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The APhA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee

The APhA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee

To address the issues of systemic racism, discrimination, injustice, and marginalization of individuals within the profession and communities that APhA members serve, APhA’s Board of Trustees has launched a new board-appointed, member-facing committee. The APhA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee will continue the work of the Task Force on Structural Racism (formed in 2020).

For this committee to succeed, we need your voice. Please consider joining.

Those interested in participating must be APhA members in good standing. Documentation of interest in DEIB and/or antiracism initiatives through training, education, publication, or community advocacy is also strongly encouraged. Furthermore, those interested should be representative of diverse communities, marginalized groups, or allies for the work on issues to be addressed by the committee.

Interested parties must submit an application that includes a personal statement describing their experience and commitment to the issues of DEIB, antiracism, health equity, and/or other issues the committee will address.

The committee will be meeting quarterly with subcommittee meetings held on an as-needed basis to conduct the work at hand. Please note that we recognize the busy lives of members who balance a full workload with other responsibilities, so please volunteer only if you have the time to dedicate to this critical issue.

Subcommittees will be structured around identified focus areas and consider perspectives from the organization, pharmacy profession, and within health care. The sphere of influence will be based on listening sessions and other community inputs.

DEIB Full Committee Roster

Natasha Jackson, PharmD

Natasha Jackson, PharmD


Chair
Director, Training and Education
Enclara Pharmacia

Michael A. Mone, BSPharm, JD, FAPhA

Michael A. Mone, BSPharm, JD, FAPhA


Vice-Chair
Michael A. Mone & Associates

Jay Holloway, PharmD, AAHIVP

Jay Holloway, PharmD, AAHIVP


At-Large Member

Jay Holloway (they/them, he/him) is a pharmacist with AIDS Healthcare Foundation. They are also an advocate and educator on pharmacy issues affecting LGBTQ+ people, with a specialty in transgender and gender diverse populations. He has written a continuing education article for APhA’s Pharmacy Today magazine, as well as HIV Specialist on providing an affirming practice environment for transgender patients and gender-affirming care. In addition to guest lecturing at pharmacy schools, they advocate as a member of RxSHARE and CPhA’s LGBTQ+ Task Force.

Sarah Zeidat, PharmD

Sarah Zeidat, PharmD


At-Large Member

Sarah Zeidat completed her Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Residency at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center in July 2024 and is excited to stay on as an Oncology Pharmacist at UCSF. Sarah is passionate about public health and healthcare empowerment in underrepresented communities. She formulated and passed a resolution at the 2020 National SNPhA Convention to bring Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) health to the forefront of SNPhA’s mission. She also spearheaded a study assessing COVID-19 infection and vaccination rates in the MENA community of Houston, Texas. As a resident, Sarah led the efforts of the Residency Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council. She is also a member of the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) DEI Advisory Group and is excited about merging her passion for community and healthcare.

Natasha Jackson, PharmD


Michael A. Mone, BSPharm, JD, FAPhA


Jay Holloway, PharmD, AAHIVP


Jay Holloway (they/them, he/him) is a pharmacist with AIDS Healthcare Foundation. They are also an advocate and educator on pharmacy issues affecting LGBTQ+ people, with a specialty in transgender and gender diverse populations. He has written a continuing education article for APhA’s Pharmacy Today magazine, as well as HIV Specialist on providing an affirming practice environment for transgender patients and gender-affirming care. In addition to guest lecturing at pharmacy schools, they advocate as a member of RxSHARE and CPhA’s LGBTQ+ Task Force.

Sarah Zeidat, PharmD


Sarah Zeidat completed her Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Residency at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center in July 2024 and is excited to stay on as an Oncology Pharmacist at UCSF. Sarah is passionate about public health and healthcare empowerment in underrepresented communities. She formulated and passed a resolution at the 2020 National SNPhA Convention to bring Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) health to the forefront of SNPhA’s mission. She also spearheaded a study assessing COVID-19 infection and vaccination rates in the MENA community of Houston, Texas. As a resident, Sarah led the efforts of the Residency Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council. She is also a member of the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) DEI Advisory Group and is excited about merging her passion for community and healthcare.

Beatriz Manzor Mitrzyk, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP

Beatriz Manzor Mitrzyk, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP


At-Large Member

Beatriz Manzor Mitrzyk is Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy. She conducts qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research with communities of Latine adults with chronic disease in Michigan. Using a community based participatory research approach, we collaboratively identify and work together to address the communities’ priorities around medication related problems. Dr. Manzor Mitrzyk is also a clinical pharmacist at the Community Health and Social Services Center of Detroit, MI and provides collaborative drug therapy management for a majority Latine and Spanish speaking patient population.

