Opening Session

A Conversation with Viola Davis
Viola Davis is a critically revered, award-winning actress, producer, and New York Times Best-Selling Author. She is the first black actress to win two Tony Awards ("Fences" & "King Hedley II"), an Oscar ("Fences"), and an Emmy ("How to Get Away with Murder"). She also achieved EGOT status by winning a Grammy for the audiobook recording of her memoir Finding Me.

Davis was most recently seen portraying Nanisca in "The Woman King." Based on true events and produced by Davis' JuVee Productions, the film tells the story of a general of an all-female West African military.

In 2021, Davis received an Oscar nomination for her transformative performance as Ma Rainey in Netflix's "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." She also won a SAG award for the role and received a Golden Globe Award nomination and Critic's Choice Award nomination.

In 2019, Davis wrapped the final season of the ABC series "How to Get Away with Murder," from ABC Studios and Shondaland. In 2015, Davis received the Screen Actors Guild Award for "Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series," in addition to becoming the first African American actress to receive the Primetime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series." In 2016, she received her second Screen Actors Guild Award and her second Emmy nomination for portraying Annalise Keating and in 2019, received her third Emmy Nomination for the role. In 2019, Davis was also seen in Amazon Studio's family comedy, "Troop Zero," directed by Bert & Bertie.

In 2018, Davis was seen staring in Fox's "Widows." Directed by Steve McQueen and written by Gillian Flynn, the film follows a group of widows after their criminal husbands are killed during a heist.

In 2017, she was seen in "Fences" for Paramount Pictures. The film was directed and produced by Denzel Washington and was adapted from August Wilson's play. Davis garnered Critics Choice, Golden Globe, SAG, BAFTA, and an Academy award in the category of "Best Supporting Actress" for her portrayal of 'Rose Maxson.' Davis also starred with Washington in the 2010 revival of the play on Broadway. Her performance earned her a Tony Award, as well as the Drama Critics' Circle Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, and Drama Desk Award. "Fences" was also honored with the Tony Award for "Best Play Revival" and was the most profitable theater production of the year.

In 2016, Davis was seen in the highly anticipated "Suicide Squad" with Will Smith, Margot Robbie, and Jared Leto. The film broke the all-time opening record for August with $135 million. In 2015, Davis starred opposite Jennifer Lopez in "Lila & Eve," the story of two mothers whose children are killed in drive-by shootings. Davis also took the reins as a producer on this film, along with her husband, Julius Tennon, for their company, JuVee Productions.

In 2013, film audiences saw Davis in four vastly different projects. In the film adaptation of the popular science fiction novel "Ender's Game," Davis portrayed military psychologist 'Major Gwen Anderson,' opposite Asa Butterfield, Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin, and Harrison Ford. In Warner Bros.' "Prisoners," a dark thriller about two families shattered by the kidnapping of their daughters on Thanksgiving Day, she starred alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, Hugh Jackman, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard, and Paul Dano. In "Beautiful Creatures," Davis joined Emma Thompson and Jeremy Irons in telling the tale of two teens confronting a multi-generational curse. Warner Brothers and Alcon produced the film.

In 2012, Davis and her husband founded JuVee, with its focus being to give a voice to the voiceless through strong, impactful, and culturally relevant narratives. The Los Angeles-based and artist-driven company produces film, television, and digital content across all of entertainment.

In 2012, Davis received an Oscar nomination for "Best Actress" for her portrayal of the heartbroken but stoic 'Aibileen Clark' in "The Help." Emma Stone, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Octavia Spencer also starred. The film adaptation of Kathryn Stockett's best-selling novel, directed by Tate Taylor, was set in Jackson, Mississippi, during the turbulent 1960s, and was also nominated for an Academy Award for "Best Picture."

Davis won the Screen Actors Guild and Critics' Choice "Best Actress" Awards for her portrayal of 'Aibileen,' and was also nominated for a Golden Globe and British Academy Film Award. The film won a Screen Actors Guild Award for "Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture" and a Critics' Choice Award for "Best Acting Ensemble."

In 2008, Davis starred in the critically revered film "Doubt" based on John Patrick Shanley's Tony Award-winning play, where she portrayed 'Mrs. Miller,' the mother of a young boy who piques the fascination of a Catholic priest. Davis shared the screen alongside Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Davis was nominated for a Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, and an Academy Award for "Best Supporting Actress." The National Board of Review recognized Davis with the Breakthrough Award and she was also honored by the Santa Barbara Film Festival as a Virtuoso.

