#United States #Washington #APhA Foundation #Pharmacy Innovations #Incentive Grants

APhA Foundation Announces the 2025-2026 Incentive Grant Recipients

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Foundation has proudly revealed the recipients of its Incentive Grants for the 2025-2026 cycle, aiming to bolster innovation in pharmaceutical care. In a commendable effort, the foundation has awarded grants to 49 pharmacists and pharmacy students nationwide, providing each with $1,000 in seed funding intended to initiate or enhance innovative patient care services within their pharmacy practices.

A Longstanding Tradition of Support

Since its inception, the APhA Foundation’s Practitioner Innovation in Pharmaceutical Care Grants program—the most established of its kind—has received immense backing from partners such as the Community Pharmacy Foundation. This year, the foundation celebrated a significant milestone, having supported over 800 pharmacy-based projects that have remarkably improved health outcomes for countless patients across the country.

This year's focus areas encompass a range of pressing health issues, including medication safety, maternal health, diabetes management, innovative payment models, cardiovascular care, and much more. The APhA Foundation views these grants as essential not only for actuation of community pharmacist-led innovations but also for the empowerment of students and entry-level practitioners to advance healthcare delivery.

Empowering Pharmacists and Students

“The APhA Foundation is proud to provide grant funding that empowers pharmacists and students to implement or enhance innovative patient care services,” stated Benjamin Bluml, the executive director of the APhA Foundation. He expressed gratitude for the ongoing collaboration and support from the Community Pharmacy Foundation and other partners who make such initiatives possible.

The selected recipients represent a diverse array of pharmacy practice sites and aim to address important health needs through their proposed projects:

• - Alyssa Wozniak from D'Youville University aims to implement a rapid vaccine screening tool in Buffalo, NY, targeting gaps in adult immunization.
• - Kevin Aloysius of Legacy Community Health in Houston will focus on enhancing herpes zoster vaccination rates for individuals living with HIV.
• - Sarah Abib of Albertsons Companies seeks to assess pharmacist comfort levels in administering long-acting injectable medications for opioid use disorder in Fullerton, CA.
• - Yara Albair from Albertsons/Jewel Osco is investigating patient characteristics that influence service utilization for pharmacist-provided test-and-treat services.
• - Angelica Aleksanyan from USC Mann School of Pharmacy will evaluate a vaping cessation intervention focused on pharmacist involvement in Los Angeles, CA.

These grant recipients illustrate just a fraction of the innovative pathways pharmacists are exploring to enhance patient care, reflecting the importance of their role in the healthcare system.

A Future Focused on Innovation

With evolving healthcare challenges, such as the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of pharmacists has never been more crucial. Initiatives like the APhA Foundation’s Incentive Grants serve as vital catalysts for change by allowing pharmacists to harness their skills in new ways that meet the needs of diverse populations.

As the list of recipients showcases, individuals from various backgrounds and experiences are contributing to a reimagined vision of pharmacy practice, one that prioritizes accessibility and efficacy of care.

In conclusion, the APhA Foundation’s ongoing support for innovative projects in pharmaceutical care stands as a testament to the commitment towards improving patient outcomes and recognizing the invaluable contributions of pharmacists and pharmacy students alike. The foundation looks forward to witnessing the positive impacts of these funded projects in the communities they serve.

Conclusion

As we celebrate these advancements in pharmacy practice, we remain committed to following the developments of these projects and exploring further opportunities that enhance community health outcomes. The journey of innovation continues as the APhA Foundation supports practitioners who are dedicated to shaping the future of pharmacy care across the nation.