and University System in 2022.
Currently, Dr. Abramowitz serves on the Boards of the American Nurses Foundation, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the GTMRx Institute. He also serves on the Howard University College of Pharmacy Board of Visitors and is a Professor-Emeritus at the University of Iowa.

Steven C. Anderson, FASAE, CAE, IOM
President & Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS)
Steven C. Anderson FASAE, CAE, IOM is President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), a position he assumed in 2007.
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He represents and is the chief spokesperson for an industry that has annual sales of more than $1 trillion, employs more than 3.2 million individuals, and works with suppliers and other partners to help meet the health, wellness, and daily needs of patients and consumers across America. Nearly all Americans (91 percent), live within five miles of a retail pharmacy.
Anderson also serves as Chairman of the NACDS Foundation, whose mission is to utilize and support education, research, and charitable involvement to help people improve their health and quality of life through an understanding of medication therapy, and the importance of taking medications appropriately.
The influential National Journal said that Anderson has a “reputation as Mr. Fix-It” throughout the country as a result of his leadership as CEO. Association Bisnow called Anderson the “turn around man.” He has “a reputation for building brand, clout, and revenue” at the three national trade associations where he has served as President and Chief Executive Officer.
Anderson was named the “2016 Trade Association CEO of the Year,” by CEO Update magazine, the most prestigious award in the association profession. The independent panel that selected him said, “If you look up ‘trade group leader’ in the dictionary, a photo of Steve Anderson will appear. In his long Washington, D.C. career, he’s checked all the boxes. Top executive, industry advocate, association community presence. In his years leading NACDS, he’s moved his group off shaky financial ground to strong fiscal footing. And against a backdrop of a sea change in health care, he’s piloted an advocacy thrust advancing the cause and profile of retail pharmacies as primary partners in neighborhood medical care.”
Anderson was also named the “Association Executive of the Year” by Association Trends magazine. Mass Market Retailers magazine has cited Anderson as one of the “50 Most Influential People” in retail for the past 14 years. Fortune Small Business magazine selected Anderson as one of its “Power 30” in America. On two occasions, Washingtonian magazine has named Anderson as a “power player” and one of the nation’s “50 Best Trade Association CEOs.” Under Anderson’s leadership, NACDS was named as one of the “Top Places to Work” by CEO Update.
Anderson served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) from 2021-2022, and Chairman of the ASAE Research
Foundation from 2020-2021. In 2020, ASAE selected Anderson as a Fellow, one of the association community’s highest honors.
Anderson served three terms on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and he currently serves on the U.S. Chamber Foundation Advisory Committee. Anderson served as Chairman of the National Board of Trustees of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management.
Former Secretary of State General Colin L. Powell named Anderson to the Board of Trustees of America’s Promise – The Alliance for Youth, which was founded by Powell, where he served for ten years.
Before he joined NACDS, Anderson was President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Restaurant Association for eight years. Prior to that, Anderson held several management positions at the American Frozen Food Institute before becoming the national trade association’s President and Chief Executive Officer, a position he held for ten years. Before he entered the association profession, Anderson was a candidate for the United States House of Representatives from the 16th Congressional District of Illinois. Prior to his candidacy, Anderson served as a senior staff member to Congressman John B. Anderson (no relation), the Chairman of the House Republican Conference and the third ranking Republican in the House of Representatives.
Anderson is passionate and committed to education. He currently serves on the Board of Visitors of the Wake Forest University School of Business, and Elon University’s President’s Advisory Council. Anderson was the Paul E. Wise Executive in Residence at the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics. He served for ten years on the Board of Trustees of Cornell College and on the Advisory Board of Cornell’s Berry Center for Economics, Business, and Public Policy. Anderson has been a visiting lecturer and speaker at Wake Forest University, Elon University, Duke University, Northwestern University, American University, Washington State University, the University of Colorado, and Ohio Northern University, among others.
Anderson achieved a Certificate from the Harvard University Kennedy School Executive Education Program in Non-Profit Leadership. As a continuous learner, he is continuing his coursework at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Anderson is a graduate of Cornell College. While studying in England during his time at Cornell, Anderson was a clerk for The Honorable William Hamling, a member of the British House of Commons. He holds the IOM designation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management, and the FASAE and CAE designations conferred by the American Society of Association Executives.
Anderson has been interviewed on the “NBC Nightly News,” “CBS Evening News,” “ABC World News Tonight,” “The Today Show,” C-Span, CNN, Bloomberg, Fox News Channel, and other major television and radio outlets. Anderson has been cited in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, and other major domestic and international publications.