Sabahat Syed, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP

Sabahat Syed, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP


At-Large Member

Saba Syed, PharmD, MS, EMBA, BCACP, BCGP, is Vice President of Pharmacy at Aledade, where she is accountable for all aspects of Pharmacy performance and strategy. She is a skilled clinician and lifelong learner with a track record of execution at the intersection of healthcare services, value-based care business operations, technology, and data analytics. Saba has over 16 years of experience in various pharmacy settings, including community pharmacy, mail-order pharmacy, managed care, primary care, population health, and value-based care operations. She is committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace and reducing health disparities in the community.

LaNisha Potts

LaNisha Potts


APhA-ASP Representative

LaNisha Potts is a 4th year Pharmacy student at Howard University College of Pharmacy. She is originally from Jacksonville, FL and received her BS in Biochemistry from Florida State University. After graduation, she went on to complete a degree in Physician Assistant from Howard University, however her heart’s desire was to become a pharmacist. She became a pharmacy technician at Walgreens then she transitioned to the DC Veteran Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). Being around her work colleagues, she realized she still wanted to become a pharmacist, however she was now a wife and mother of 3, and still working as a full time Narcotics and Controlled Substance technician. She decided to trust in God and put her application in to see how far she could go. She was accepted to every school she applied to and decided to continue her professional degree at Howard. LaNisha became the secretary of her P1 class as well as the P1 Liaison for the American Pharmacist Association American Student Pharmacist (APhA – ASP) organization. She was also awarded the P1 Student of the Year nominated and voted on by her peers. Over the years she was elected as the President- Elect of APhA – ASP and then the President, as well as the treasurer of the Delta Kappa Chapter of Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity Inc and the Beta Kappa Chapter of Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society. She is currently the President of her class and completing the Clinical Track at DC VAMC for her APPE rotations. She is honored to be apart of such a prestigious committee and she couldn’t have done it without God. She is committed to continued growth as a student, as a classmate and as a future health care professional.

Cory Holland, PharmD, MBAHM

Cory Holland, PharmD, MBAHM


APhA-APPM Representative

Beatriz Manzor Mitrzyk, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP


Beatriz Manzor Mitrzyk is Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy. She conducts qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research with communities of Latine adults with chronic disease in Michigan. Using a community based participatory research approach, we collaboratively identify and work together to address the communities’ priorities around medication related problems. Dr. Manzor Mitrzyk is also a clinical pharmacist at the Community Health and Social Services Center of Detroit, MI and provides collaborative drug therapy management for a majority Latine and Spanish speaking patient population.

Sabahat Syed, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP


Saba Syed, PharmD, MS, EMBA, BCACP, BCGP, is Vice President of Pharmacy at Aledade, where she is accountable for all aspects of Pharmacy performance and strategy. She is a skilled clinician and lifelong learner with a track record of execution at the intersection of healthcare services, value-based care business operations, technology, and data analytics. Saba has over 16 years of experience in various pharmacy settings, including community pharmacy, mail-order pharmacy, managed care, primary care, population health, and value-based care operations. She is committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace and reducing health disparities in the community.

LaNisha Potts


LaNisha Potts is a 4th year Pharmacy student at Howard University College of Pharmacy. She is originally from Jacksonville, FL and received her BS in Biochemistry from Florida State University. After graduation, she went on to complete a degree in Physician Assistant from Howard University, however her heart’s desire was to become a pharmacist. She became a pharmacy technician at Walgreens then she transitioned to the DC Veteran Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). Being around her work colleagues, she realized she still wanted to become a pharmacist, however she was now a wife and mother of 3, and still working as a full time Narcotics and Controlled Substance technician. She decided to trust in God and put her application in to see how far she could go. She was accepted to every school she applied to and decided to continue her professional degree at Howard. LaNisha became the secretary of her P1 class as well as the P1 Liaison for the American Pharmacist Association American Student Pharmacist (APhA – ASP) organization. She was also awarded the P1 Student of the Year nominated and voted on by her peers. Over the years she was elected as the President- Elect of APhA – ASP and then the President, as well as the treasurer of the Delta Kappa Chapter of Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity Inc and the Beta Kappa Chapter of Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society. She is currently the President of her class and completing the Clinical Track at DC VAMC for her APPE rotations. She is honored to be apart of such a prestigious committee and she couldn’t have done it without God. She is committed to continued growth as a student, as a classmate and as a future health care professional.

