APhA Executive Postgraduate Training Program
The APhA Executive Postgraduate Training Program consists of five fellowship positions. The program is
designed to challenge motivated individuals who have ambitions to contribute towards advancement of the
pharmacy profession. The fellows work on high impact projects, representing APhA's members and developing
their leadership skills alongside many pharmacy leaders during their 1-year term with the association.
Postgraduate Training Programs: Executive Fellowship and Fellowships
The APhA Executive Postgraduate Training Program provides pharmacists with training and experience in foundational
association management at a national level to support APhA’s vision, mission, and reputation as the leading
professional organization representing pharmacists in all practice settings. Fellows contribute to APhA’s strategic
priorities and operations through collaborations with staff teams across the organization, developing lifelong
skills to advance the profession of pharmacy.
This rigorous experience provides the opportunity to meet, interact with, and learn from well-respected and highly
regarded professionals who are passionate about bold and transformational progress for the profession. Aspiring
pharmacy leaders are encouraged to apply if they are motivated to implement innovative ideas, have a will to inspire
change, and a desire to collaborate with members to advance the profession.
Positions within the program are 12-month paid opportunities that will take place at the historic APhA Headquarters
located on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
Departments
Executive Fellowship, APhA Foundation
The APhA Foundation is a nonprofit organization with the mission of improving health by inspiring philanthropy,
research, and innovation that advances pharmacists’ patient care services. The APhA Fellow is responsible for
training individuals for leadership positions within the profession, completing a Certificate in Association
Management through the American Society of Association Executives, interacting with senior staff, attending
board meetings, and collaborating with Foundation staff to oversee Incentive Grants, Scholarships, and Pinnacle
Awards.
Learn more
Fellowship,
Board of Pharmacy Specialties
The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) learning experience provides a unique opportunity for residents to gain
insight into the purpose, impact, and value of certification. Residents will be exposed to high-priority issues
within the professional pharmacy landscape from the perspective of a certification agency, with a focus on
specialization and advanced practice in the U.S. and around the globe. While integrated as a collaborative
member on the Professional Affairs, Communications and Engagement (PACE) team, residents will engage internally
with the other BPS teams (e.g., operations and logistics; psychometrics, testing, and research; and quality
assurance) and externally with volunteer leaders, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders. Residents will
enhance knowledge and skills in communications and project management by engaging in topic discussions,
participating in meetings, and contributing to strategic goals and initiatives.
Learn more
Fellowship,
Education
The Education Department is responsible for providing informative continuing education and other educational
resources for a variety of pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians in all practice settings.
Fellows in this department are involved in the content development process from start to finish, including
concept development, communication with subject matter experts (SMEs), content creation and review, project
management, instructional design, learning management and technology integrations, and post-publication
marketing. Fellows will continuously interface with various SMEs in a variety of areas to help create materials
and training for all APhA members. Fellows will also gain cross-departmental exposure to business development,
business strategy, and leadership development
Fellowship, Professional Affairs & Government Affairs
The Professional Affairs & Government Affairs teams work closely together to advocate for practices and
policies that advance the pharmacy profession. The Professional Affairs team collaborates with external
interested parties and groups to advance patient care service delivery, support coverage for pharmacists’
patient care services, advance pharmacists’ impact on public health and health equity, and address practice
infrastructure needs. The Government Affairs team monitors and engages in federal and state legislative and
regulatory activities that impact pharmacy, and educates pharmacists and student pharmacists on the importance
of grassroots advocacy. Fellows will spend time between both the Professional Affairs and Government Affairs
departments to advance the mission of the association and promote the role of the pharmacists and pharmacy
personnel in health care
Benefits
- Competitive stipend consistent with that of other pharmacy residencies and fellowships
- Social Security withholdings through payroll deductions
- Health and dental insurance (family coverage may be obtained)
- Group term life insurance and long-term disability insurance
- Ten days personal leave during the 1-year period
Qualifications
The APhA staff will select fellows based on the following qualifications:
- The applicant must be a graduate of an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited
college or school of pharmacy.
- The applicant must be recommended by present or former employers, preceptors, college faculty, or dean.