Lemrey “Al” Carter, PharmD, MS, RPh
Executive Director/Secretary, National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)
Dr. Carter is the Executive Director of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) and the Secretary of the Association’s Executive Committee.
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NABP is an international organization whose membership includes the state boards of pharmacy in all 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and all 10 provincial pharmacy regulatory agencies in Canada.
Dr. Carter currently serves as a Governor of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Board of Directors, chair of the PTCB Certification Council, and member of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s (AHRQ’s) National Advisory Council. Dr. Carter is a former member and chair of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation – State Board of Pharmacy.
Dr. Carter graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana, College of Pharmacy, with a Doctor of Pharmacy, and he received his Master of Science degree with studies focused on pharmacy regulation and policy from the University of Florida.

Chester "Chip" Davis, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA)
Chester “Chip” Davis, Jr., JD, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of HDA and President of the HDA Research Foundation.
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Mr. Davis joined HDA in March 2020 from the Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM), the nation’s leading trade association for manufacturers of generic and biosimilar medicines, where he served as President and Chief Executive Officer since 2015. Mr. Davis oversees HDA’s day-to-day operations and is responsible for ensuring that the organization’s members have a strong advocacy voice in legislation, regulation, and policy.
Prior to AAM, Mr. Davis held leadership roles at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and AstraZeneca, where in 2007 he was recognized as one of the inaugural winners of the CEO Leadership Award.
Mr. Davis earned an undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of Delaware, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law.

Melanie Dodd, PharmD, PhC, BCPS, FASHP
President, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
Dr. Melanie Dodd is associate dean for clinical affairs and professor, The University of New Mexico (UNM) College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque.
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She earned her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Purdue University and Doctor of Pharmacy from UNM and completed her pharmacy practice residency at Presbyterian Healthcare Services. She oversees innovative clinical models and faculty clinical services, including credentialing, contracting, billing and reimbursement. She provides key pharmacy professional advocacy and serves on academic and health-system leadership committees. Dr. Dodd is a pharmacist clinician in geriatric primary care with broad prescriptive authority at the UNM Hospitals Senior Health Clinic and is a consultant pharmacist for 340B-eligible and other ambulatory clinics. She is responsible for extensive didactic and clinical teaching activities in the UNM PharmD program and Health Sciences Center, including geriatric syndromes, pharmacy law, interprofessional education, and precepting residents. Her research includes geriatric syndromes, advanced practice pharmacist models, and scholarship of teaching.
Dr. Dodd’s ASHP service includes member of the Board of Directors and chair, ASHP House of Delegates (2021-2024), chair of the Council on Public Policy, chair of the Section of Ambulatory Care Practitioners (SACP), member, Pharmacy Forecast Advisory Committee, and NM delegate to the House of Delegates for 14 years. She is past president of NMSHP and faculty advisor for the UNM SSHP. She has received numerous awards for her service to the profession, including the ASHP Pharmacy Champion Award, SACP Distinguished Service Award, Fellow of ASHP, and NMSHP Dorothy Dillon Memorial Lecture Award.

Rick Gates
Chairman, Board for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS)
Rick Gates is the Chief Pharmacy Officer at Walgreens, where he leads the transformation of pharmacy at one of the nation’s largest healthcare companies.
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Based in Deerfield, Illinois, Rick brings 30 years of frontline and executive experience to Walgreens’ mission to reimagine local healthcare and expand access to pharmacy-led services across the U.S.
Since joining Walgreens in 1995 as a pharmacist, Rick has held a series of leadership roles spanning store operations, strategic partnerships, field management, and enterprise pharmacy initiatives. As SVP of Pharmacy and Healthcare, he led commercial development across health plans, PBMs, biopharma, and health systems—overseeing specialty pharmacy, clinical services, contracting, supply chain, and innovation partnerships.
Today, Rick is driving the evolution of Walgreens’ pharmacy operating model and unlocking new capabilities in care delivery, while advancing the profession of pharmacy through modernized services and tech-enabled care.
Rick currently serves as Chairman of the Board for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) and sits on the boards of the Center for American Medicine Independence, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy, Surescripts and iA Rx. He also champions diversity as the executive sponsor of the Latino Professional Network at Walgreens Boots Alliance.
He holds a B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Iowa, which honored him with its Distinguished Alumni Award in 2022. He is an active member of the American Pharmacists Association, NCPDP, and Health Evolution.

