The excitement continues and builds

Abstract

In my letter last month, I described CPNP's current activities involving seeking provider recognition and reimbursement for pharmacists and the Board of Directors' Strategic Planning Retreat. Activity on both of these fronts made January an extremely busy month.In early January, the Comprehensive Medication Management Reimbursement (CMMR) Task Force met with ACCP representatives to discuss how we might partner with ACCP in their initiative to achieve provider recognition. It was a productive, positive meeting. Our discussions continue and we will be evaluating partnership options in the next few weeks. As many of you know other pharmacy organizations and other professional groups are generating a great deal of discussion on this topic. Opportunities for action seem to develop quickly. As a result, your CPNP leadership team may be needing to make decisions quickly, and, as we've mentioned previously, member input may be sought with little “lead time”.In late January, preceding our recent strategic planning retreat, our legislative leadership spent a full day discussing mechanisms of reimbursement for providers as well as strategies and approaches to the achievement of provider recognition. This meeting was facilitated by Dr. George Oestreich who has a great deal of experience in reimbursement and in working with pharmacy associations and foundations. Our Government Affairs Consultant, Carey Potter, also brought her insights and expertise to this meeting. All of this input is currently being digested and our next courses of action being considered.The CPNP strategic planning retreat occurred in late January. At this meeting, our facilitator, Past CPNP President Glen Stimmel, guided the group through the initial steps in revising our strategic plan to guide us through the next 3 years. A vision statement, values and goals were drafted. During the coming months, smaller workgroups will develop strategic objectives that will help the Board of Directors prioritize CPNP's activities and initiatives in fall of 2013. The primary goal areas to be fleshed out with objectives, metrics and timelines include: synergy with our constituencies; ensuring and maintaining the value of CPNP membership; identifying opportunities to enhance the care provided by pharmacists to people with mental illness; enhancement of information exchange by and within CPNP; and, identification of opportunities to develop, expand and capitalize upon our resources. We are very excited and enthusiastic about the development of this revised and updated Strategic Plan. We are fortunate to have a group of leaders and volunteers to work on the development of the objectives that will help us meet these goals. As always, it is members and their willingness to volunteer that make CPNP a successful organization.By now you should have received your brochure mailings for the upcoming 2013 Annual Meeting to be held at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This is shaping up to be a productive and exciting meeting. An interesting and valuable pre-meeting workshop is available on Sunday morning to attendees on the topic of suicide assessment. The Program Committee and the Recertification Editorial Board have developed an excellent line-up of topics and speakers. Over 140 posters are under review and opportunities for learning, networking, and socializing at the Annual Meeting will be plentiful. The CPNP Foundation has arranged for the screening of the award-winning documentary film about bipolar disorder, “Of Two Minds”. Discounted early registration fees will be available through March 20.Stay tuned of all of the activity occurring on so many fronts. We are proud to represent you as members on these important issues and hope to see you in April at the Annual Meeting as we continue our dialogue.