President’s Perspective

President Cathy Hanna’s speech at the 2021 Ray Wirth Banquet on Saturday, June 5.

Good evening. I am deeply honored and humbled to be here tonight. I’d like to thank outgoing Chairman Don Kupper for his encouragement and support.

I also want to thank immediate Past President Joel Thornbury. Joel did many things to show his support for me as his successor, and I thank him, and caution him that I will be depending on his continued support throughout the year. Joel will be a hard act to follow especially on the social media front- I will need to drastically up my game! I also thank our new Executive Director Ben Mudd, the KPHA Board of Directors, Membership, staff, distinguished guests –including students! -- and our sponsors. I would also like to congratulate each of the new Board members. Our members have shown their confidence in you and me by electing us to our respective positions, and I look forward to serving with you. I wish to also thank colleagues who encouraged me and have continually provided counsel -- Thank you! I would like to thank my family – including four adult children scattered around the eastern part of the country tonight -- for their continued support throughout the years. My husband, Tom, is here this evening. I am so glad we could all be here together – in person! To be able to meet and network is something we once took for granted! Although there are some advantages to attending zoom meetings - such as a casual wardrobe -- I miss networking and meeting with others in person -- even if we have to dress up and put on lipstick! What a great evening! Although the last year has been full of challenges, there have been many positive things we should recognize. Communities have come together to help each other. Pharmacists and stakeholders in all areas of practice have risen to the occasion to promote health and wellness in our communities. As I look out at everyone this evening, I think of all the contributions each of you have made and I am grateful. As I asked myself what message to share this evening, I decided to focus on the mission of KPhA- to advocate and advance the pharmacy profession to improve the health of Kentuckians. I know you all share -- and are as passionate about -- this mission with me -- just ask my students! We have and continue - to make a profound impact on the health and wellbeing of Kentuckians by focusing on this mission. Advocacy can mean something different for each of us.

When asking students about the importance of advocacy, I generally ask them the following questions: “What role do you think you can play in the advancement of pharmacy practice?” “If you do not advocate for the profession of pharmacy, then who will?” “Who is going to act on your behalf?” “If someone is acting on your behalf, will they have the same vision as you? These are all questions we should be asking ourselves as we strive to improve the profession and mentor students and other pharmacists. Each of us has a responsibility to promote our profession, daily, in what we do and how we interact with our peers and patients. As members of KPhA we all understand the importance of this commitment, however, engaging others has and continues to be our biggest challenge as an organization. Though KPhA represents all areas of pharmacy, many of our colleagues do not feel that they belong here. We should work to change that. We have accomplished a lot this year, but we cannot attain future goals by only convincing each other of the importance of our work. We must reach out, to our colleagues, our patients, our legislators, and fellow healthcare providers. We must ensure that the laws, policies, infrastructure, and financial decisions take proper account of the value, benefits and role of pharmacists in the overall wellness of our communities. This is the role that KPhA plays through our ongoing efforts in Government Affairs. To address the challenges we face, pharmacists from all areas of the profession must join in solidarity and speak with one unified voice. If we recognize the challenges and achievements of all pharmacists -- regardless of practice site – we can stand together to advocate for our profession more effectively. Rather than remain in our individual silos of practice, our unique skills and knowledge can contribute to solving challenges and expanding our opportunities for our vital profession. Who can lead this change? We can, through KPhA. I like what William Zellmer with ASHP said, “We can lead the change that we believe in, or we can just position ourselves to be forced to accept the change being put on us by others. The choice is quite clear…We’re going to lead the change.” We must advocate for effective public policy that allows us to fully care for our patients and communities. We must work together to create sustainable pharmacy practice models that include proper reimbursement for services and promote pharmacists’ overall health and well-being in the workplace. I look forward to this next year and with the help and support of the Board members and KPhA membership, I will do my best to lead. I will close tonight with a request: Think about how YOU can best advocate for our profession. How you can form connections with pharmacists in other areas of practice, with other health care providers, and with our communities. Then turn that thought into action. Together, we can make this year truly fulfilling for the profession and our patients. Thank you!