B. Douglas Hoey, RPh, MBA
Chief Executive Officer, National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
Douglas Hoey is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Community Pharmacists Association.
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NCPA represents the owners of nearly 19,000 pharmacy small businesses who’s pharmacists provide prescription dispensing services and help fill primary care gaps. Consumers consistently rank community pharmacies as the top-rated pharmacies in the country.
Hoey is a licensed pharmacist in Oklahoma, Virginia, and Texas and practiced in community pharmacies including his family’s pharmacy before coming to NCPA. He is widely quoted by media as an industry expert on community pharmacy payment and practice issues. Hoey also developed and taught pharmacology courses at George Washington and Marymount universities.
He is President of the World Pharmacy Council, a member of the Surescripts Board of Directors, Chairman of the NCPA Innovation Center, and co-Chairman of the Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services-USA Board.
His pharmacy degree is from the University of Oklahoma, and his MBA is from the Oklahoma City University.

Michael D. Hogue, PharmD, FAPhA, FNAP, FFIP
Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
Hogue has more than 25 years of experience in community practice as both a pharmacy owner and a staff pharmacist, as well as an ambulatory care provider in family and preventive medicine.
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Prior to becoming CEO of APhA in 2023, Hogue was the Dean of Pharmacy at Loma Linda University with faculty appointments in both the schools of pharmacy and medicine. In addition, he was the Director of Interprofessional Education and Practice and was responsible for launching a comprehensive pharmacotherapy clinic in collaboration with Loma Linda University Health’s Faculty Medical Group practice.
His work in collaboration with state pharmacy associations over many years has resulted in all 50 states authorizing pharmacists to administer vaccines. Hogue was the first pharmacist appointed by CDC to serve on its COVID-19 vaccine workgroup in April 2020, and he served as APhA’s liaison representative to ACIP from 2020 through 2023. He also served on the Adult RSV Vaccine Workgroup for ACIP.
He is married to pharmacist Heather Hogue, PharmD, a faculty member in physician assistant studies at California Baptist University. Michael and Heather are parents to two adult daughters who are both in the health care industry.

Randal McDonough, PharmD, MS, BCGP, BCPS, FAPhA
President, American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
Dr. Randy McDonough is Co-owner/CEO of Towncrest, Solon Towncrest, Towncrest LTC, Towncrest Wellness Apothecary, Bennett Pharmacy, and Cornerstone Apothecary Pharmacies.
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He is also co-founder/co-owner of Innovative Pharmacy Solutions and Professor of Pharmacy Management and Innovation at Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy. He is responsible for development, implementation, and quality assurance for all aspects of the clinic and services. He is board certified in geriatrics and as a pharmacotherapy specialist. His areas of interest include community-based outcomes research, student development, residency training, geriatrics, new business models for service delivery, and developing and implementing patient care services. Dr. McDonough has published and presented extensively about pharmaceutical care, MTM, and implementing patient care services in the community pharmacy setting. He is recognized for his efforts in developing and implementing new pharmacy business models. He has co-authored a book on pharmaceutical care and has written chapters for several other texts. He has presented nationally and internationally on pharmaceutical care, MTM services and Performance Measures in the community pharmacy setting. Dr. McDonough is a member of the American Pharmacists Association, National Community Pharmacists Association, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists, American College of Clinical Pharmacy, and the Iowa Pharmacists Association. He served in various roles in these organizations. He is recognized nationally for his work, and he received the APhA Daniel B. Smith Award, NCPA Independent Pharmacist of the Year, IPA Innovative Pharmacist of the Year, and Parata’s Lifetime Achievement, Entrepreneurial, and Patient Care Pharmacist of the Year Awards.

