APhA Executive Postgraduate Training Program
The APhA Executive Postgraduate Training Program consists of five executive fellowship positions. The program is
designed to challenge motivated individuals who have ambitions to contribute towards advancement of the
pharmacy profession. The executive fellows work on high impact projects, representing APhA's members and developing their leadership skills alongside many pharmacy leaders during their 1-year term with the association.
Postgraduate Training Programs: Executive Fellowship
The APhA Executive Postgraduate Training Program provides pharmacists with training and experience in foundational
association management at a national level to support APhA’s vision, mission, and reputation as the leading
professional organization representing pharmacists in all practice settings. Executive fellows contribute to APhA’s strategic priorities and operations through collaborations with staff teams across the organization, developing lifelong skills to advance the profession of pharmacy.
This rigorous experience provides the opportunity to meet, interact with, and learn from well-respected and highly
regarded professionals who are passionate about bold and transformational progress for the profession. Aspiring
pharmacy leaders are encouraged to apply if they are motivated to implement innovative ideas, have a will to inspire
change, and a desire to collaborate with members to advance the profession.
Positions within the program are 12-month paid opportunities that will take place at the historic APhA Headquarters
located on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
Departments
Executive Fellowship, APhA Foundation
The APhA Foundation is a nonprofit organization with the mission of improving health by inspiring philanthropy,
research, and innovation that advances pharmacists’ patient care services. The APhA Fellow is responsible for
training individuals for leadership positions within the profession, completing a Certificate in Association
Management through the American Society of Association Executives, interacting with senior staff, attending
board meetings, and collaborating with Foundation staff to oversee Incentive Grants, Scholarships, and Pinnacle
Awards.
Learn more
William Ellis Executive Fellowship, Board of Pharmacy Specialties
The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) learning experience provides a unique opportunity for residents to gain
insight into the purpose, impact, and value of certification. Residents will be exposed to high-priority issues
within the professional pharmacy landscape from the perspective of a certification agency, with a focus on
specialization and advanced practice in the U.S. and around the globe. While integrated as a collaborative
member on the Professional Affairs, Communications and Engagement (PACE) team, residents will engage internally
with the other BPS teams (e.g., operations and logistics; psychometrics, testing, and research; and quality
assurance) and externally with volunteer leaders, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders. Residents will
enhance knowledge and skills in communications and project management by engaging in topic discussions,
participating in meetings, and contributing to strategic goals and initiatives.
Learn more
Executive Fellowship, Education
The Education Department is responsible for providing informative continuing education and other educational
resources for a variety of pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians in all practice settings.
Fellows in this department are involved in the content development process from start to finish, including
concept development, communication with subject matter experts (SMEs), content creation and review, project
management, instructional design, learning management and technology integrations, and post-publication
marketing. Fellows will continuously interface with various SMEs in a variety of areas to help create materials
and training for all APhA members. Fellows will also gain cross-departmental exposure to business development,
business strategy, and leadership development.
Executive Fellowship, Professional Affairs & Government Affairs
The Professional Affairs & Government Affairs teams work closely together to
advocate for practices and policies that advance the pharmacy profession. The
Professional Affairs team collaborates with external interested parties and groups
to advance patient care service delivery, support coverage for pharmacists’ patient
care services, advance pharmacists’ impact on public health and health equity, and
address practice infrastructure needs. The Government Affairs team monitors and
engages in federal and state legislative and regulatory activities that impact
pharmacy, and educates pharmacists and student pharmacists on the importance
of grassroots advocacy. Fellows will spend time between both the Professional
Affairs and Government Affairs departments to advance the mission of the
association and promote the role of the pharmacists and pharmacy personnel in
health care.
Benefits
- Competitive stipend consistent with that of other pharmacy residencies and fellowships
- Social Security withholdings through payroll deductions
- Health and dental insurance (family coverage may be obtained)
- Group term life insurance and long-term disability insurance
- Ten days personal leave during the 1-year period
Qualifications
The APhA staff will select fellows based on the following qualifications:
- The applicant must be a graduate of an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited
college or school of pharmacy.