How to apply
The application process is now closed. Please check back in October 2025.
As part of the process, applicants will be asked to rank their preferred fellowship type (Board of Pharmacy
Specialties, Education, APhA Foundation, and Professional Affairs and Government Affairs). Also,
electronically submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae (CV) via the application form. At a minimum, the
following should be included in the applicant’s CV and/or cover letter:
- Contact information: Name, address, phone number, and email address
- Education and training: Institutions, locations, years attended, dates of graduation, type of training
or major subject, degrees, and certificates
- Professional and related experience: Institution or organization, location, dates, type of work, and
position title
- Organizational memberships (including positions held and activities): Professional, honorary, service,
and social
- Publications
- Honors or awards received
- Personal objectives: Brief description of future goals and aspirations, and why the APhA Executive
Postgraduate Training Program will be of value
The application also requires two letters of recommendation from any of the following: a present or former
employer, preceptor, college faculty, or dean, which must be submitted directly within the application
portal.
For more information and questions, please contact APhA’s Tom English at tenglish@aphanet.org.
Testimonials
2024-2025 APhA Executive Postgraduate Training Program Fellows share their experiences:
Yara Al-Shaer, Education
I pursued the education fellowship because I have always been passionate about optimizing medication use
within the profession. The fellowship has given me the unique opportunity to create high-quality
educational content that meets practice needs and supports pharmacists in improving their ability to
optimize medication use. The experience has been incredibly valuable, allowing me to collaborate with
subject matter experts across various areas of pharmacy. I’ve had the opportunity to make a meaningful
impact by developing educational content for pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians.
Additionally, my passion for advocating for women’s health has been enriched by connecting with and
working alongside pharmacy leaders dedicated to this cause, which has been especially rewarding
Nicholas Bennett-Brush, Education
My time as an education fellow has significantly deepened my grasp of the profession. APhA’s dedication
to advancing the field and supporting its members aligns perfectly with my commitment to servant
leadership and pharmacy advocacy. During this fellowship, I’ve collaborated with pharmacists across the
country to deliver educational programs to pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and student pharmacists,
which has been immensely rewarding. The experiences with association management have enhanced my
organizational and leadership skills, providing a comprehensive view of the profession’s complexities.
This fellowship has been instrumental in building a solid foundation for my future career in pharmacy,
integrating both educational and managerial expertise
Cristian Rodriquez, APhA Foundation
In just the first few months with APhA, I traveled to many states and witnessed an array of pharmacy
experiences and models that have immensely expanded my knowledge of what pharmacists are actively doing
to care for patients. While most of my time is spent with the APhA Foundation and helping to get
pharmacists the recognition they deserve, this fellowship experience also allows the opportunity to
delve into all aspects of the association and gain insight into what it takes to make a pharmacy
organization run efficiently. If I could go back in time and choose my path again, there is no doubt
that I would again choose the APhA Foundation Executive Fellowship again without hesitation!
CharLeigh Steverson, Board of Pharmacy Specialties
The mentorship from the BPS staff has been transformative, offering me hands-on experiences in strategic
planning, quality improvement initiatives, and practice implementation. These opportunities have allowed
me to refine my skills in shaping and advancing pharmacy practice on a broad scale. I’ve also had the
privilege of engaging with distinguished subject matter experts, gaining unparalleled insights into
advanced pharmacy practice and credentialing. Collaborating with various stakeholders in credentialing
has further enhanced my expertise and provided a comprehensive understanding of the field. This
experience has been both professionally and personally fulfilling, enabling me to advance my career and
contribute meaningfully to the esteemed APhA community that has significantly influenced my development
Corey Whetzel, Professional Affairs & Government Affairs
I have been exposed to various projects that have helped me grow personally and professionally. These
projects have expanded my knowledge of the current landscape of our profession and how we can advance it
to meet the needs of the communities we serve. This fellowship has also provided me with the opportunity
to collaborate with pharmacy professionals and external stakeholders to better understand the concerns
of practicing pharmacists, which has equipped me to assist in the development of strategies and
resources to help push the profession forward. I am confident the skills I have acquired and the
connections I have made during my time at APhA will stay with me for many years to come