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About the American Pharmacists Association (APhA)

The American Pharmacists Association, founded in 1852 as the American Pharmaceutical Association, represents more than 62,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and others interested in advancing the profession. APhA, dedicated to helping all pharmacists improve medication use and advance patient care, is the first-established and largest association of pharmacists in the United States. APhA members provide care in all practice settings, including community pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, managed care organizations, hospice settings, and the military.


American Pharmacists Association

 

 

Meet Brad Sherwood

Brad Sherwood is best known as a member of the ensemble cast of the Emmy-nominated hit TV show, “Whose Line is it Anyway?” Following a successful solo tour, Brad joined up with fellow “Whose Line is it Anyway?” cast member Colin Mochrie to launch a nationwide improvisational comedy tour titled, “An Evening with Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood.”

Brad was a regular on the British version of “Whose Line is it Anyway?” 1 on Comedy Central, and has appeared on the “Drew Carey Show” 1, “The Green Screen Show”, 1 VH1’s “I Love the Millenium” 2 series and over 100 sketches on the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” 3 Other past credits include a season on “LA Law” 4, “To Tell the Truth” 4, “The Newz” 5, guest hosting “Talk Soup” 5 and hosting “The New Dating Game.*” 1

Brad was born in Chicago, Illinois and later grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He began acting at the age of eight and graduated from Wright State University with a BFA in acting.

Currently, Brad continues to sell out shows on his tour of North America with Colin in their very successful and critically acclaimed two-man improv show.

Brad Sherwood’s Take on “Behind-the-Counter Encounters”

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) sat down with comedian Brad Sherwood to talk about Behind-the-Counter Encounters, a new educational program he helped launch with the APhA which is sponsored by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, the makers of TYLENOL® COLD, SUDAFED® and ZYRTEC-D®.

Q. Why did you become involved in the Behind-the-Counter Encounters Campaign?

A. October is American Pharmacists Month, so when the APhA approached me to create a fun and exciting way to celebrate all the dedicated pharmacists across the country, I was happy to partner with them. Behind-the-Counter Encounters is a campaign designed to highlight the role of the pharmacist. Not only does this give me an opportunity to learn more about pharmacists, but I get to pass along what I learned while having a great time. As an improv actor, my role is constantly evolving, so I always need to respond quickly and be prepared for anything. After spending time with actual pharmacists, I got to see what they do everyday. Their jobs are changing and expanding all the time. Like most people, I had no idea about all the responsibilities pharmacists have behind-the-counter, and I think it’s great to recognize their work.

Q. How is the role of the pharmacist changing?

A. I learned that pharmacists are an extremely valuable resource and they wear different hats throughout the course of the day. In addition to speaking with physicians and insurance companies, conducting inventory and a variety of other responsibilities, pharmacists are tasked with helping customers who have questions about how to access ‘BTC’ products as some cold, sinus, and allergy medicines that used to be found on store shelves have moved behind the pharmacy or service counter.

Q. So what kind of “encounters” occur in Behind-the-Counter Encounters?

A. The “encounters” in Behind-the-Counter Encounters are three online vignettes that portray a “day in the life” of a pharmacist and demonstrate how pharmacists can serve as trusted counselors for consumers. My favorite part of the project was hearing some of the interesting stories that pharmacists shared with me about their experiences. Some stories were really eye-opening, while others demonstrated that pharmacists are vital members of the communities they serve.

Q. What is your role in the Behind-the-Counter Encounters Videos?

A. I play a variety of roles in the vignettes. However, regardless of whether I was playing a quirky customer or helping unlock some of the mysteries behind the pharmacy counter, the best part of this experience was gaining a greater appreciation for my local pharmacist. The best way to find out about the vignettes is to view them at www.BTCcenter.com!

Q. What was the most interesting thing you learned while filming the videos?

A. I learned that more consumers have a closer relationship with their hairdresser or mechanic than their pharmacist. I was really surprised that most people don’t know the individual who is responsible for making sure that they receive the right medicine and who provides helpful healthcare information. Learning about what pharmacists accomplish everyday has been a great experience. I’m really proud of these vignettes and feel they are a great way to showcase these unsung individuals in our communities.

1 Property of the following: Warner Brothers, Television and ABC Family.
2 Property of the following: MTV Networks
3 Property of the following: NBC, Television
4 Property of the following: CBS, Television and the Game Show Network
5 Property of the following: Columbia TriStar Television
6 Property of the following: E! Entertainment Television

 

 

Meet the Pharmacists

Jennifer Athay, PharmD

Jennifer Athay, PharmD, is the Director of Student Affairs at the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). Dr. Athay provides direction and oversight, and leads marketing activities for the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS), the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) and the Career Information Clearinghouse for pharmacy careers.

Dr. Athay is a member of the American Pharmacist Association (APhA) where she provides service as an APhA Media Advisor. She has received national awards in recognition of her leadership skills.

Dr. Athay is a graduate of Idaho State University and has experience working in the community pharmacy setting, the hospital pharmacy setting, and has nearly four years of experience working at the American Pharmacists Association with student pharmacists, helping them develop as professionals and as leaders in the pharmacy profession. In this role, she developed and managed several national patient care programs, as well as the National Patient Counseling Competition. She is also a practicing pharmacist in her local community.

Kristen A. Binaso, RPh, CCP, FASCP

Kristen A Binaso, RPh, CCP, FASCP, is the Director of Strategic Alliances and Business Development for the American Pharmacist Association (APhA) in Washington, DC. Ms. Binaso also serves as an APhA Media Advisor. She currently works for Target Pharmacy as well as at a local independent pharmacy in her community.

Ms. Binaso is a graduate of the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and a fellow of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. She is also certificate-trained in immunizations and serves as a certified consultant pharmacist in New Jersey. Ms Binaso is often an invited speaker and instructor at various national conferences, activities and events.

Ms. Binaso has extensive background in recruitment and pharmacy operations in the retail sector with CVS/Pharmacy and Rite-Aid

Peter VanPelt, RPh

Peter VanPelt, RPh, is a Senior Manager of Industry Relations for the American Pharmacist Association (APhA) in Washington, D.C. Mr. VanPelt manages the relationships for pharmaceutical manufacturer accounts, managing the development parameters of all professional education and industry relations grants, and managing new and existing strategic alliances for the APhA.

At the APhA, Mr. VanPelt is also intimately involved with the planning and execution of American Pharmacists Month, as well as serving as an APhA Media Advisor. Mr. VanPelt is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science and is certificate-trained in Immunizations.

Mr. VanPelt has an extensive background in recruitment and pharmacy operations in the retail sector with Albertsons, Inc.

What happened to some of your favorite allergy, cold and
sinus medicines?