That same year, Davis had a six-episode arc in Showtime's hit series "United States of Tara," written by Academy-Award winner Diablo Cody. Davis portrayed 'Lynda P. Frazier,' a wildly eccentric artist and friend to 'Tara' (Toni Collette).

Davis won the Independent Spirit Award for "Best Supporting Female" for her performance in "Antwone Fisher." Additional film credits include, "Get On Up," "Blackhat," "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," "Knight and Day," "Nights in Rodanthe," "Madea Goes to Jail," "Law Abiding Citizen," "Disturbia," "Eat, Pray, Love," "It's Kind of a Funny Story," "The Architect," "Never Back Down" and "Far From Heaven." She worked with director Steven Soderbergh on "Solaris," "Traffic," "Out of Sight," and "Syriana," which Soderbergh produced for director Stephen Gaghan.

In 2004, Davis starred on the stage in the Roundabout Theatre Company's production of Lynn Nottage's play, "Intimate Apparel," directed by Daniel Sullivan. She garnered the highest honors for an off-Broadway play, including "Best Actress" awards from the Drama Desk, the Drama League, the Obie, and the Audelco Award. Davis was nominated for the Lucille Lortel Award as well. She reprised her role at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles where she was recognized with the Ovation, Los Angeles Drama Critics, and the Garland Awards.

In 2001, Davis was awarded a Tony for "Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play" for her portrayal of 'Tonya' in "King Hedley II." She commanded the attention of critics and audiences alike for her portrayal of "Tonya," a 35-year-old woman who is forced to fight for the right to abort an unwanted pregnancy. Davis also received a Drama Desk Award in recognition of her work.

A graduate of The Julliard School, Davis received an Honorary Doctorate during its 109th Commencement Ceremony and she also holds an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts degree from her alma mater, Rhode Island College. She resides in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter.

Presidential Address
ASHP President Nishaminy (Nish) Kasbekar, PharmD, BSPharm, FASHP, Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer, University of Pennsylvania Health System

CEO Award for Staff Excellence
Presented by ASHP Chief Executive (CEO) Paul W. Abramowitz, PharmD, ScD (Hon), FASHP, the CEO Award for Staff Excellence recognizes an individual staff member who, in addition to performing all of their normal job duties with excellence, has also demonstrated exceptional initiative in contributing to ASHP. Specifically, this award recognizes a staff member who has provided an outstanding contribution by leading or developing a project of significant value for ASHP and has demonstrated sustained excellence over time to the advancement of ASHP.

• Sean Abell, Senior Manager, Membership Marketing, Office of Marketing & Communications
• Quyen Dinh, Director, Brand Marketing & Communications
• Mary Ann Kliethermes, Director, Medication Safety and Quality, Office of Practice Advancement

Announcement of the 2023 ASHP National Clinical Skills Competition Winning Team
The ASHP National Clinical Skills Competition is an interactive, team-based analysis of patient-case scenarios that provides student pharmacists the opportunity to showcase and enhance their clinical skills and knowledge. Winning teams from the local-level competitions at each school and college of pharmacy compete in the semifinal round (national-level) on Saturday. The top 10 teams advance to compete in the final round, oral presentation, on Sunday.

Acknowledgment of the Donald E. Francke Medalist
The ASHP Board of Directors Donald E. Francke Medal honors pharmacists who have made significant international contributions to advance pharmacy practice.

Vincent T. Idemyor, PharmD, Distinguished Visiting Scholar and Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Management, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

ASHP Board of Directors Awards
ASHP Board of Directors Award of Honor
The ASHP Board of Directors Award of Honor recognizes people outside the pharmacy discipline who have made extraordinary national or worldwide contributions to the health field.

Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA, 21st U.S. Surgeon General, Department of Health and Human Services

Murthy is a highly esteemed physician and scientist whose work has improved health and healthcare in the United States and globally. As the U.S. surgeon general, he actively works to enhance emotional well-being and curb burnout among healthcare professionals. He is also an advocate for the engagement of pharmacists on the interprofessional healthcare team and champions their role in the successful treatment of patients.

ASHP Board of Directors Distinguished Leadership Award
The ASHP Board of Directors Distinguished Leadership Award recognizes pharmacists who have achieved excellence in pharmacy practice leadership in acute and ambulatory care settings.