Lucinda L. Maine, PhD, FAPhA, FFIP
Chair, U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP)
Lucinda Maine has been a leader in the pharmacy profession since she was a student at Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy in the 1970’s.
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She continued her formal education at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy in the Kellogg Pharmaceutical Clinical Scientist Fellowship program. Her area of studies included drug use in the elderly, health policy, and public health.
Upon completing her PhD, Maine began her career as an Assistant Professor in Minnesota with a joint appointment at the College and a multispecialty group ambulatory care practice, putting her knowledge of geriatric medication management to work. Her second academic and first management position was at Samford University School of Pharmacy in the role of Association Dean for Student and Alumni.
Following her years in education, Lucinda completed 30 years of experience in association management. In 1992 she joined the senior staff of the American Pharmacists Association managing the areas of APhA academies, policy development through the House of Delegates, government affairs, and communications. After 10 years at APhA, Lucinda assumed the position of Executive Vice President and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), a position she held for 20 years until she transitioned to “preferment”.
As a founding member of the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC), Lucinda has deep knowledge and experience in building learning opportunities to equip tomorrow’s health professionals to deliver patient-centered team-based care. Her 30 years of experience in association executive management provides networks of both post-secondary education organizations and health professions associations. She is passionate about the value of experiential learning to enable students to deepen their classroom education and gain the skills that employers need in their workforce.
Dr. Maine has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the highest honor awarded in pharmacy, the Remington Honor Medal. Others include the Linwood Tice Friend of APhA-ASP, the Gloria Neymeyer Francke Mentor Leadership Award, and honorary degrees from Western University of the Health Sciences and Ohio Northern University. The Association of American Medical Colleges presented her their Special Recognition Award for her work in IPE.
She lives in the small town of Mineral, Virginia with her husband Pastor Dan Albrant. In October 2025, Lucinda was elected Chair of the Board for the US Pharmacopeia Convention.

Scott M. Melville
President and Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA)
Melville is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) and leads the organization’s efforts to empower consumer self-care by preserving and expanding choice and availability of consumer healthcare products, including OTC medicines, dietary supplements and consumer medical devices.
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With a diverse background in pharmaceuticals, association management, public policy and law, Melville has advocated before Congress, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, state legislative and regulatory bodies, and the media. Prior to joining CHPA, Melville served as senior vice president for government affairs and general counsel for the Healthcare Distribution Alliance (formerly HDMA), the national association representing pharmaceutical wholesale distributors.
Previously, Melville served as an attorney and head of government relations for Cephalon, Inc., an international biopharmaceutical company, since acquired by TEVA Pharmaceuticals, and in public policy and government affairs positions at Hoffmann-La Roche and Sterling Winthrop, Inc. He is a former chair of the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Association. Prior to joining the pharmaceutical industry, Melville served as legislative counsel and Appropriations Committee associate on the staff of retired U.S. Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.).
Melville earned his bachelor's degree in economics and political science from Bucknell University, and his juris doctorate from George Mason University's Antonin Scalia School of Law. He serves on the board of the Global Self-Care Federation.

Jeffrey J. Mesaros, PharmD, JD, RPh
Chairperson, National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)
Dr. Mesaros, a member of the Florida Board of Pharmacy, automatically assumed the position of chairperson.
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Prior to becoming chairperson, Dr Mesaros served 1-year terms as president, president-elect, treasurer, and 3 years as a member of the Executive Committee (District 3). During his term as president, Dr Mesaros led an initiative to embrace innovative technologies, outlining the main objective for the initiative: developing NABP’s new Research and Innovation Institute to provide an environment to share, study, and evaluate relevant technologies and digital health concepts and resources. Dr Mesaros has been a registered pharmacist for more than 20 years and has practiced as a pharmacist attorney for more than 15 years. As a member of NABP, Dr Mesaros has made many contributions to the NABP/American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) District 3 meetings and has served as the District 3 representative on the Committee on Resolutions. In addition, Dr Mesaros served on the Work Group on the Development of an Interstate Endorsement Credential, the Task Force on the Regulation of Pharmacy Benefit Managers, and the Task Force on the Definition of a Patient-Pharmacist Relationship. Dr Mesaros is also active with several other professional organizations, including the American Bar Association, the American Society for Pharmacy Law, and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). He has served as an adjunct faculty member of the University of Florida College of Pharmacy and the University of Hawaii at Hilo – the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy. Dr Mesaros earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy and his juris doctor degree from the University of Miami School of Law. He received his Master of Science degree in pharmacy regulation and policy from the University of Florida.