Cory Holland, PharmD, MBAHM


Lourdes G. Planas, RPh, PhD, FAPhA

Lourdes G. Planas, RPh, PhD, FAPhA


APhA-APRS Representative

Lourdes Planas is Associate Professor of Clinical and Administrative Sciences at The University of Oklahoma (OU) College of Pharmacy. She earned a B.S. in Pharmacy from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Ph.D. in Pharmacy Health Care Administration from The University of Florida.

Dr. Planas has taught numerous courses covering communications, sociobehavioral aspects of medication use, quality improvement, pharmacy management, biostatistics, and drug literature evaluation. She employs qualitative and quantitative research methods to evaluate medication optimization interventions in community pharmacy and primary care practice settings, particularly for patients with hypertension, diabetes, and non-cancer chronic pain.

Dr. Planas actively engages with underserved communities, particularly the Latinx population, to promote health literacy and patient engagement in critical areas such as cardiovascular health, diabetes management, cancer screenings, and vaccinations. Her involvement as co-advisor to the OU College of Pharmacy chapter of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) and membership in the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center Latino Community Advisory Board exemplify her commitment to community health initiatives.

Dr. Planas has also demonstrated leadership in various professional organizations, including her role as co-chair of a gender equity task force sponsored by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). She has held positions such as Secretary and Chair of the AACP Social and Administrative Sciences Section, and currently serves as Secretary of the AACP Council of Sections. Her contributions to the field have earned her recognition, including being a two-time recipient of the APhA Clinical Research Paper Award, and she holds the distinction of being a Fellow of both APhA and the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education.

Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Planas finds joy in her personal life as a devoted wife of 31 years to her pharmacist husband, and as the proud parent of a daughter, a son, and a lively Australian Shepherd.

Michelle Cottino, PharmD, BCACP

Michelle Cottino, PharmD, BCACP


New Practitioner Representative

Michelle Cottino, JD, PharmD, BCACP is an ambulatory care clinical pharmacist at Summit Health in New Jersey. She completed her PGY-1 pharmacy practice and PGY-2 ambulatory care residencies at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center where she had the privilege to work with vulnerable and medically underserved populations. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, cooking/baking, and traveling.

Sidrah Alam, PharmD

Sidrah Alam, PharmD


APhA HOD Representative

Valerie Prince, PharmD, BCPS, FAPhA

Valerie Prince, PharmD, BCPS, FAPhA


APhA Past-President

Valerie Prince, PharmD, FAPhA, BCPS, is clinical pharmacy specialist on the interdisciplinary acute care team of St. Vincent’s Family Medicine Residency Program at Christ Health Center where she also serves as adjunct faculty. She is a professor of pharmacy practice at Samford University. Prince graduated from Mercer University and completed a residency at Regional Medical Center at Memphis. She has enjoyed practicing in acute care, ambulatory, independent, chain, and long-term care pharmacies. Prince has served APhA as APhA–Academy of Pharmacy Practice and Management President, Speaker of the House of Delegates, and APhA Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA–ASP) national officer. She is currently the APhA President-Elect Designate. She received the Alabama Pharmacy Association (APA) Wayne Staggs Distinguished Service Award for her extensive state level involvement that included service as APA Research and Education Foundation (APAREF) President. Recently she was awarded the APA Faculty Member of the Year. She is a past national president of Phi Lambda Sigma leadership society and was recognized as National Chapter Advisor of the Year. She is a recipient of the Linwood F. Tice Friend of APhA–ASP Award and the APhA–APPM Distinguished Achievement in Clinical Practice Award. She has a long record of community service and mentoring including years as a Girl Scout Leader. She currently serves on the Governor’s Task Force on Opioids. Prince lives in Odenville Alabama with her husband Chip, family cats and dogs, and foster dogs. They have two beautiful daughters, Carlee and MattiLynn and they attend Church of the Highlands.

Lourdes G. Planas, RPh, PhD, FAPhA


Lourdes Planas is Associate Professor of Clinical and Administrative Sciences at The University of Oklahoma (OU) College of Pharmacy. She earned a B.S. in Pharmacy from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Ph.D. in Pharmacy Health Care Administration from The University of Florida.

