Janice Munroe
Over the years, the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (CSHP) has grown to more than 3000 members. We’ve come a long way since 1947, when the Society was established by a small group of dedicated hospital pharmacists, who identified the importance of professional recognition.
From the very beginning, the strength and accomplishments of CSHP have been due to the commitment, vision, contributions, and Pharm ACTION of the members. The recognition of CSHP members’ achievements has grown, along with the organization, to the extensive and vibrant fellowship, research, and awards programs that we know today.
In 1968, CSHP announced the establishment of its Fellowship Program as follows: “This will be a category of membership which is not intended to be merely a means of recognizing hospital pharmacists for their achievements and contribution to the profession, but rather a means of providing a stimulus and challenge for hospital pharmacists to raise standards of professional service and make hospital pharmacy an even more attractive specialty.” In its more than 4 decades, the CSHP Fellows Program has evolved but has never wavered from this original goal. At CSHP’s 43rd Professional Practice Conference, held recently in Toronto, Fellow status was awarded to 6 noteworthy and accomplished pharmacists in recognition of their contributions to CSHP and to the profession.
CSHP members who conduct research are eligible to apply to the Research and Education Foundation (CSHP Foundation) for grants. The CSHP Foundation is an independent charitable organization created by the Society to support research and educational programs that advance patient-centred pharmacy practice in hospitals and related health care settings. In the past few years, the CSHP Research Committee has hosted workshops to recognize and support the development of novice researchers. According to the train-the-trainer principle, participants have then extended their newly acquired knowledge to others. The CSHP Foundation provided financial support for the most recent workshops. These workshops have expanded the comfort zone of pharmacists interested in pursuing research activities. The number of grant applications has grown, and increasing numbers of CSHP members are receiving grants to support their research endeavours. During the 2011/2012 fiscal year, over $30,000 was awarded.
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The goal of the CSHP Awards Program is to improve patient outcomes by promoting excellence in hospital pharmacy practice. At the 43rd Professional Practice Conference, 16 awards were bestowed on 36 worthy CSHP members for their contributions. These pharmacists were acknowledged for their contributions to patient care, hospital pharmacy practice, and patient safety.
CSHP is what it is today as a direct result of the contributions of dedicated members. CSHP members have had the vision and commitment to advance hospital pharmacy practice and, in turn, patient safety. CSHP is as strong as its members are active. It’s important to acknowledge and recognize how vitally important CSHP members are to the future of hospital pharmacy practice and to CSHP. As such, the CSHP fellows, research, and awards programs are for YOU.
Thank you, and congratulations on all of your accomplishments and contributions to safe patient care. Keep up the Pharm ACTION !
Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy , VOLUME 65 , NUMBER 2 , March-April 2012