Ann Richards
Ann Richards, PharmD, BCPP, Pharmacy Director at the San Antonio State Hospital and current president of CPNP, has a unique focus on the administrative aspects of psychiatric pharmacy. Her passion for psychiatric pharmacy developed in pharmacy school during her clinical rotations. Here she discovered the influences that a clinical psychiatric pharmacist could have on the care of patients with mental illness. Dr. Richards characterizes herself as one of those rare persons who at times can not sleep at night because she is so excited about going to work. In her position as a pharmacy director, she participates on many committees, such as the pharmacy and therapeutics committee, which helps decide best practices for medications. She has also implemented many new services at her hospital including robotic distribution, computerized prescriber order entry and electronic medication administration records. Additionally, Dr. Richards serves as the Pharmacy Services Director for the Texas Department of State Health Services, Hospital Section. This position involves her in many statewide initiatives including submitting budget requests to the legislature, and evaluating legislative bills that affect pharmacy services. In this position she is able to influence the practice of pharmacy in other state facilities within Texas.