Dr. Planas has taught numerous courses covering communications, sociobehavioral aspects of medication use, quality improvement, pharmacy management, biostatistics, and drug literature evaluation. She employs qualitative and quantitative research methods to evaluate medication optimization interventions in community pharmacy and primary care practice settings, particularly for patients with hypertension, diabetes, and non-cancer chronic pain.

Dr. Planas actively engages with underserved communities, particularly the Latinx population, to promote health literacy and patient engagement in critical areas such as cardiovascular health, diabetes management, cancer screenings, and vaccinations. Her involvement as co-advisor to the OU College of Pharmacy chapter of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) and membership in the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center Latino Community Advisory Board exemplify her commitment to community health initiatives.

Dr. Planas has also demonstrated leadership in various professional organizations, including her role as co-chair of a gender equity task force sponsored by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). She has held positions such as Secretary and Chair of the AACP Social and Administrative Sciences Section, and currently serves as Secretary of the AACP Council of Sections. Her contributions to the field have earned her recognition, including being a two-time recipient of the APhA Clinical Research Paper Award, and she holds the distinction of being a Fellow of both APhA and the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education.

Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Planas finds joy in her personal life as a devoted wife of 31 years to her pharmacist husband, and as the proud parent of a daughter, a son, and a lively Australian Shepherd.

Michelle Cottino, PharmD, BCACP


Michelle Cottino, JD, PharmD, BCACP is an ambulatory care clinical pharmacist at Summit Health in New Jersey. She completed her PGY-1 pharmacy practice and PGY-2 ambulatory care residencies at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center where she had the privilege to work with vulnerable and medically underserved populations. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, cooking/baking, and traveling.

Sidrah Alam, PharmD


Valerie Prince, PharmD, BCPS, FAPhA


Valerie Prince, PharmD, FAPhA, BCPS, is clinical pharmacy specialist on the interdisciplinary acute care team of St. Vincent’s Family Medicine Residency Program at Christ Health Center where she also serves as adjunct faculty. She is a professor of pharmacy practice at Samford University. Prince graduated from Mercer University and completed a residency at Regional Medical Center at Memphis. She has enjoyed practicing in acute care, ambulatory, independent, chain, and long-term care pharmacies. Prince has served APhA as APhA–Academy of Pharmacy Practice and Management President, Speaker of the House of Delegates, and APhA Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA–ASP) national officer. She is currently the APhA President-Elect Designate. She received the Alabama Pharmacy Association (APA) Wayne Staggs Distinguished Service Award for her extensive state level involvement that included service as APA Research and Education Foundation (APAREF) President. Recently she was awarded the APA Faculty Member of the Year. She is a past national president of Phi Lambda Sigma leadership society and was recognized as National Chapter Advisor of the Year. She is a recipient of the Linwood F. Tice Friend of APhA–ASP Award and the APhA–APPM Distinguished Achievement in Clinical Practice Award. She has a long record of community service and mentoring including years as a Girl Scout Leader. She currently serves on the Governor’s Task Force on Opioids. Prince lives in Odenville Alabama with her husband Chip, family cats and dogs, and foster dogs. They have two beautiful daughters, Carlee and MattiLynn and they attend Church of the Highlands.

Frank North, PharmD, MPA, DPLA, DASPL

Frank North, PharmD, MPA, DPLA, DASPL


Frank North, Pharm.D., M.P.A., R.Ph. is an Instructional Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy and Director for Interprofessional Learning in Practice for the Texas A&M University Health Office of Interprofessional Practice, Education, and Research. He is licensed in Texas and Washington, DC and serves as National President of the National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA).

Dr. North earned the Doctor of Pharmacy, Master of Public Administration, and Bachelor of Science in Biology from Texas Southern University (TSU) in Houston, Texas, and completed several certificate, leadership, and diplomate programs focused on pharmacy, higher education, and civic engagement. He is a life member of NPhA, Phi Delta Chi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and is a general member of a host of professional and community-based organizations.

Dr. North is currently completing the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Urban Higher Education at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi. His mission and purpose are to achieve and maintain just and equitable representation among underrepresented minoritized groups with emphasis on African Americans/Blacks and Black men. He is a 4th generation Houston, graduate of Houston’s first high school to education Black students, Booker T. Washington, a recipient of the TAMU IPER Teaching Excellence Award, TPA Distinguished Service Award, Houston’s Business Journal’s 2022 40 under 40 Award, and Texas Black Expo’s 2023 Outstanding Educator – Assistant Professor level.

