President’s Perspective

“WOW!” It is the one word that continues to escape my lips around every corner during this year as President. I know I seem to keep going down this road of saying this, but The Association is in a ton of areas within the practice, and there are a lot of things happening for us, against us, and by us. I am moved more to tears of happiness and feelings of professional warmth, realizing just how dynamic pharmacists and pharmacy technicians’ roles are in public health and overall patient wellbeing and care. Just a few quick updates: We are still amid a once in a lifetime (hopefully) pandemic. Pharmacists are ROCKING it all over the place, from our colleagues developing vaccines to those who help set policy on the roll-out and/or providing #ShotsInArms, and all the while still managing your daily jobs providing kickass patient outcomes. YOU ARE IT! The dedication you show cannot be appreciated enough! Organizationally, we have a ton of activities going through our committees. From JoAnne’s Public Health group producing our COVID-19 Toolkit to Clark’s Professional Affairs group staying abreast of pharmacy practice and further exploring the environment in which many of us practice and the staffing with which we surround ourselves. Also, Sam’s Organizational Affairs beginning the annual review of the Association’s Policy and Procedures to starting the development of the Board of Directors’ ballot. Finally, Trish’s Governmental Affairs group has begun weekly meetings as The Session kicks into full gear and with so much going on surrounding the Profession itself. Things never stop, so stay tuned to our email blast and social meeting posts. KPhA member Representative Danny Bentley has prefilled House Bill 48 that would require the recognition and ability of the pharmacist to bill and be paid for the services we provide within the usual practice of our profession. It is imperative you ask your local representative to support you and all of us on this bill. Their co-sponsorship will cement with you that they do support you and us. Go get them! We are still working on defending our right to be the official dispensers within health care The optometrist seem to think that your mastering of these abilities can be done with a few hours of education. Engage your local optometrists and tell them you are willing to help them care for patients jointly. Their purpose, in my opinion, will only lead to patient jeopardy and increase health care cost. Plans for the Annual meeting have begun and this year we will be back IN PERSON in the safest physically distanced way possible. June 3rd-6th we will meet at the Marriott downtown in Louisville. More information will be forthcoming but please get excited, feel safe knowing we are taking all precaustions, and know we can’t wait to see everyone again. The programing will again be broad and unique. Changing gears a little, I want to pose a question that often rumbles around in my head: If Pharmacy were a Superhero, which Superhero would we be? This question might sound a little crazy on the surface, but when you run as many miles as I do (as an

