APhA Executive Postgraduate Training Program
The APhA Executive Postgraduate Training Program consists of five fellowship positions. The program is designed to challenge motivated individuals who have ambitions to contribute towards advancement of the pharmacy profession. The fellows work on high impact projects, representing APhA's members and developing their leadership skills alongside many pharmacy leaders during their 1-year term with the association.
Postgraduate Training Programs: Executive Fellowship and Fellowships
The APhA Executive Postgraduate Training Program provides pharmacists with training and experience in foundational association management at a national level to support APhA’s vision, mission, and reputation as the leading professional organization representing pharmacists in all practice settings. Fellows contribute to APhA’s strategic priorities and operations through collaborations with staff teams across the organization, developing lifelong skills to advance the profession of pharmacy.
This rigorous experience provides the opportunity to meet, interact with, and learn from well-respected and highly regarded professionals who are passionate about bold and transformational progress for the profession. Aspiring pharmacy leaders are encouraged to apply if they are motivated to implement innovative ideas, have a will to inspire change, and a desire to collaborate with members to advance the profession.
Positions within the program are 12-month paid opportunities that will take place at the historic APhA Headquarters located on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
Departments
Executive Fellowship, APhA Foundation
The APhA Foundation is a nonprofit organization with the mission of improving health by inspiring philanthropy, research, and innovation that advances pharmacists’ patient care services. The APhA Fellow is responsible for training individuals for leadership positions within the profession, completing a Certificate in Association Management through the American Society of Association Executives, interacting with senior staff, attending board meetings, and collaborating with Foundation staff to oversee Incentive Grants, Scholarships, and Pinnacle Awards.
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Fellowship, Board of Pharmacy Specialties
The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) learning experience provides a unique opportunity for residents to gain insight into the purpose, impact, and value of certification. Residents will be exposed to high-priority issues within the professional pharmacy landscape from the perspective of a certification agency, with a focus on specialization and advanced practice in the U.S. and around the globe. While integrated as a collaborative member on the Professional Affairs, Communications and Engagement (PACE) team, residents will engage internally with the other BPS teams (e.g., operations and logistics; psychometrics, testing, and research; and quality assurance) and externally with volunteer leaders, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders. Residents will enhance knowledge and skills in communications and project management by engaging in topic discussions, participating in meetings, and contributing to strategic goals and initiatives.
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Fellowship, Education
The Education Department is responsible for providing informative continuing education and
other educational resources for a variety of pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy
technicians in all practice settings. Fellows in this department are involved in the content
development process from start to finish, including concept development, communication with
subject matter experts (SMEs), content creation and review, project management, instructional
design, learning management and technology integrations, and post-publication marketing.
Fellows will continuously interface with various SMEs in a variety of areas to help create
materials and training for all APhA members. Fellows will also gain cross-departmental
exposure to business development, business strategy, and leadership development
Fellowship, Professional Affairs & Government Affairs
The Professional Affairs & Government Affairs teams work closely together to advocate for
practices and policies that advance the pharmacy profession. The Professional Affairs team
collaborates with external interested parties and groups to advance patient care service
delivery, support coverage for pharmacists’ patient care services, advance pharmacists’ impact
on public health and health equity, and address practice infrastructure needs. The Government
Affairs team monitors and engages in federal and state legislative and regulatory activities that
impact pharmacy, and educates pharmacists and student pharmacists on the importance of
grassroots advocacy. Fellows will spend time between both the Professional Affairs and
Government Affairs departments to advance the mission of the association and promote the role
of the pharmacists and pharmacy personnel in health care
Benefits
- Competitive stipend consistent with that of other pharmacy residencies and fellowships
- Social Security withholdings through payroll deductions
- Health and dental insurance (family coverage may be obtained)
- Group term life insurance and long-term disability insurance
- Ten days personal leave during the 1-year period
Qualifications
The APhA staff will select fellows based on the following qualifications:
- The applicant must be a graduate of an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited college or school of pharmacy.
- The applicant must be recommended by present or former employers, preceptors, college faculty, or dean.
How to apply
The application process for the 2025-2026 APhA Executive Postgraduate Training Program cohort will open up in October 2024. Please check back then for more information.
