AACP Announces Winners of Inaugural Unite for Impact Challenge Advancing Community Pharmacy Innovation

Advocacy Category Winner

Ohio Northern University Raabe College of Pharmacy

Bridging Policy and Practice: Engaging Legislators on PBM Reform with Real-World Pharmacy Data 

When policymakers don't fully understand how pharmacy benefit managers affect real patients and real pharmacies, the consequences are felt in communities across the country. Ohio Northern University Raabe College of Pharmacy decided to close that gap directly, by bringing state legislators onto campus for a roundtable built around real claims data and real stories.  Six Ohio state representatives, legislative aides, and a U.S. Senate staffer heard firsthand from faculty, pharmacy staff, and student pharmacists about how PBM reimbursement practices are impacting medication access and community pharmacies’ financial viability. The conversation didn’t just influence representatives, however since the roundtable, more than 50 students have attended Ohio's state student legislative day, and five traveled to Washington, D.C. to keep advocating for patients and the profession.

Impact Statement

“The legislative roundtable hosted by the Ohio Northern University Raabe College of Pharmacy delivered a critical, data-driven impact on the future of community pharmacy by directly informing state policymakers on the urgent need for Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reform. The project centered on sharing proprietary internal pharmacy claims data, coupled with vivid real-world context from practitioners and student pharmacists, to definitively demonstrate how current PBM reimbursement practices directly undermine medication access, patient care, and the financial sustainability of pharmacies in Ohio. This initiative established a powerful and transparent connection between legislative decision-makers and the on-the-ground reality of pharmacy practice, which is essential for building a foundation of informed policy decisions.  Beyond immediate policy dialogue, this project generated dual, lasting impacts: institutionally and professionally. It significantly strengthened the college's relationship with state legislators, positioning the institution as a trusted, evidence-based voice in healthcare policy. Furthermore, it served as a high-impact advocacy training ground, preparing student pharmacists to confidently engage in the policy process and shape the future of their profession. These conversations are now the foundation for informed policy decisions designed to support patients, fortify pharmacists' roles, and ensure the long-term vitality of community pharmacy.”

Culture Category Winner

Belmont University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Transforming Community Pharmacy Culture: An Academic-Practice Pipeline Partnership

Many student pharmacists can enter their training with misconceptions that one type of practice setting is “lesser” than another. Belmont University School of Pharmacy and Walgreens set out to change that from directly in the classroom.  Through a first-of-its-kind shared faculty model, an actively practicing Walgreens pharmacy leader joined the Belmont campus one day each week, weaving the real world of community pharmacy into all four years of training, from clinical case simulations to hands-on advocacy.  That last part recently showed up in a big way: 54 second-year students participated in the Tennessee Pharmacists Association’s Pharmacy Day on the Hill as part of the curriculum, contributing to the largest single-institution turnout in the association's history. Early results from the overall initiative are also promising: 74% of first-year students felt confident they could succeed in community pharmacy, 20 students requested internship or job information, and 3 have already been hired into Walgreens' internship program.

Impact Statement

“This project matters because it addresses a major threat to the future of community pharmacy: the gap between what community pharmacy truly requires and how it is often perceived by students and faculty. At Belmont University School of Pharmacy, the BUSOP–Walgreens Community Practice Shared Faculty initiative was created to challenge the belief that community practice is a lesser setting and instead show that it requires strong clinical judgment, leadership, operational decision-making, patient communication, and advocacy. By embedding an actively practicing community pharmacy leader into the academic environment, the project provides students with repeated, authentic exposure to the realities and opportunities of modern community practice. This helps reshape professional identity early and strengthens the workforce pipeline. The project also matters because it offers a sustainable model for how schools and employers can work together to support the profession. Rather than relying on isolated exposure, BUSOP built a longitudinal approach that connects classroom learning, mentorship, advocacy, experiential education, and recruitment across all four professional years. Early outcomes already show increased student engagement, requests for internship and job information, and stronger understanding of community pharmacy’s clinical and professional scope. At a time when workforce sustainability and access to pharmacist-led care are critical concerns, this initiative helps ensure that community pharmacy is actively cultivated as a rigorous, patient-centered, and leadership-driven career path for the next generation.”

