Executive Commentary

A New Era of Partnership

Sean P Spina

To cite: Spina SP. A new era of partnership [commentary]. Can J Hosp Pharm. 2024;77(1):e3584. doi: 10.4212/cjhp.3584

The leadership of the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (CSHP) has been busy in recent months, working on initiatives intended to improve member benefits. As we get better at working around the ongoing challenges presented by COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, our members are eager to travel again in search of continuing education opportunities.

My journey as a CSHP Executive Officer over the past 3 years has been incredibly rewarding. Connecting with CSHP members from coast to coast, both virtually and in person, has given me a better appreciation of our diverse practice areas across Canada. When the experiences associated with these unique and diverse practices are woven together, they tell a story of commitment to the delivery of safe, effective patient-centred care across the full range of practice environments. Together, we are shaping care delivery across Canada and beyond.

I am thrilled to announce a significant milestone in the advancement of pharmacy practice and patient care—the signing of a renewed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the CSHP and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). On December 4, 2023, it was an honour for me to represent CSHP at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting in Anaheim, California, to sign the MOU (see Figure), which was collaboratively developed under the leadership of Jody Ciufo, CSHP’s CEO, and Paul Bush, ASHP’s Vice President for Global Resource Development and Consulting. I was excited to be surrounded by several CSHP pharmacist and technician members (including Megan Riordon, CSHP’s national Treasurer), who shared in this historic moment.

This collaboration marks a new era of partnership between our two esteemed organizations, which will foster a stronger connection between pharmacy practitioners on either side of the border. The renewed MOU outlines a framework for cooperation and collaboration to enhance the professional development and effectiveness of pharmacy professionals in hospital and health-system settings. The signing of this MOU is the first step toward renewed and invigorating collaboration.

This rekindling of our previous MOU represents not only the revival of a past agreement but also the start of a journey into a shared future. One pivotal aspect of the renewed MOU is the provision of reciprocal member rates. This strategic initiative aims to facilitate the exchange of expertise, knowledge, and experiences between our respective memberships. By offering preferential rates, we are creating tangible opportunities for our members to engage with and learn from one another, fostering a robust cross-border dialogue that transcends geographic constraints.

I’m proud to say that our collaboration extends beyond the mere financial aspects of membership rates. Rather, it’s about a profound commitment to harnessing the collective strength and wisdom of our members, ultimately contributing to the advancement of hospital and health-system pharmacy practices.

We look forward to a fruitful partnership and are excited about the positive impact it will have on pharmacy professionals and the patients we serve. Together, we can achieve greater heights in advancing pharmacy practice and shaping the future of health care. The signing of this MOU further highlights how CSHP is collaborating on an international scale to propel our professions forward.

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© 2024 Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists | Société canadienne des pharmaciens d’hôpitaux

Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, VOLUME 77, NUMBER 1, 2024