Emily Weyenberg, PharmD, is the 2025–2026 Board of Pharmacy Specialties fellow in Washington, DC.
At some point in pharmacy school, many of you may look at your professors’ name badges or email signatures and wonder: What are those letters after their name? How did they get them? And what exactly is board certification? I remember asking myself those questions.
Today, as the current Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) fellow, I have spent the past 8 months learning the answers.
Best of both worlds
BPS was established in 1976 as part of APhA. Its mission is to improve patient care and highlight the value of board‑certified pharmacists as key members of health care teams. As the BPS fellow, I have the opportunity to work closely with a certification organization, while also gaining hands‑on experience in association management at APhA. This fellowship truly offers the best of both worlds!
Within BPS, I work on the Professional Affairs, Communications, and Engagement team, where no 2 days look the same. A major part of my role involves supporting and promoting board‑certified pharmacists and the work they do for their patients and communities.
Through this fellowship, I have strengthened my scholarly writing and presentation skills through coordinating a monthly leadership blog, publishing a Letter to the Editor in JAPhA, providing various presentations, conducting a research project, and preparing a manuscript for publication.
Another meaningful component of my fellowship focuses on workforce development. I’ve participated in initiatives examining certification trends, labor market needs, and continuing professional development. Reviewing this data has given me insight into evolving priorities and challenges across practice settings and career stages. I also analyze how board certification appears in state and federal regulations, giving me a deeper understanding of how policy influences the recognition and utilization of pharmacists.
A well-rounded fellowship
Some of the most rewarding moments of my fellowship have come from engaging with student pharmacists, new practitioners, and board‑certified pharmacists across all specialties. Serving as the staff liaison for the BPS Student and New Practitioner Ad Hoc Committee has allowed me to further develop meeting facilitation skills and support their initiatives while learning from their perspectives.
I have also had the privilege of working closely with exceptional leaders within the BPS Board of Directors, BPS Specialty Councils, and the broader credentialing community. Exploring this vast world of certification has been eye‑opening and meaningful and has given me a deeper appreciation for the impact of credentialing on the profession.
Beyond BPS, rotational experiences across APhA have expanded my understanding of association management. Time with the APhA Foundation, Government Affairs, Professional Affairs, and Education teams has broadened my perspective on advocacy, leadership, and the many ways pharmacists shape health care.
Now I understand
What stands out most from this year is the constant energy and innovation within BPS. I’ve seen how board certification elevates pharmacists’ roles, strengthens the workforce, and improves patient care. This fellowship has helped me answer the questions I once had as a student pharmacist and gain a deeper appreciation for board certified pharmacists.
Now, when I see those letters after a pharmacist’s name, I understand the commitment and impact they reflect. I am truly grateful for the fantastic team and preceptors who have supported me throughout the past few months and are truly invested in seeing me succeed in my future.
Interested in joining the team? You can learn more about the APhA Executive Postgraduate Training Program at www.pharmacist.com/Career/Residencies/APhA-Executive-Post-Graduate-Training. Applications for the 2026–2027 BPS fellowship are currently being accepted.