Association Perspective
Michael D. Hogue, PharmD, FAPhA, FNAP, FFIP, Executive vice president and CEO of APhA
I’m a graduate of Samford University’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy. Having worked at Samford as a clinician and faculty member for over 15 years, the school is an important part of my life even though I’ve been away for a number of years.
In the past several weeks, tragedy has struck the Samford family. Two graduates (classes of 2022 and 2023) lost their lives in separate incidents. Then just days later a former faculty member beloved by all of her students passed away unexpectedly in her early 50s. These lives lost at such an early age have really caused me to reflect once again on what is important in life.
We are in some very contentious times. Our country seems so divided on every issue. I’m writing this just 2 days before the presidential election. I have no idea what the outcome will be, yet I know there will be hand-wringing and anger regardless of the outcome. And pharmacy will again be faced with rebuilding political relationships in Washington to move forward the profession’s priorities—ensuring every consumer has access to the care services of a pharmacist wherever and whenever they interact with the health care system.
Relationships matter. In fact, they are the only thing that matters. Pilar Murphy worked with me at Samford when I was department chair. When I interviewed her, she was torn between taking a job at Samford at our Perry County, AL, rural health site where she was about to complete residency training or returning to her native Arkansas to be closer to her mother.
Pilar said to me, “Michael, I guess I just need to pray about this decision.” In a moment that could only happen at Samford, Pilar and I prayed together. I don’t remember the words, but I do remember that I wanted the very best for her future. And Pilar knew that. Faith was important to Pilar. She would never force her faith on anyone, yet she wasn’t afraid to be herself either. That experience with Pilar strengthened my perspective.
I realized that when we really listen to others and think about and support their needs first, a relationship can be formed that allows the individuals involved to grow and achieve great things.
As I’ve read the tributes to Pilar online, I’m struck by the awesome impact she made on hundreds of lives in Perry County, at Samford, and in her most recent position at the University of Arkansas.
Lauren Holbrook and Robyn Best left similar legacies even though their careers were just getting started. These pharmacists deeply cared about their families, their communities, and their profession—and again, it’s clear from online tributes that they intentionally built relationships with others. Robyn’s and Pilar’s precious young children will be impacted by this legacy as well.
We have to take time to build relationships with people along life’s journey. Whether it is on Capitol Hill, the statehouse in your state, in your workplace, or in your local community, the only thing that really leads to satisfaction in life, achieves work–life balance, and keeps us full of hope are those relationships. It doesn’t mean there won’t be tough moments and difficulties. It simply means that with positive relationships intentionally built, there is a support system to get through those difficulties to move toward a hopeful future.
As we look forward to 2025, I’d like to challenge all of us to take more time to build real relationships this year. Get to know people at a deeper level. Find out how you can work together to accomplish shared goals and objectives to move forward life’s priorities.
Don’t take for granted the people around you. With real, healthy relationships, problem-solving can happen. With true relationships, dreams can be achieved. Let’s remember the legacies of Pilar Murphy, Robyn Best, and Lauren Holbrook and do our best to live by their examples of building relationships that matter.
For every pharmacist. For all of pharmacy. ■