Proceedings of a leadership retreat conducted by the ASHP Foundation and the John W . Webb

Copyright © 2005, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. All rights reserved. 1079-2082/05/0402-0856$06.00. There is a pressing need to prepare health-system pharmacists for executive-level positions, motivate them to step into these roles and educate health-system administrators about the value a pharmacist in such a position could bring to his or her organization. To do this, the profession must encourage our current pharmacy leaders; recognize the important contributions they make as directors of pharmacy and support them in these positions; promote the value of leadership to students, residents, and current practitioners; and assist schools of pharmacy in preparing students for leadership positions. These are among the key points that emerged from a retreat sponsored by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Research and Education Foundation in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 25, 2004. Working with the Northeastern University School of Pharmacy, and supported by a grant from Amgen, Inc., the retreat brought together more than 20 experienced, recognized leaders in the profession of health-system pharmacy to listen to their thoughts, reactions, and insights regarding the work of Sara White. White spent four months as an ASHP Foundation Scholar-in-Residence researching issues that affect health-system pharmacy directors and leaders. She explored pressing leadership issues, including the shortage of young leaders, the effect of changes made to pharmacy school curricula, and the need for more postgraduate training for aspiring managers. The group represented a crosssection of perspectives in the profession, including long-time directors of pharmacy, pharmacy directors in the early stages of their careers, pharmacy directors with experience in urban and rural settings, and leaders of the ASHP Section of Pharmacy Practice Managers. Most were past recipients of Northeastern University’s John W. Webb Visiting Professorship in Hospital Pharmacy, an award that recognizes commitment to and excellence in hospital pharmacy management. The objectives of the retreat were to