- The applicant must be recommended by present or former employers, preceptors, college faculty, or dean.
How to apply
The application process for the APhA Executive Postgraduate Training
Program is now closed. Please check back in October 2026 when recruitment
begins for the 2027–2028 cohort.
As part of the process, applicants will be asked to rank their preferred executive fellowship type. Also,
electronically submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae (CV) via the application form. At a minimum, the
following should be included in the applicant’s CV and/or cover letter:
- Contact information: Name, address, phone number, and email address
- Education and training: Institutions, locations, years attended, dates of graduation, type of training
or major subject, degrees, and certificates
- Professional and related experience: Institution or organization, location, dates, type of work, and
position title
- Organizational memberships (including positions held and activities): Professional, honorary, service,
and social
- Publications
- Honors or awards received
- Personal objectives: Brief description of future goals and aspirations, and why the APhA Executive
Postgraduate Training Program will be of value
The application also requires two letters of recommendation from any of the following: a present or former
employer, preceptor, college faculty, or dean, which must be submitted directly within the application
portal.
For more information and questions, please contact APhA’s Tom English at tenglish@aphanet.org.
Testimonials
2026-2027 APhA Executive Postgraduate Training Program Fellows share their experiences:
Katie McDuffie, Education Executive Fellow
The APhA Executive Fellowship has been an incredibly rewarding experience that has
significantly contributed to my professional growth. I have strengthened my project management
and time management skills while gaining valuable insight into the operations and strategic
priorities of a national pharmacy organization. The opportunity to work on a variety of initiatives
has enhanced my ability to manage competing priorities, collaborate with diverse partners, and
contribute meaningfully to projects that advance the profession. The fellowship has also
provided opportunities to build professional relationships and engage with pharmacy leaders.
Taylor Altidor, BPS William Ellis Executive Fellowship
My fellowship experience has allowed me to explore a side of pharmacy that I had very little
exposure to before beginning the program. Through association management, I’ve gained a
better understanding of how pharmacists can influence the profession beyond traditional practice
settings, while gaining exposure to areas such as board certification, research, policy, and
professional affairs. I’ve especially appreciated having the opportunity to explore my own
interests, contribute my perspective, and learn from professionals across different areas of the
organization.
Ava Jalshgari, Education Executive Fellow
The program has provided an exceptional opportunity to grow as a pharmacist leader while
gaining firsthand experience in the strategic and operational aspects of association management
and professional advocacy. I have developed skills in cross-functional collaboration, professional
engagement, and educational program development while working alongside experienced leaders
dedicated to advancing the profession. I’ve been challenged to think beyond traditional practice
settings and broadened my understanding of how pharmacists can drive innovation and improve
patient care at a national level.
Trevor Shaw, APhA Foundation Executive Fellow
As the APhA Foundation Executive Fellow, I have grown tremendously in my professional
development and leadership skills. From day one, I felt supported and valued as an integral
member of the team, contributing to meaningful projects that advance the foundation’s
philanthropic, research, and innovative efforts to improve health. Whether recognizing work that
expands pharmacists’ care services or promoting grant and scholarship opportunities, I truly feel
that I am giving back to my profession while continuously being inspired by our members and
their impact.
Gregory Hare, Professional Affairs Executive Fellow
My time as an APhA Executive Fellow has been one of the most rewarding and influential
experiences of my career. The fellowship expanded my understanding of leadership, advocacy,
strategic planning, and the complexities of advancing the pharmacy profession on a national
scale. Through executive collaboration and cross-functional initiatives, I contributed to impactful
projects, including supporting House of Delegates policy development, leading professional
education on peptide compounding, and sharing my experiences as an Army pharmacist with
students and early career practitioners. These opportunities have strengthened my skills,
broadened my perspective, and reinforced the importance of servant leadership.