Practice Category Winner

The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy and Kroger Health

Utilizing Pharmacy Students in a Value-Based Care Model

What if student pharmacists could start making a real difference in patients' lives before they were even graduated? That's exactly what's happening through a partnership between The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy and Kroger Health. Through a telepharmacy rotation, second-year Pharm.D. students are connecting with patients across the country: helping them stay on track with their medications, navigate barriers to care, and manage chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.  From July through December 2025, 89 student pharmacists logged more than 2,100 hours of patient care, and over 90% of the patients they reached accepted meaningful support. Many of those patients live in communities with limited access to healthcare resources, making this work all the more critical.

Impact Statement

“The Kroger Health Connect (KHC) OSU IPPE gives student pharmacists the opportunity to apply foundational patient-case skills early in their education. Through real-time motivational interviewing, direct patient conversations, and structured feedback from experienced telepharmacy clinicians, students develop confidence and competence in communication, adherence counseling, and clinical problem-solving. 

From July through December 2025, 89 students completed more than 2,100 experiential hours interacting with patients through outreach encounters. Their work made a meaningful impact; over 90% of patients accepted meaningful support related to their medication adherence. These interventions have reduced barriers to care and contributed to improved medication adherence across Kroger’s national footprint. 

Preceptors consistently noted student growth in communication, professionalism, and rapport-building, while students praised the supportive, judgement-free environment created by their preceptors. This model allows students to practice motivational interviewing iteratively, positioning them to be confident in future patient interactions. 

This collaboration demonstrates what is possible when academia and practice enterprises unite to promote value-based community care. The KHC/OSU IPPE showcases a scalable and sustainable model that meaningfully enhances student learning while advancing community health, helping people to live healthier lives with pharmacy-driven impact at scale.”

Grand Overall Winner

University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy

Faculty Immersion in Contemporary Community Pharmacy Practice to Transform Curriculum and Advance Workforce Readiness

Pharmacy is changing fast, and pharmacy education needs to keep up. The University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy tackled that challenge head-on with their "Phield Trip" initiative, sending faculty out into community pharmacies across New Mexico, from independent rural shops to specialty and compounding sites, to see firsthand what today's practice actually looks like. What they found shaped immediate, concrete changes to the curriculum: Students will now receive required training in pharmacist credentialing, medical billing, and documentation before they ever step into an advanced practice experience—skills that are increasingly essential as pharmacists expand into new clinical roles.  When fully implemented, those changes will reach all 320 enrolled Pharm.D. students annually, better preparing graduates to deliver and sustain patient care in the communities that need it most.

Impact Statement

“This project directly addresses one of the most pressing challenges in community pharmacy: aligning pharmacy education with the rapidly evolving realities of practice. As pharmacists expand into roles that include delivering and sustaining billable clinical services, success increasingly depends not only on clinical knowledge, but also on the ability to navigate workflow, manage complex patient interactions, and operationalize care through credentialing, documentation, and medical billing. By immersing faculty in real-world practice environments and translating those insights into immediate curricular change, this initiative ensures that graduates are not only clinically competent, but fully prepared to function—and lead—in modern, service-based community pharmacy models. Beyond curriculum, this work establishes a scalable model for bridging the persistent gap between academia and practice. By integrating practitioner expertise, student voice, and faculty development into a continuous improvement process, the project strengthens the pipeline of practice-ready pharmacists equipped to expand access to care, particularly in underserved and rural communities. Ultimately, this initiative advances the sustainability of community pharmacy by preparing graduates who can deliver, document, and be reimbursed for patient care services—positioning pharmacists as essential, accessible providers in the future healthcare system.”

Honorable Mentions:

• Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Worcester/Manchester—Expanding Certified Pharmacy Technician Administered Vaccines in New Hampshire
• The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy—Country Roads and Urban Streets: Developing a Service-learning Elective Focused on Social Drivers of Health
• Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Colonial Family Pharmacy #2, BUILD, Greater Erie Community Action Committee, Erie County Immunization Coalition—Elevating Interdisciplinary Age-Friendly Person-Centered Care Excellence