endurance runner) and try to ponder life’s professional and personal perspectives as much as me, then things and questions like this seem to present themselves front and center regularly. It might also help that I was a big comic book reader/collector as a kid and might still have some of the collection today. Over the past few weeks, I have pulled the old group of comics out to check on them, catalog them, and make sure they are well suited for storage. So, who have I identified as the Superhero that represents Pharmacy as a whole? Maybe Superman, the Man of Steel? His qualities speak for themselves. Not from this world, strongest of all the superheroes, but one simple rock of krptonite, and well, he is dead. Uggh! Iron-man?? The arrogant rich super intelligent man who created a suit powered by a device that was created to protect his life. Doubtful…I just can’t put the skills and practices we perform on a daily basis as being as self serving as Tony Stark. My personal favorite, The Green Lantern? A daredevil test pilot type of guy who is pure at heart. Loves the color green and has the coolest oath (just like ours). “In the brightest day, in the blackest night, No evil (illness) shall escape my sight Let those who worship evil’s might, Beware my power… Green Lantern’s (A Pharmacists’) light!” However, even though I can see us being Green Lantern, especially with that type of oath. I feel having our “powers” being generated by a ring just misses the point of what we all do. So, in my mind (and yes I have pondered this a few times) the profession of pharmacy and the work of pharmacists are more like THE HULK! Yes, The Incredible HULK! I mean, are we not genius scientists? Doesn’t green represent Pharmacy? Green brings with it the sense of hope, health, adventure, and renewal as well as self-control, compassion, and harmony. Do we not try to remain calm even in the face of chaos and stressful situations? Do we not step up and into a “monster” when it comes to protecting our patients and profession? I challenge you to find a better fit for the whole profession and would welcome your ideas of other Superheroes befitting the profession. However, admittedly, I will share that I tell myself to “Hulk-Up!” when times seem necessary for you all. I might not turn green on the outside but there are people who believe there is a monster inside when it comes to defending or supporting pharmacists and technicians. GRRRRR! In the end, I must do a few things to complete this article. First and foremost, tip my hat and bow my head to our President-elect, Cathy Hanna. She has really stepped up this year and immerse herself into the workings of The Association. She has been there attending meetings, providing input, invaluable research, and extraordinary perspective. I am excited to see what her year as leader of our association brings! Too many times, even though she has been covered up with life and professional things, she turns to me or sends me a note asking if there is anything she can do to help. This is the person she is…just wanted you to know. Now, with that all being said, I am saddened to report that her dear mother passed at the beginning of February. Julia Carolyn Bell Robertson passed peacefully surrounded by all of her children and her husband of 65 years, John. I know this hurts you as much as it does me because we are fortunate to have the fantastic Cathy helping us, and I’ve found the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Our hearts and prayers are with you and your family, Cathy. This Month’s article is dedicated to her! Peace and Blessings, my Friend! To all that celebrate Valentine’s Day, I raise a glass of champagne and open a big box of chocolate for you! May the day bring joy and happiness! My mother taught me life is better with LOVE in it and in your heart. So, know that all the beautiful things you are and do for the profession and your communities is a testament of your LOVE! I also want to wish my loving partner and wife of almost 28 years a Happy Valentine’s Day! YOU are the spark to life that allows me to do the crazy things I do. Without you as our ROCK, the girls and I would be lost. Sandy, I Love You! Finally, this Valentine’s Day marks the 5th anniversary of running my first FULL marathon. Not a day goes by that something in my life, whether a challenge, battle, success, or goal since that point has

not been affected by it. It opened a whole new world by reducing a barrier I never thought conquerable. It taught me that teamwork makes life sane. It taught me that “Never or Can’t” are only self-inflicted barriers and that if you want it…It can be done! It also showed me that patience and perseverance are two of the most remarkable traits in life and that we never master them, only learn to live with and by them. This patience and perserverence can even be applied to our current state with the pandemic still occurring. Remember we are just starting this marathon, and while it is not visible to us now, the end is still attainable! As I close this month’s article, please know we all understand that the battles of life, practicing pharmacy, and dealing with the pandemic are never easy. However, know that YOU ARE ROCKING THEM ALL! HULK-UP when you need that inner monster, or contain your inner monster when the calm, ultra intelligence needs to come out. Either way, be the best INCREDIBLE HEALTH CARE PROVIDER you can be! PS. As the word begins to hit that the government is beginning the release of the Federal vaccine storage, let’s take a moment to remember we are in this TOGETHER! Yes, rightfully so, there are pharmacists chomping at the bit to get vaccine to help their communities and Yes, there are pharmacists who have already been working and volunteering to vaccinate. Please keep in mind that we all are on the same team! Sooner than later we all will begin to get supply and help, equally. Until then, try to support where support is needed. This is an “all hands on deck” type of situation and success is garnered via unity not individuality. PPS. With this installation of my article, I want to welcome our new Executive Director, Dr. Ben Mudd, to the KPhA Family! Ben has been a member for years and recently was even our Speaker of the House of Delegates. Along with being a graduate of UK COP, Ben is an exciting and dynamic individual whose potential is boundless. He will bring great perspective to our organization and help move us forward. I am jazzed with his coming onboard and hope you will be too! As you get to know him better and see his work ethic, you will fully understand why I am so excited. Ben is the first executive director since the great Bob Barnett to lead our beloved organization; it will be a good change having one of our own at the wheel. Stay Safe and Healthy! Joel GO KPHA!!!! GO PHARMACISTS!!!! GO PHARAMCY TECHNICIANS!!! GO BEN!!!!