By Lama Hsaiky, PharmD, BCPS; SMSHP President-Elect; May. 2025

Southeastern Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists (SMSHP) had a strong finish to 2024!  I had the honor of being installed as the incoming president-elect for 2025 with the rest of the new board members during our annual Awards Banquet in November 2024.

Kim Moon, PharmD (left); Jennifer Priziola, PharmD, BCPS MBA (center); Jeff Hurren, PharmD (center); Lama Hsaiky, PharmD, BCPS (right) were installed as society’s newly elected executive board members during the annual Awards Banquet on November 13^th, 2024. 

Congratulation to our winners: The Annual Awards Banquet in November 2024 was filled with excitement! We got to celebrate our exemplary members and their wonderful achievements. Our award winners for 2024 were Jodie Robb (technician of the year), Wolfegang Moorhouse (preceptor of the year), Nisha Patel (pharmacist of the year), Petar Puskar (committee service), Ericka Ridgeway (innovative practice), Daniel Everhart and Yasmin Nasser (exemplary student scholarship), Sarah Channey (student research), and Paige Hanke (Resident of the year).  

The newly inducted SMSHP board had a successful and productive leadership and planning retreat in December. In 2025, the society’s main priorities are to maintain their focus on increasing membership by 10%, expand membership engagement and launch the hybrid continuing education (CE) programs. The first successful hybrid CE program was implemented in February 2025. Furthermore, we heard our valuable member's feedback in 2024 to guide us on determining the best benefits that members are interested in. Some of the member benefits in 2025 would include: an annual publication focusing on society updates, E-board updates, member spotlight and improving the feasibility of the society website to share information with members. In addition to the annual golf outing, the membership committee will offer a mentor/mentee program in Spring 2025 and a membership mixer in August 2025. Lastly, the board is focusing on increasing visibility using our online and social media presence.  

We’ve had a strong start to our CE programming this year. On January 8^th, ninety members attended a live CE delivered by Abigail Geyer, PharmD, BCIDP, on “Managing Drug-Resistant Gram-Negative Infections: Best Practices and Treatment Strategies” at the Italian American Banquet and Conference Center in Livonia. Due to the severe weather advisory in February, the board voted to convert the CE to a full virtual platform to ensure our speaker and members stay safe. A total of 78 members attended the virtual CE, by Lydia L. Benitez, PharmD, BCOP “Oncology Updates in Malignant Hematology”. This was a great win for the 2025 goals of offering virtual CEs. On March 12^th, members attended the CE by Dr. Hannah Ferrari, PharmD, BCACP on "Beyond Statins: Pharmacologic Innovations in Lipid Management." Most recently, on May 14th, we were pleased to host a CE by Dr. James Shen, PharmD, BCIDP on "The Rise of the Pharm-AI-cist: Can Artificial Intelligence Replace Us?"

Abigail Geyer, PharmD, BCIDP, delivered a CE on “Managing Drug-Resistant Gram-Negative Infections: Best Practices and Treatment Strategies” on January 8^th, 2025, at the Italian American Banquet and Conference Center in Livonia.  

Legislative Highlights

By Jessica Jones, PharmD, BCCCP; Immediate Past President

The Michigan Pharmacist’s Association (MPA) held their Annual Convention & Exposition (ACE) April 11-13 at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Traverse City. The MPA House of Delegates (HOD) met to discuss proposed policy changes and review the MPA Bylaws. The MPA HOD is the policy-forming body of the association, and it is the responsibility of the House to interpret the objectives of the Association as stated in the Bylaws. MPA representatives use the House policies to advocate for advancement of the profession of pharmacy with the Michigan state legislature.

As a large regional pharmacy organization, SMSHP holds 4 voting seats in the House session. This year, your delegates were: Jessica Jones, Farzad Daneshvar, Denise Propes, and Jennifer Priziola. Additionally, we are proud of our very own SMSHP member and former webmaster, Dmitriy Martirosov, who served his first year as the Speaker of the House. Well done, Dmitriy!

Denise Propes, CPhT (center); Jennifer Priziola, PharmD, BCPS, MBA (center); Jessica Jones., PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP (center); Farzad Daneshvar, PharmD, BCCP, BCACP (right) attended the MPA Annual House of Delegates on April 13, 2025.

