Outcomes of a "virtual think tank" to establish collaborative leadership initiative plans ("CLIPs").

Goal: The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Leadership Development Special Interest Group (LD SIG) held a one-hour "Virtual Think Tank" (VTT) interactive session in 2020 for pharmacy educators interested in leadership development. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative outcomes of this VTT.

Methods: VTT attendees worked together in small groups created based on pre-selected common interest areas related to leadership development to create collaborative leadership initiative plans (CLIPs), which were ideas for new collaborative scholarly or programmatic initiatives.

Virtual Social Networking Hours: A Vital Personal and Professional Avenue for Connecting Pharmacy Leadership Educators.

The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Leadership Development Special Interest Group (LD SIG) created a Virtual Social Networking Hour (VSNH). The VSNH explored pharmacy leadership educators' connections through discussing topics of interest that influence current teaching and scholarship practices. The VSNH also served to connect members in the LD SIG through informal networking, which was vital during a time when in-person connection was heavily restricted due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

A Virtual "Think Tank" to Establish Collaborative Leadership Initiative Plans ("CLIPs").

The AACP Leadership Development Special Interest Group (LD SIG) held a one-hour Virtual Networking Session during the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) 2020 Annual Meeting. The purpose of the session was to connect attendees with colleagues from other institutions sharing similar interests related to leadership development through an engaging "Virtual Think Tank" (VTT). The VTT included facilitated collaboration which enabled small groups to develop "Collaborative Leadership Initiative Plans" (CLIPs) based on shared leadership interest areas.

Virtual Symposium Designed as an Innovative Approach to Disseminate Leadership Development Content.

The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Leadership Development Special Interest Group (LD SIG) embarked upon a one-week virtual symposium (VS) across three years. The purpose of the VS was to disseminate leadership content, case studies, and various topics of interest utilizing technology. This electronic format provided a new communication approach to facilitate content and discussion of leadership materials amongst faculty colleagues nationally.

Cultivating a Community of Practice through Podcasting.

While innovation in pharmacy education can be sparked through many avenues, the opportunity to learn and engage with others through practice communities is considered by many as a creative outlet for exchange and discovery. This commentary specifically describes a contemporary approach to promote such a dialogue globally through podcasting, which is a free and highly accessible medium for dissemination and exchange of innovative teaching practices. In 2018, two faculty from two colleges of pharmacy created a podcast titled Leadership Development in Pharmacy Education (LDPEcast), which provides a unique modality to stimulate discussion and disseminate ideas within the community of practice.

Systematic review of perioperative use of immunosuppressive agents in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

Background: Patients who qualify for bariatric surgery are increasingly experiencing co-morbid conditions, which often require management through the use of immunosuppressive agents, such as corticosteroids, tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors, or other immunomodulators, which may increase the risk of infection or wound healing complications. Perioperative management of these agents in bariatric surgery is challenging because of the lack of research in this patient population. With the use of immunosuppressive agents on the rise, the effects of these medications must be understood, both the risks posed in the perioperative period, and the benefit their sustained use may have for co-morbidity management.

FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation: Evaluating the Quality of the Evidence behind the Drug Approvals.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has created approval pathways and designations to accelerate access to medications indicated for serious or life-threatening conditions with limited treatment options. Implemented in 2012, the most recent of these is the breakthrough therapy designation (BTD). The purpose of this article was to review the evidence surrounding approval of medications with nononcology indications approved with the BTD designation from 2012 to 2016.