FSHP members and guests were treated royally as they converged on the beautiful and newly renovated Buena Vista Palace Hotel and Spa for the 43rd Annual Meeting and Exhibit Program, REACHING MILESTONES.  Nearly 1000 attendees celebrated the FSHP Experience by participating in excellent educational programs, formal and informal networking, opportunities to greet old friends, make new friends, and exchange information with the vendors in the exhibit hall.

The Opening General Session began with "The Medication Safety Journey" by Natasha Nicol, PharmD.  Dr. Nicol's presentation captured the attention of the attendees with humor, multiple "real life" examples and a personal story that every practicing pharmacist needs to hear.

Keynote Speaker Daniel E. Buffington, PharmD, MBA delivered an informative and inspiring presentation "Reaching Milestones: Medication Therapy Management (MTM)." In addition to outlining the significant milestones in the evolution of this pharmacy practice, Dr. Buffington offered several examples of business models and various reimbursement models for establishing a MTM service.

Pharmacist attendees could select from over thirty-eight (38) hours of ACPE accredited General CE and thirty-five (35) hours of Florida Board of Pharmacy Consultant Re-Certification CE including Medication Errors CE.  Technician attendees could select from twenty (20) hours of special programming.  In addition, several association and industry-sponsored satellite CE programs were held separate from, but in conjunction with, the FSHP Annual Meeting.

A new feature this year was the special programming for "Directors-Only" A private luncheon, special workshop, exclusive exhibit hours and a private reception offered a group of sixty (60) Directors of Pharmacy from small, medium and large hospitals and health-systems a unique opportunity to exchange information on topics of mutual interest.

Ninety (90) vendors and organizations, representing pharmaceutical manufacturers, equipment and fixture manufacturers, hardware and software companies, hazardous waste management companies and staffing agencies filled the exhibit hall to capacity.  In addition to the displays by the Colleges of Pharmacy from FAMU, LECOM, NSU and UF the Cancer Drug Donation Program.  Eight (8) pharmacists and five (5) pharmacy participated in the poster session competitions.

Pharmacy Students had many unique learning experiences during the Annual Meeting.  "Speed Dating With A Pharmacist" offered pharmacy students timed-rotations with pharmacy practitioners from a wide variety of practice settings.  The "Pharmacy Student Leadership Workshop" provided the student attendees with multiple examples of leadership opportunities in administrative, distributive and clinical practices.  The Workshop was followed by the Residency Showcase where nineteen (19) hospital-based residencies, representing general and specialized programs, provided students with the opportunity to meet with preceptors and current residents.

The Closing General Session on Sunday morning began with the installation of FSHP President Peter Iafrate and the new Directors, Connie Hogrefe, Mark Ninno and Amy Rockwell and FPA President Karen Whalen.  Dr Iafrate's inaugural address featured several examples of how each member of FSHP is a full partner in our financial, organizational and legislative success.

The work of the FSHP Staff was made much easier by the pharmacy student volunteers who prepared bags for the attendees, assisted at the registration desk, and times events at the Directors-Only Workshop.  We commend the following pharmacy student volunteers from LECOM-Bradenton: Beatrice Adams, Lindsay Bouwkamp, Nathaly Grullon, Thao Le, Rebecca Nelson, Janine Mannaing and Jessica Wendler.

On Saturday evening FSHP attendees were shuttled off to Disney’s Magic Kingdom ® Park to enjoy the Theme Park’s seven whimsical lands and see how fantasy becomes reality.  Guests enjoyed the Spectromagic Nighttime Parade and the Wishes Nighttime Spectacular Fireworks Display.

Be sure to mark your calendars for the 44th Annual Meeting and Exhibit Program to be held July 30-August 1, 2010 at the beautiful Buena Vista Palace Hotel and Spa to create another memorable FSHP Experience.  Watch the FSHP website for details.