FMCP Volunteers and Donors: This one’s for YOU

 

I once read an anonymous quote that stated “In any situation, ask yourself: What strengths do I possess that can contribute towards accomplishing something in this situation? Then follow through.” 

 

Almost five years ago, I was approached by the FMCP Board and asked if I could lead FMCP as the chief executive officer. Leading a foundation as a member of the staff would be a big change as my career in healthcare had been exclusively in the for-profit sector. As I thought about the quote above, I felt that with the help of my fellow managed care pharmacy colleagues, we could truly make a difference in the lives of the patients we all serve so I began learning about foundations and what we could accomplish.

 

Together, we have accomplished much and it has been my pleasure to be a part of the dynamic growth of the Foundation for Managed Care Pharmacy (FMCP). However, my journey in life-long learning has presented me with a new opportunity to pursue and once again contemplating the opening quote, I have decided to join First Health Services, a Magellan company, serving as Senior Vice President of Pharmacy.

 

The growth of FMCP would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of those who cared, so my final column is dedicated to all of the wonderful volunteers who help make FMCP the great organization it is. A sincere “THANK YOU” to all of FMCP’s individual and corporate donors. Thank you for your support as we have worked together to make FMCP an outwardly focused foundation, serving to improve the public health by conducting research, education and philanthropic endeavors to help people receive the medications and services they need.

 

One might ask, what exactly have we accomplished over the last five years? Highlights of recent foundation activities include strengthening our governance, including the inaugural strategic plan and the hiring of the first development consultants in the history of FMCP. Taking seriously the significant fiduciary responsibility of serving as Board members, the FMCP Board has participated in extensive training and development regarding their role as leaders charged with the governance and fundraising needs of a charitable organization. 

 

The fundraising efforts of numerous FMCP volunteers, including the FMCP Development committee resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of AMCP members supporting the foundation.  The number of individual donors grew from less than 20 at the end of June 2005 to over 180 in 2009 and the number of corporate donors has also grown and the first major gifts program, the FMCP Founders’ Circle was launched.

 

As our funding increased, so did our efforts in research, education and philanthropy related to managed care pharmacy. FMCP conducted approximately 7 programs in 2005, compared to over 16 projects and programs per year in recent times, ranging in topics from Format research and the Version 3.0 revision, the addition of the Allergan specialized summer internships in health outcomes, work to raise awareness regarding Medication Adherence, a multi-stakeholder forum in Value Based Healthcare, and the launch of the FMCP Specialty Pharmacy Initiative, all while continuing and enhancing popular legacy programs such as the P &T Competition and the Pfizer summer internships. I am especially proud of our work to initiate five scholarships for student pharmacists, the rising pharmacy leaders in healthcare. A huge thank you goes to members of the FMCP Education committee who have worked tirelessly to assist FMCP staff in our educational efforts and the FMCP Format Executive committee who devote countless volunteer hours to ensure the AMCP Format for Formulary Submissions remains up to date and responsive to the needs of the marketplace.

 

Advancing the work of FMCP could not have been done without you. I look forward to working alongside all of you as a volunteer again, continuing the great work that has begun by those who led FMCP before me and the next individual selected to continue leading the legacy of FMCP. To ensure that the work of FMCP continues without pause during this time of transition, Richard Fry has been named the Interim CEO of FMCP and Ebony Clay continues in her role as FMCP Program Manager.

 

To the many individuals and corporations who have helped grow FMCP, please know that I will always remember your kindness and generosity and I know you will continue to help the next leader of FMCP.

 

Thank you for giving your time, your talent and your treasures to truly make a difference in the lives of the people we serve.