Vibhuti Arya, PharmD, MPH

Vibhuti Arya, PharmD, MPH


APhA Board of Trustees Representative

Vibhuti Arya is a Professor at St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and Clinical Advisor to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. She works to integrate pharmacists into public health initiatives, particularly among high-risk, medically underserved areas in NYC, and advises on legislation pertinent to pharmacy practice and access to care. To date, she has been engaged with several efforts including public heath detailing, expanding naloxone access through community pharmacies, syndromic surveillance, and emergency preparedness. Through her teaching, Dr. Arya engages her students to examine public health programs and policies through the lens of equity, applying social justice principles and frameworks to help reduce inequities in care. She is also a member of the Health Department’s Institutional Review Board and serves as a Global Lead for the Equity and Equality Workforce Development Goal for FIP. Dr. Arya completed the Pharmaceutical Care Leadership Residency at the University of Minnesota, and her MPH from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Rafael Saenz, PharmD, MS, FASHP

Rafael Saenz, PharmD, MS, FASHP


APhA Senior Staff Representative

Rafael Saenz received his PharmD from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, and his Master of Science in Pharmacy Administration from the University of Wisconsin, while concurrently completing the Pharmacy Administration Residency Program at the University of Wisconsin Hospital.

Between 2011 and 2019, Rafael served as the Chief Pharmacy Officer at the University of Virginia (UVA) where he oversaw the pharmacy enterprise for the health system. In this role, Rafael led an expert team that successfully deployed clinical pharmacist services throughout the system, implemented LEAN medication distribution workflows, oversaw a $250M drug expense budget, increased the department’s revenue to attribute to over 45% of all medical center net revenues, and created several new business lines for UVA including a full service specialty pharmacy. Further, Rafael led the expansion of pharmacy residency programs at UVA, tripling the availability of positions during his tenure.

Prior to UVA, Rafael served as Pharmacy Operations Manager for UPMC in Pittsburgh. In this role, he had oversight for clinical unit-based pharmacy services and retail operations, before switching his focus to the pharmacy practice sites within UPMC’s international ventures in Palermo, Italy and Dublin, Ireland. Rafael has deployed clinical services, information technology systems, created supply chains, met regulatory and accreditation requirements, implemented best practices in medication use safety, and launched new pharmacy business initiatives domestically and internationally.

Rafael has served the profession through active membership in state and national pharmacy organizations. He has served on workforce and education committees with various organizations aimed at increasing the pharmacist and technician scope of practice. In 2015, Rafael was appointed to the Virginia Board of Pharmacy and served as Chair of the Board from 2018-2019.

Frank North, PharmD, MPA, DPLA, DASPL


Frank North, Pharm.D., M.P.A., R.Ph. is an Instructional Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy and Director for Interprofessional Learning in Practice for the Texas A&M University Health Office of Interprofessional Practice, Education, and Research. He is licensed in Texas and Washington, DC and serves as National President of the National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA).

Dr. North earned the Doctor of Pharmacy, Master of Public Administration, and Bachelor of Science in Biology from Texas Southern University (TSU) in Houston, Texas, and completed several certificate, leadership, and diplomate programs focused on pharmacy, higher education, and civic engagement. He is a life member of NPhA, Phi Delta Chi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and is a general member of a host of professional and community-based organizations.

Dr. North is currently completing the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Urban Higher Education at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi. His mission and purpose are to achieve and maintain just and equitable representation among underrepresented minoritized groups with emphasis on African Americans/Blacks and Black men. He is a 4th generation Houston, graduate of Houston’s first high school to education Black students, Booker T. Washington, a recipient of the TAMU IPER Teaching Excellence Award, TPA Distinguished Service Award, Houston’s Business Journal’s 2022 40 under 40 Award, and Texas Black Expo’s 2023 Outstanding Educator – Assistant Professor level.

Vibhuti Arya, PharmD, MPH


Vibhuti Arya is a Professor at St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and Clinical Advisor to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. She works to integrate pharmacists into public health initiatives, particularly among high-risk, medically underserved areas in NYC, and advises on legislation pertinent to pharmacy practice and access to care. To date, she has been engaged with several efforts including public heath detailing, expanding naloxone access through community pharmacies, syndromic surveillance, and emergency preparedness. Through her teaching, Dr. Arya engages her students to examine public health programs and policies through the lens of equity, applying social justice principles and frameworks to help reduce inequities in care. She is also a member of the Health Department’s Institutional Review Board and serves as a Global Lead for the Equity and Equality Workforce Development Goal for FIP. Dr. Arya completed the Pharmaceutical Care Leadership Residency at the University of Minnesota, and her MPH from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Rafael Saenz, PharmD, MS, FASHP


Rafael Saenz received his PharmD from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, and his Master of Science in Pharmacy Administration from the University of Wisconsin, while concurrently completing the Pharmacy Administration Residency Program at the University of Wisconsin Hospital.