Resolutions that were discussed during the 2025 House session included:

 (outcome of HOD vote noted in italics)

• Local Association Support of Michigan Pharmacy Foundation - referred to Local Association Development Committee for House Rule change
• Providing Complimentary Pharmacy Law Updates to LARA-BPL Inspectors - carried
• Advocating for Consistent Provision of Language Services in Community Pharmacies - failed
• Establishing a Standard of Care Regulatory Model for Pharmacists - carried
• Statutory Pathways for Pharmacists to be Eligible for Reimbursement - carried
• Administration of DMPA by certified immunizing pharmacy personnel - withdrawn by author
• Promulgation of PrEP/PEP Education to Support HIV Prevention - carried
• Promote best practices: include weight on prescriptions for pediatric patients - carried

More information about the MPA House of Delegates can be found here. To propose policies and serve as a delegate, you must be an MPA member. If you are interested in learning more details about these specific resolutions or interested in getting involved in advocacy at the state or national level, please contact Jessica Jones. Additionally, local and regional organization representatives are collaborating to bring more real-time legislative and advocacy information to our members - stay tuned!

I hope you all have a great summer and see you back in September!

2025 Membership Mixer

Join Us for a Networking Event and Learn About SMSHP!

We’re excited to invite you to a special networking event hosted by the Southeastern Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists (SMSHP)! This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with local pharmacy professionals, enjoy a relaxed evening with drinks and appetizers, and discover the many benefits of joining SMSHP.

Event Details:

• What: Networking Event for pharmacists, students, residents and technicians

• Where: 24 Seconds Bar & Grill

• When: August 22nd at 6 pm

• Perks: 

• • One free drink ticket for all attendees.
  • Raffle tickets will be given to members for a chance to win a free one-year SMSHP membership and other small prizes. One raffle ticket will be awarded for each potential new member (pharmacy professional, pharmacist, technician, student, or resident) brought to the event.

• June 14 - Technician Seminar at Hellenic Cultural Center
• September 10 – ASHP President-Elect Melanie Dodd, PharmD, PhC, BCPS, FASHP at Habib's Cuisine
• October 8 – Residency Showcase and Reverse Exhibition at the Vista Tech Center
• November 12 – Pharmacy Law CE by Lindsey Kelley, PharmD, MS at the Italian American Banquet Center

Member Spotlights

Farzad Daneshvar 

                   

SMSHP President 2024 – 2025  

Advanced Pharmacy Practice Provider, Henry Ford Health 

Describe your day-to-day role? 

“I practice in a primary care setting and manage patients with cardiometabolic comorbid conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, chronic heart failure, obesity, asthma/COPD, and stable coronary disease. I am able to practice at the top of my education and license. I also focus on population health initiatives.”  

What value do you find in your SMSHP membership? 

“Access to high-quality continued education programs, ability to network with colleagues, ability to showcase residency programs in southeast MI, and professional development opportunities.” 

 

Has SMSHP helped you achieve any goals? 

“Yes, I have positively benefited from professional development and leadership opportunities that became available via SMSHP.” 

 

Recent personal accomplishment:  

“I have been invited by ASHP to attend their annual summer meeting and officially present the recipient of 2025 Harvey A.K. Whitney Lecture Award. In addition, as the current president of SMSHP, I am delighted for being able to achieve one of our main societal goals at SMSHP to provide hybrid CE programs to our members for improved access and convenience.” 

 

SMSHP Member for:  

“8 years.” 

Richard Valone

                   

SMSHP Board Member 2024 – 2025 

Clinical Pharmacist Specialist – Cardiology, Trinity Health Oakland  

  

Describe your day-to-day role? 

“I round with a Cardiology team (Cardiology Fellow and APP) and precept PGY1 and PGY2 Pharmacy residents. I also precept on PGY1 Pharmacy Resident MUE, research, formulary review, and CE. I am the LAPP coordinator for Wayne State University P4 pharmacy students (we take four), oversee inpatient investigational medications, and am responsible for medications for Cardiology, Cath Lab, and Non-Invasive Cardiology. My role also includes being Secretary of the Anticoagulation Committee, as well as Member of the Serious Safety Event Committee and Member of the Cardiology Business and Cardiology Integration Committees.” 

What value do you find in your SMSHP membership? 

“I find value in connecting with pharmacists from other healthcare settings and gaining further knowledge of pharmacy practice. Lastly, maintaining friendships.” 

What goals has SMSHP helped you achieve? 

“The organization has helped with further developing leadership skills.” 

Recent personal accomplishment:  

“I’m the grandfather to an adorable granddaughter, now 2 &1/2 years old.”  

SMSHP Member for:  

“20 years!”