QUESTION: Who is part of the Walgreens Deans Advisory Council?
ANSWER: The Deans Advisory Council is comprised of 18 members from outside Walgreens. Fourteen members are deans of colleges and schools of pharmacy from across the United States, representing each of our operational regions. Another dean is the council co-chair, and three other members--two are deans and one is not--represent national professional pharmacy organizations.
On the Walgreens side, John Colaizzi, vice president of pharmacy practice, and Lorri Walmsley, director of pharmacy affairs, serve as council co-chairs. Walgreens Chief Pharmacy Officer Rick Gates is the Deans Council’s executive sponsor. Walgreens Boots Alliance CEO Tim Wentworth, and Gates, attend all council meetings.
Q: Why was the Walgreens Deans Advisory Council created?
A: We formed the Deans Advisory Council this year because the number of students applying to, and pharmacists graduating from, pharmacy schools is declining, while the demand for pharmacy services is increasing.
As the largest independent chain pharmacy, Walgreens is perfectly suited to working with pharmacy schools to enhance the pharmacy profession and better support pharmacists as they provide valuable care to their local communities. We have a history of a long-term partnership with pharmacy schools and working collaboratively with the industry.
Q: What are the goals of the council?
A: The Council has chosen to focus on four objectives:
- Evolve the community pharmacy business model to advocate for pharmacist practitioner services.
- Improve on key aspects of community pharmacy strategy, practice, and administration-related topics.
- Collaborate on ways to enhance the talent pipeline into colleges of pharmacy.
- Elevate community pharmacy as a practice setting of choice through direct feedback from the colleges.
Council members are working in sub-committees to further narrow the scope of these objectives. The sub-committees need more time to make recommendations for action, likely at their fall meeting.
Q: How long have the deans agreed to participate in the council?
A: This is a long-term commitment by Walgreens and the deans. Council members have agreed to staggered terms of two, three and four years which will work best to include other pharmacy school deans while ensuring continuity.
Q: How often does the council meet?
A: The full council meets four times a year, a mix of virtual and in-person meetings. The sub-committees meet frequently to delve into their objectives.
Q: Is the Deans Advisory Council different from the Walgreens Deans Seminar?
A: Yes. The Deans Advisory Council supplements the long-running Walgreens Deans Seminar which brings all 140 pharmacy school deans together each year.
The council gives us the opportunity to partner more closely with deans to enhance the pharmacy profession and better support pharmacists as they provide valuable care to their local communities.
To learn more about the deans on the council go to WalgreensBootsAlliance.com.
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The Deans Advisory Council pictured with Walgreens leadership