John A. Murphy III, JD
President & CEO, Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM)
John Murphy is the President and CEO of the Association of Accessible Medicines (AAM), the preeminent global trade association representing the prescription generics and biosimilars industry.
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Under his leadership, AAM is dedicated to enhancing access to safe, high-quality, and affordable medication for all patients in need. Mr. Murphy is at the forefront of AAM’s efforts to foster a sustainable and resilient supply chain for generics and biosimilars, while continuously striving to broaden the range of affordable medication options available globally from AAM members.
Mr. Murphy served as Chief Policy Officer and Senior Healthcare Counsel at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), where he led domestic and international policy initiatives and directed the legal affairs of BIO’s healthcare division.
Mr. Murphy holds degrees from Villanova University and the Catholic University Columbus School of Law. His career also includes experience in healthcare regulatory and enforcement matters at Hogan Lovells, LLP, as well as serving as Assistant General Counsel for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

Ronald T. Piervincenzi, PhD
CEO, U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP)
Ronald T. Piervincenzi, Ph.D., began his tenure as CEO of the United States Pharmacopeia in February 2014.
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Dr. Piervincenzi provides strategic leadership to USP’s over 1,300 global staff across regions including North America, Latin America, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Africa, and Europe. His transformative vision has launched key USP initiatives in bringing quality across the healthcare spectrum, upholding USP’s reputation as a quality leader since its founding in 1820. Under his leadership, USP has modernized its operations and launched innovative new science, including in the areas of digital medicine, cutting-edge manufacturing technologies and advanced biologics. USP has a robust suite of capability building offerings including quality manufacturing advisory services, technical assistance and education to address today’s critical supply chain challenges.
Dr. Piervincenzi has more than 25 years of industry experience across pharmaceutical sciences, research and business strategy. Before joining USP, Dr. Piervincenzi served as VP of Development Sciences with Biogen and was a partner and leader in McKinsey & Company's Global Pharmaceutical and Medical Products practice for over 12 years. Dr. Piervincenzi earned his M.S. and Ph.D. from Duke University in biomedical engineering. He is the proud co-founder and chairman of the board for MENTOR Newark.

Kristen Riddle, PharmD
President, National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
Hometown: Greenbrier, Arkansas
Undergraduate- BS in Dietetics- University of Central Arkansas
Doctor of Pharmacy-University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Pharmacy
Pharmacy: American Home Pharmacy in Clinton, Arkansas
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Notes of interest: Kristen is a past president of the Arkansas Pharmacist Association. She received the APA Pharmacist of the Year in 2024. Among her other industry activities is serving as a delegate to the United States Pharmacopeia.

Kasey K. Thompson, PharmD, MS, MBA
Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
Dr. Kasey Thompson is Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) in Bethesda, Maryland.
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Dr. Thompson has published numerous articles on medication-use safety and health policy, and is co-editor of the 2005 book: Medication Safety: A Guide for Health Care Facilities. Dr. Thompson has given presentations nationally and internationally; has testified before the United States Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, and before a variety of federal agencies; and has served on numerous advisory committees and governing boards for various public and private sector organizations.
Dr. Thompson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in cellular biology from Northeastern Oklahoma State University; and Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from the University of Oklahoma, College of Pharmacy. He also holds an M.S. in Information Technology and an M.B.A. from the University of Maryland University College.