Between 2011 and 2019, Rafael served as the Chief Pharmacy Officer at the University of Virginia (UVA) where he oversaw the pharmacy enterprise for the health system. In this role, Rafael led an expert team that successfully deployed clinical pharmacist services throughout the system, implemented LEAN medication distribution workflows, oversaw a $250M drug expense budget, increased the department’s revenue to attribute to over 45% of all medical center net revenues, and created several new business lines for UVA including a full service specialty pharmacy. Further, Rafael led the expansion of pharmacy residency programs at UVA, tripling the availability of positions during his tenure.

Prior to UVA, Rafael served as Pharmacy Operations Manager for UPMC in Pittsburgh. In this role, he had oversight for clinical unit-based pharmacy services and retail operations, before switching his focus to the pharmacy practice sites within UPMC’s international ventures in Palermo, Italy and Dublin, Ireland. Rafael has deployed clinical services, information technology systems, created supply chains, met regulatory and accreditation requirements, implemented best practices in medication use safety, and launched new pharmacy business initiatives domestically and internationally.

Rafael has served the profession through active membership in state and national pharmacy organizations. He has served on workforce and education committees with various organizations aimed at increasing the pharmacist and technician scope of practice. In 2015, Rafael was appointed to the Virginia Board of Pharmacy and served as Chair of the Board from 2018-2019.

DEIB Committee Charter

Approved by APhA Board of Trustees November 2021

Vision


To position APhA as an inclusive organization in which all voices are heard, respected and invited to help transform pharmacy within the profession and communities we serve.

Mission


 To approach the issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging with empathy and urgency so that members and those across the profession of pharmacy are acutely aware of APhA’s unwavering commitment to ensure that all voices are heard, respected, and invited to help transform pharmacy within the profession and communities we serve.

Charges:


  • This Committee is not a board committee. Members are appointed by the Board and ultimate approval of their activities rests with the Board on an annual cycle and is advisory to the Board of Trustees.
  • The Committee will collaborate on priorities and provide guidance to APhA Board and Staff on strategies to:
    • address systemic racism, discrimination, injustice, and marginalization of individuals within the profession and communities that APhA members serve
    • help increase membership engagement as it relates to DEIB initiatives
  • Through listening sessions, provision of tools and resources (educational and mental health) as well as dissemination of data-informed findings, empower and support members throughout the lifecycle of the Pharmacy Profession to address DEIB issues.
  • The Committee will provide and receive ongoing guidance and feedback to/from the APhA Board and Staff to support the work of the Board and Staff in implementing commitment to instilling diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging into the fabric of the organization and pharmacy profession.
  • The Committee will collaborate and provide guidance to APhA Board and Staff so that there is proactive recognition and celebration of members’ diversity, distinct experiences, and the various community groups they serve as healthcare providers.
  • The Committee shall provide and present an Annual Update to the APhA Board of Trustees on activities of the Association and environmental scans.

Meetings: 


The Committee will meet quarterly (or some other frequency) with subcommittee meetings (monthly or every other month or some other determined frequency) to conduct the work at hand.

Subcommittees would be structured around identified Focus Areas and consider perspectives from the organization, pharmacy profession, and within healthcare. The sphere of influence will be based on listening sessions and other community inputs. Initially, these areas of interest shall include

  1. Systemic/structural racism impacting marginalized Groups such as people of color, LGBTQI+ etc.
  2. Gender equity

Committee Membership:


The members may change in number and composition to support the needs of the Committee and its associated activities.

Committee Structure and Membership Criteria:


Potential criteria to use in selection of Committee members

  • Required:  APhA Member in good standing
  • Other potential criteria
    • Documentation of interest in DEIB and/or Anti-Racism initiatives through training, education, publication, or community advocacy
    • Representative of diverse communities, marginalized groups, or allies for the work on issues to be addressed by the Committee
    • Submission of personal statement describing their experience and commitment to the issues of DEIB, Anti-Racism, Health Equity, or other issues the Committee will address
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