NABP Executive Committee Names 2015 Honorary President Michael A. Podgurski, RPh

Each year the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy^® (NABP^®) Executive Committee selects an individual to serve as its honorary president for the coming year. NABP is pleased to announce that Michael A. Podgurski, RPh, has been awarded this honor for 2015 and was recognized during the Annual Awards Dinner at the NABP 111^th Annual Meeting, held May 16-19, 2015, in New Orleans, LA. In recognition of his dedication to the Association’s mission and goals, NABP named Mr Podgurski as its honorary president for his commitment to the boards of pharmacy, to protecting public health, and to the Association’s initiatives.

Mr Podgurski has shown ongoing commitment to NABP by participating as a member on numerous NABP committees and task forces, including the 2013 Task Force of Pharmacy Licensure Standards, the 2012 Task Force on Virtual Manufacturer and Wholesale Distributors, the 2010-2011 Community Pharmacy Accreditation Program Steering Committee, and the Committee on Law Enforcement/Legislation. He was also a member of the Task Force on Pharmacy Practice Technology Systems and the Verified Pharmacy Program™ Working Group. Further, Mr Podgurski was involved with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Roundtable on Health Information Technology and Prescription Drug Abuse and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Work Group.

Mr Podgurski is the vice president of pharmacy services for Rite Aid, a position he has held since 2007. He first joined Rite Aid in 1987 through the acquisition of SupeRx and has held several director and managerial roles for the company, including vice president of pharmacy operations, vice president of third-party administration, and director of pharmacy development. He is also a past member and officer of the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy where he served for 15 years, and has been a mentor to many state board members on the importance of collaboration and professional networking at NABP  and American Association of Colleges and Pharmacy District Meetings and NABP Annual Meetings.

Mr Podgurski earned his bachelor of science degree in pharmacy from West Virginia University.

_{NABP is the independent, international, and impartial Association that assists its member boards and jurisdictions for the purpose of protecting the public health.}