Charles E. Daniels, BSPharm, PhD, FASHP, Chief Pharmacy Officer, UC San Diego Health; Associate Dean for Professional Practice and Clinical Professor, UC San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Daniels’s strategic leadership and solutions-oriented focus demonstrate the value of pharmacists as key members of interdisciplinary leadership teams and have elevated and expanded the role of pharmacy professionals.

Mark Woods, PharmD, BCPS, FASHP, FKCHP, Clinical Coordinator, Pharmacy Department, Saint Luke’s Hospital

Woods is a passionate leader, educator, clinician, and mentor. For more than 30 years, he has shaped and transformed the profession in countless ways, and he continues to positively influence and guide future generations of pharmacy practitioners.

ASHP Board of Directors Pharmacy Champion Award
The ASHP Board of Directors Pharmacy Champion Award recognizes leadership in advocacy and public policy that contributes to significant improvements in patient care, drug safety, medication-use outcomes, and advances the vital roles pharmacists play as patient care providers.

Alex J. Adams, PharmD, MPH, Administrator, Idaho Division of Financial Management

Adams is a champion for advancing patient care by enabling pharmacy technicians and pharmacists to practice to the full extent of their education and training. Under his leadership, the Idaho Board of Pharmacy cut regulations and broadened autonomous prescriptive authority in the state to cover preventative care and acute and chronic conditions. As a result, Idaho’s advanced practice authority legislation and regulations now serve as a model for other states seeking to advance pharmacy practice and patient care.

Julie Groppi, PharmD, FASHP, Assistant Deputy Chief Consultant, Clinical Pharmacy Practice and Policy, Veterans Affairs

Groppi is a change agent and an example of servant leadership. Her passion for advancing state scope of practice and establishing advanced pharmacist roles has driven clinical pharmacy practice advancements nationally. Her efforts have empowered pharmacists across all practice settings to fulfill their role as essential patient care providers and vital members of the interprofessional healthcare team.

ASHP Board of Directors Pharmacy Technician Excellence Award
The ASHP Board of Directors Pharmacy Technician Excellence Award recognizes contributions to excellence in the role of pharmacy technicians, the advancement of the pharmacy technician workforce, and the advancement of pharmacy practice.

Danielle Pierce, CPhT, Director of Pharmacy Operations, Equitas Health Pharmacy

Pierce is an exemplary leader who has dedicated her career to advancing the role of pharmacy technicians and enhancing healthcare access for patients from medically underserved populations. A tireless advocate for technician excellence, she has spearheaded numerous innovative and technician-led programs that have enhanced the professionalization of pharmacy technicians and elevated the pharmacy technician workforce.

Rafael Roman, BA, CPhT, CSPT, RPhT, Training Coordinator of Technical Operations, Division of Pharmacy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Roman is a passionate advocate for pharmacy technician advancement. Throughout his 20-year career, he has worked to develop strategies to elevate the role of pharmacy technicians, advocate for the creation and promotion of career ladder advancement opportunities for pharmacy technicians, and enhance pharmacy technician engagement on a local, state, and national scale while also emphasizing the importance of diversity and equity within the profession.

ASHP–ABHP Joint Leadership Award
The ASHP–ABHP Joint Leadership Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare.

Sharon L. Youmans, PharmD, MPH, Professor of Clinical Pharmacy and Executive Vice Dean, University of California San Francisco (UCSF) School of Pharmacy

Youmans is a respected educator, scholar, and leader with a passion for reducing racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare by fostering a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive healthcare workforce. With a strong focus on public health communication and cultural humility, she has worked tirelessly to transform and advance the pharmacy education landscape to create learning environments that are encouraging, nurturing, and supportive of all students, ensure equal access to opportunities and resources, and cultivate success both in the classroom and beyond.

ASHP Foundation 2023 Literature Award for Sustained Contributions
The ASHP Foundation annual Literature Award for Sustained Contributions recognizes a pharmacist who has made significant contributions to biomedical literature over a minimum of 20 years.

Kevin W. Garey, PharmD, MS, FASHP, FIDSA, FCCP, BCIDP, Professor and Chair, University of Houston College of Pharmacy

Garey is a seasoned researcher and educator. He has published over 275 manuscripts centered on clinical and translational research in healthcare-associated infections, and his research is supported by the National Institute of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the biotechnology industry.