Cynthia K. Kirkwood, Pharm.D., BCPP
President, CPNP Foundation
The mission of the CPNP Foundation Board is to enhance the capacity of pharmacy professionals to provide effective and compassionate treatment to individuals with mental disorders. Our focus is on connecting pharmacy professionals and individuals living with mental disorders and their caregivers to ensure effective and compassionate treatment as well as connecting pharmacy
professionals working to advance innovation in mental health treatment.
To promote connections, the CPNP Foundation is excited to sponsor two important initiatives at the Annual Meeting:
- Mental Health First Aid Training - Please urge your students to register for the Mental Health First Aid Training Program that will take place on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning before the meeting begins. There are a few spots remaining for this nationally recognized certificate program which focuses on providing practical training on identifying, understanding and responding to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders.
- StigmaFree Campaign - All CPNP members are encouraged to actively demonstrate their commitment by pledging to be StigmaFree, (pledge electronically if you will not be attending), signing the on-site banner, and snapping a quick selfie! Addi
tionally, all meeting attendees are invited to participate in the StigmaFree Me! Discussion Den, moderated by CPNP Board Member Carol Ott and CPNP Member Suzie Harris, on Monday at 10:45 am. You can also support the StigmaFree Walk with NAMI through a donation benefitting both NAMI and the CPNP Foundation when you register prior to the meeting or at the registration desk. Wear your StigmaFree t-shirt for the walk occurring on Wednesday, April 25 at 6:45 AM. Please feel free to wear your t-shirt at any time during the meeting to show your support of this important theme.
The Board will be meeting onsite at CPNP 2018 to evaluate our progress toward the core strategies identified in the 2017-2019 CPNP Foundation Strategic Plan as outlined below:
- Connect Pharmacy Professionals with Individuals Living with Mental Disorders
- Provide future direction for the Mental Health Pharmacy Directory, that continues to grow in the number of pharmacies identified as mental health friendly to patients and their families.
- Collaborate with community pharmacy organizations in an ongoing effort to enhance pharmacy personnel’s care of individuals with mental illness.
- Cultivate Innovation in Treatment of Mental Disorders
- Increase funding for student travel scholarships to offset the cost of attendance at the annual meetings. Twenty students have the opportunity to present their posters, participate in student programming, complete Mental Health First Aid Training, and network with residents and pharmacists practicing in the specialty area where these students aspire to practice at this year’s Annual Meeting.
- Increase the number of Defining the Future Grants to support research on innovative and cutting-edge practices in the care for patients with mental disorders. Three awardees will be presenting their research at this year’s Annual Meeting.
- Branding, Communication, and Donor Cultivation and Development
- Work collaboratively with CPNP Board on complementary visions.
- Begin work on a compelling case statement about the CPNP Foundation.
- Reach out to members to consider leaving a legacy through a bequest to support the future activities of the Foundation.
- Board Development and Effective Governance
- Recruit individuals with diversified perspectives, skill sets, and passion to serve on the Board.
- Maintain effective governance by educating and training Board members.
Members of the Board will be available during the Annual Meeting at a booth near the registration desk to discuss the core strategies and answer any questions that you may have about the CPNP Foundation. As you stop by to make your StigmaFree pledge and say hello, let us know your thoughts and ideas. Feel free to grab us at any time during the meeting – we welcome your input!
Board members include: Sarah Grady, Gene Makela, Dean Najarian, Rex Lott, Carol Ott, Roger Sommi, Chris Thomas, Matthew Fuller (Past President), Steve Saklad (Treasurer), Brenda Schimenti (Secretary), and Cindy Kirkwood (President). CPNP staffer Katie Sloan provides administrative support. We are all committed to serving the Foundation, as well as CPNP.
Thank you for your past and continued support!
