ABQ Times

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) has recently elected a prominent faculty member from The University of New Mexico’s College of Pharmacy as its new President-elect and to a three-year term on the Board of Directors. It is the first time a president has been elected from New Mexico.

ASHP is the largest association of pharmacists in the U.S. and according to its website, “ASHP has championed innovation in pharmacy practice, advanced education and professional development, and served as a steadfast advocate for members and patients.” Melanie A. Dodd, PharmD, PhC, BCPS, FASHP, associate dean for clinical affairs and professor in the UNM College of Pharmacy, will preside as president.

“ASHP has been my professional home since I was a pharmacy student. It has always been my goal to contribute to the advancement of our profession and to advocate for optimizing patient care,” said Dodd.

Dodd graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy. She graduated from UNM with her Doctor of Pharmacy degree and completed her residency at Presbyterian Healthcare Services.

In the UNM College of Pharmacy, Dodd oversees innovative clinical models and faculty clinical services including credentialing, contracting, billing, and reimbursement. She provides key pharmacy professional advocacy and serves on academic and UNM Health System leadership committees. Dodd is a pharmacist clinician in geriatric primary care with broad prescriptive authority at the UNM Hospitals Senior Health Clinic and is a consultant pharmacist for 340B-eligible and other ambulatory clinics. She is responsible for extensive didactic and clinical teaching activities in the UNM PharmD program and UNM Health Sciences Center, including geriatric syndromes, pharmacy law, interprofessional education, and serves as a residency preceptor. Her research includes geriatric syndromes, advanced practice pharmacist models, and scholarship of teaching and learning.

This prestigious position not only highlights Dodd's dedication to the pharmacy profession but also brings a unique perspective to the national stage.

When asked about her motivation behind pursuing a leadership role within ASHP, Dodd reflected on her deep-rooted connection with the organization.

“Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege to engage with ASHP in various capacities,” she said. “My vision has always been to use the skills and opportunities I've been afforded to advance our practice.”

Dodd’s dedication to pharmacy is evident in her extensive involvement with ASHP over the years. Her leadership roles have included serving as Chair of the House of Delegates among others. These experiences have shaped her vision for patient care advocacy.

As Dodd begins her term as ASHP President-elect she focuses on several key priorities reflecting both challenges facing pharmacists today:

"One issue we face is ensuring that patients have access to optimal healthcare," said Dodd."We need better models allowing patients access especially underserved communities."

She highlighted advocacy importance particularly securing federal provider status:

"Working on federal provider status top priority," explained."We need advocating legislation recognizing pharmacists providers under Medicare Part B opening financial support sustainable business models greater access."

Pharmacy profession faces numerous challenges drug shortages workforce issues integration new technologies artificial intelligence keenly aware obstacles strategic approach addressing them:

"We need advance roles communicate advancements public healthcare colleagues community large," she said."Training future workforce especially academic medical centers critical preparing aging population complex needs."

Representing New Mexico nationally milestone eager represent advocate smaller less represented regions:

"I’m incredibly excited share innovations developed New Mexico particularly advanced practice license pharmacist clinician model," shared looking forward supporting states communities advancing models advocating necessary legislative changes."

Reflecting career acknowledged mentors experiences prepared leadership role:

"I’ve amazing mentors colleagues throughout career encouraged take leadership roles never thought possible," leading NM Society chairing councils invaluable shaping style clear impact hopes broader profession:

"Big goals ensure recognized direct patient care providers settings lead creating future closing gaps improving outcomes."

Advice aspiring leaders obligation give back unique skills experiences powerful impact say yes opportunities arise actions words matter change healthcare communities better inspiration legacy credits family professional mentors inspiring throughout career:

"My parents husband children greatest supporters,” fortunate mentors encouraged chances step roles hope inspire build strong innovative future workforce profession grateful Donald Godwin Dean rest college community serve capacity embarking promises bring perspectives solutions continued commitment advancing benefit patients across nation.