As part of the process, applicants will be asked to rank their preferred residency type (Board of Pharmacy Specialties, Education, APhA Foundation, Pharmacy Practice and Government Affairs). Also, electronically submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae (CV) via the application form. At a minimum, the following should be included in the applicant’s CV and/or cover letter:
- Contact information: Name, address, phone number, and email address
- Education and training: Institutions, locations, years attended, dates of graduation, type of training or major subject, degrees, and certificates
- Professional and related experience: Institution or organization, location, dates, type of work, and position title
- Organizational memberships (including positions held and activities): Professional, honorary, service, and social
- Publications
- Honors or awards received
- Personal objectives: Brief description of future goals and aspirations, and why the APhA Executive Postgraduate Training Program will be of value
The application also requires two letters of recommendation from any of the following: a present or former employer, preceptor, college faculty, or dean, which must be submitted directly within the application portal.
For more information and questions, please contact APhA’s Tom English at tenglish@aphanet.org.
Testimonials
2024-2025 APhA Executive Postgraduate Training Program Fellows share their experiences:
Yara Al-Shaer, Education
I pursued the education fellowship because I have always been passionate about optimizing
medication use within the profession. The fellowship has given me the unique opportunity to
create high-quality educational content that meets practice needs and supports pharmacists in
improving their ability to optimize medication use. The experience has been incredibly valuable,
allowing me to collaborate with subject matter experts across various areas of pharmacy. I’ve
had the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by developing educational content for
pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians. Additionally, my passion for
advocating for women’s health has been enriched by connecting with and working alongside
pharmacy leaders dedicated to this cause, which has been especially rewarding
Nicholas Bennett-Brush, Education
My time as an education fellow has significantly deepened my grasp of the profession. APhA’s
dedication to advancing the field and supporting its members aligns perfectly with my
commitment to servant leadership and pharmacy advocacy. During this fellowship, I’ve
collaborated with pharmacists across the country to deliver educational programs to pharmacists,
pharmacy technicians, and student pharmacists, which has been immensely rewarding. The
experiences with association management have enhanced my organizational and leadership
skills, providing a comprehensive view of the profession’s complexities. This fellowship has
been instrumental in building a solid foundation for my future career in pharmacy, integrating
both educational and managerial expertise
Cristian Rodriquez, APhA Foundation
In just the first few months with APhA, I traveled to many states and witnessed an array of
pharmacy experiences and models that have immensely expanded my knowledge of what
pharmacists are actively doing to care for patients. While most of my time is spent with the
APhA Foundation and helping to get pharmacists the recognition they deserve, this fellowship
experience also allows the opportunity to delve into all aspects of the association and gain insight
into what it takes to make a pharmacy organization run efficiently. If I could go back in time and
choose my path again, there is no doubt that I would again choose the APhA Foundation
Executive Fellowship again without hesitation!
CharLeigh Steverson, Board of Pharmacy Specialties
The mentorship from the BPS staff has been transformative, offering me hands-on experiences in
strategic planning, quality improvement initiatives, and practice implementation. These
opportunities have allowed me to refine my skills in shaping and advancing pharmacy practice
on a broad scale. I’ve also had the privilege of engaging with distinguished subject matter
experts, gaining unparalleled insights into advanced pharmacy practice and credentialing.
Collaborating with various stakeholders in credentialing has further enhanced my expertise and
provided a comprehensive understanding of the field. This experience has been both
professionally and personally fulfilling, enabling me to advance my career and contribute
meaningfully to the esteemed APhA community that has significantly influenced my
development
Corey Whetzel, Professional Affairs & Government Affairs
I have been exposed to various projects that have helped me grow personally and professionally.
These projects have expanded my knowledge of the current landscape of our profession and how
we can advance it to meet the needs of the communities we serve. This fellowship has also
provided me with the opportunity to collaborate with pharmacy professionals and external
stakeholders to better understand the concerns of practicing pharmacists, which has equipped me
to assist in the development of strategies and resources to help push the profession forward. I am
confident the skills I have acquired and the connections I have made during my time at APhA
will stay with me for many years to come