Stephen J. Ubl
President and Chief Executive Officer, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
Stephen J. Ubl is president and chief executive officer of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), which represents America’s leading biopharmaceutical research companies.
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The U.S. biopharmaceutical sector directly employs more than 800,000 Americans and invests more than $100 billion in research and development annually – more than any other industry in America.
Ubl leads PhRMA’s work preserving and strengthening a health care and economic environment that encourages medical innovation, new drug discovery and access to life-saving medicines. Ubl is recognized around the world as a leading health care advocate and policy expert who collaborates successfully with diverse stakeholder groups – including patient and physician groups, regulators, public and private payers, and global trade organizations – to help ensure timely patient access to innovative treatments and cures. The New York Times writes, “If anyone can find areas of agreement with the critics, or at least work productively with them, it may be Mr. Ubl. He is more conversant with the intricacies of health policy, and more adept at the politics."
Previously, Ubl served as president and CEO of medical technology association AdvaMed, where he helped facilitate landmark reforms related to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration product review process and Medicare’s coverage and reimbursement of medical technologies. He led the industry’s defense of breakthrough R&D, successfully delaying an innovation-stifling device tax, and, in 2013, was recognized by a leading industry publication as one of 10 people to have a lasting impact on the medical technology industry.
Ubl has worked extensively with patient advocacy organizations in health policy, including longstanding service on the board of the National Health Council, a leading umbrella organization for voluntary health care organizations and has been personally involved with JDRF (formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).
He is routinely recognized as one of Washington’s most effective advocates. Ubl has been recognized on Business Insider’s “DC Healthcare Power Players” and Modern Healthcare’s “100 Most Influential People in Healthcare.” He is identified as a top health influencer by Medical Marketing & Media and PR Week magazines.

Lee C. Vermeulen, BSPharm, MS, FCCP, FFIP
Executive Vice President and CEO, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
Lee C. Vermeulen, BSPharm, MS, FCCP, FFIP is the Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP).
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Founded in 1900, AACP is the national organization representing pharmacy education in the United States, providing leadership in advancing and enhancing the quality of education and training in its member institutions – the 142 US colleges and schools of pharmacy – as well as individual members including administrators, faculty and staff of those institutions. AACP also represents more than 50,000 student pharmacists enrolled in professional programs and 5,100 individuals pursuing graduate study. Prior to serving as AACPs 7th EVP and CEO, Vermeulen held a variety of executive positions at UK HealthCare, the University of Kentucky health system, and at UW Health, the health system of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. At both health systems, he was responsible for the development and oversight of enterprise-wide efforts to reduce unnecessary care variation under consistent, evidence-based standards, thus achieving measurable improvements in quality and patient outcomes, and reducing cost. He has held academic appointments as Professor of Medicine and Pharmacy at the University of Kentucky, as well as Clinical Professor Pharmacy at UW-Madison. He is an active health services researcher with over 80 peer-reviewed publications, with an emphasis on interventions that improve the efficient delivery of high-quality health care, as well as forecasting emerging trends in health care cost and value. He received a BS degree in pharmacy from the University of Buffalo, and an MS degree in pharmacy administration from the UW-Madison. He completed residency training in pharmacy practice and pharmacy administration at the UW Hospital and Clinics, and served a fellowship in medical technology assessment at the University Healthsystem Consortium (now Vizient). Vermeulen has been awarded Fellowship in the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) and the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). He is the recipient of multiple awards, including Pharmacist of the Year from the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin, the Winston J. Durant Lecture Award from the University of Wisconsin, the Willis G. Gregory Memorial Award from the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the Donald E. Francke Medal from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

Robin Zavod, PhD, FAPhA
President, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
Dr. Robin Zavod is a Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Midwestern University College of Pharmacy, where she has served since 1994.
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She holds a BS in Biology/Chemistry from Bucknell University, an MS and PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Kansas and completed postdoctoral training in Organic Chemistry at Indiana University. At Midwestern, she serves on institutional committees, directs courses within the Integrated Sequence, and offers innovative electives.
A nationally recognized leader in pharmaceutical education, Dr. Zavod is the current President of AACP and has held numerous leadership roles, including Chair of the Council of Faculties and positions within the Chemistry Section. She is a Fellow of the American Pharmacists Association and has chaired key committees within APhA and AAPS, including the APRS Basic Sciences, Education, Career Development, and Content Advisory Committees. She also serves as an AFPE grant reviewer and ACPE accreditation site team member.
Dr. Zavod is a contributing author to Foye’s Principles of Medicinal Chemistry, Nutrition in Pharmacy Practice, and Gibaldi’s Drug Delivery Systems. She co-authored Basic Concepts in Medicinal Chemistry and Self-Assessment in Medicinal Chemistry with Dr. Marc Harrold. She is the founding Editor-in-Chief of Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning and the AAPS Introductions to Pharmaceutical Sciences book series.