Early in my career, when I was practicing in Alabama there was a bill before the state legislature related to pharmacy technicians. The state pharmacy association strongly supported the bill, yet one of the big hospitals in the state opposed the bill. I can distinctly remember visiting a legislator’s office to ask for support for the bill and the senator said, “Michael, why do you expect me to support something you can’t even get your profession to agree on?” It was a humbling moment.

One year ago, I had the honor of becoming APhA’s 15^th CEO and Executive Vice President. It’s been a tremendous year with challenges I did not anticipate and joys I never could have predicted.

As I write this week’s blog, I’m preparing for commencement addresses at two schools of pharmacy: Auburn University’s Harrison School of Pharmacy, and Howard University School of Pharmacy. Walking around college campuses this time of year reminds me of the hope of the future, and as I strolled around the Loveliest Village on the Plains it hit me that there is a stark contrast between this week and next month for these graduates.

As a part of APhA’s commitment to serve every pharmacist and all of pharmacy, we have advocated for issues impacting you and your practice in your state. I’d like to introduce you to Dr. Michael Murphy who serves as APhA’s advisor for state government affairs.

Let’s face it, there is not a single digital infrastructure in our society impervious to the focused, deliberate attacks of cyber criminals. Every day it seems we learn of another cyberattack bringing down a bank, a hospital, a university