Strategic Direction 4 of the ACCP Strategic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan is to increase representation of currently underrepresented groups within clinical pharmacy. Earlier this year, ACCP signed a collaborative position statement on ensuring racial and ethnic diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels of health care. Within this statement, health care organizations are called on to identify and remove obstacles that limit access to professional roles for members of racial and ethnic minority groups. To that end, ACCP is collaborating with colleges and schools of pharmacy, the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA), and the National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA) to identify and minimize barriers to student pharmacist access to clinical pharmacy career paths.

Efforts to diversify the pipeline have been implemented by colleges and schools of pharmacy across the country. To provide enhanced access to clinical pharmacy career paths for these diverse students, a pilot program designed to provide early student pharmacists with competence and confidence in seeking postgraduate training has been offered to several colleges and schools of pharmacy with many underrepresented minority students. Titled “Emerge First” (because it parallels the College’s longstanding “Emerge from the Crowd” programming), this live, remote program is individualized based on campus-specific needs and is delivered directly to the campus. For more information about Emerge First or for those interested in exploring the opportunity to offer this program on their campus, contact Keri Sims at [email protected].

To provide equitable access to postgraduate recruitment opportunities for all candidates and programs, SNPhA and ACCP will continue their collaboration to offer a remote postgraduate training recruitment event that is free for both candidates and programs. Taking place in October 2023 and building on the success of the 2022 event, the 2023 virtual program infrastructure will be improved to enhance the experience, allowing for easier navigation, and enabling both candidates and programs to identify favorites. Additional outreach to colleges and schools of pharmacy will take place to ensure the event is well attended by both candidates and program representatives. To allow program representatives to plan event coverage, candidates will be given the opportunity to sign up in advance to gain entry to virtual meeting rooms. Look for additional event information and the opportunity to sign up in early fall. New in 2023, ACCP will also participate in SNPhA’s residency showcase week by providing a preview of Emerge from the Crowd content to SNPhA members.

To provide meaningful resources that support pursuit of nontraditional pathways and transition to clinical pharmacy careers, ACCP is collaborating with NPhA to deliver a program at the NPhA annual convention in July. The session, “Navigating Career Paths and Transitions,” will be a fast-paced interactive session including content on discovering career paths, digital profiles and networking, PGY1 equivalencies, and strategic continuing professional development.

ACCP will continue to identify opportunities to decrease unnecessary barriers and increase equitable access to clinical pharmacy career paths to further its mission to improve human health. In addition to the efforts described above, all ACCP members are encouraged to support students, trainees, and colleagues pursuing clinical pharmacy careers.