About ABHP . . . . . .             

The Association of Black Health-System Pharmacists (ABHP) is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors elected by its membership.  The ABHP was first established in December 1978 in San Antonio, Texas as the Black Pharmacists of ASHP. A small group of black pharmacists conceived and developed the idea of facilitating communication between, providing a forum for, and pooling the resources of Black hospital pharmacists with the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists (ASHP). The ABHP was later incorporated under the District of Columbia law in March 1985. ABHP’s business affairs and services are administered and managed by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors publishes the ABHP’s principal place of business and other offices and place of business inside and outside the District of Columbia. Its membership includes primarily pharmacists, as well as, pharmacy students, residents, fellows and pharmacy technicians. It has no salaried staff or regional chapters at this time.

The ABHP strives to represents Black and minority health-system pharmacists and is dedicated to the growth and development of their pharmacy practice in health care facilities. The association provides up-to-date educational programs on minority health issues to help members improve their professional skills and the quality of care that they provide in their area of pharmacy practice.  The ABHP serves as a liaison and facilitates communication with other pharmaceutical associations, and organizations concerned with health care. 

The Tools You Can Use

When you join ABHP you can interact with and join forces with like-minded colleagues and various healthcare organizations throughout the nation in addressing issues associated with minority patient healthcare. Members also have the opportunity to participate in Executive and Business meetings, serve as speakers at regional symposiums, and help facilitate special interest programs at the ASHP Meetings. Membership in the ABHP serves as an important professional step for Black and minority pharmacists to improve their practice through a wide range of services offered.  These services include:

• Continuing Education Programs consist of regional and national symposium on various clinical, administrative, and minority health topics.  The American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) approves all the association’s programs for continuing education credits.  Members have the opportunity to attend all programs at a reduced fee, to participate in meeting planning, and to participate as a speaker at the programs.

• Newsletters provide timely in-depth descriptions of the association activities and important pharmacy issues. This includes free quarterly issues of the ABHP Newsletter.

• Association Social Activities allows you to participate in the Annual ABHP Reception and Luncheon held at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. 

ABHP and Leadership

In ABHP, members are given an opportunity to build leadership skills by serving as elected leaders, Board liaisons, and chairperson and as members on a number of councils and committees. You can develop your leadership skills by putting them to work on one of the following councils and committees:

• Council on Administrative Affairs is concerned with (a) administration and management of business and professional programs, (b) policies and procedures, and (c) public relations.

• Council on Educational Affairs is concerned with ABHP educational activities and administration of educational programs.

• Council   on Organizational Affairs is concerned with (a) review of the ABHP Constitution and Bylaws, (b) ABHP membership, and (c) affiliate relations.

• Council on Professional Affairs is concerned with (a) recognition of members’ achievements, (b) member communication services, (c) pharmacy practice standards; and (d) pharmacy practice research.

• Council on Student Affairs is concerned with assuring a strong student membership base.

• Pharmacy Technician Division is concerned with assuring a strong pharmacy technician membership base.

• Awards Committee is responsible for formulating and recommending criteria for the recognition of candidates for awards who have made significant contributions to the practice of pharmacy and the goals of the ABHP. 

• Budgeting and Finance Committee is concerned with managing financial matters of the Association.

• Fundraising Committee (aka Committee on Finance) plans and develops strategies for identifying and raising funds for the ABHP.

• Committee on Nominations is responsible for soliciting and screening nominations for ABHP offices and reporting to the Board of Directors, the name of candidates for elected offices.

• Constitution & Bylaws Committee is responsible for all matters associated with the ABHP Bylaws.

• Strategic Planning Committee is responsible for appraising future opportunities, existing and future strengths and weakness to help avoid identifiable problems and ensure the success of the ABHP.

Association Leadership and Orientation program also offer opportunities to learn and develop leadership and organizational skills. By participating in the leadership program, members are able to:

• Identify ways to create an effective association team
• Identify and describe the roles and responsibilities of association leadership teams
• Understand the roles of the Board of Directors (Board of Directors)
• Identify the roles and responsibilities of the association committees
• Gain insight into organizational dynamics
• Recognize and understand the impact of changes in technology, human resources, membership needs, legislation, regulations, and public relations.

Ready to Become a Member?

To find out how, go to our link on How to Become a Member page to join.