Fellows Program

What is the CSHP Fellows Program?

The Fellow program was initiated by CSHP over 40 years ago to distinguish members who, through their practice activities and contributions to CSHP and the profession, were worthy of a recognition that signified outstanding leadership, dedication and commitment to practice excellence and professional growth. By definition, the Fellow program rewards the long term, sustained efforts of candidates in the areas of service to the Society, to patient care, to education or research, and to the profession. Short term or episodic contributions to the field are insufficient evidence for recognition, nor is simply longevity of membership in the Society. The Fellow program has developed a rigorous, yet reasonable and achievable set of criteria by which candidates for Fellow status are assessed in a peer review process. While CSHP has other annual awards that celebrate the outstanding or meritorious accomplishments of one or two members, the Fellow program permits many candidates, who meet the criteria, to be conferred as Fellows each year. It is also important to accurately define our terms. CSHP oversees a Fellow status-conferring program, i.e. a ceremonial or honorific class of membership in the Society to those meeting defined criteria for the honor. It is not a "fellowship" which most typically refers to a post-graduate training program in a scientific or specialty field or a high value scholarship used to support such someone engaged in such post-grad training. While similar, the terms Fellow and fellowship are not synonymous or interchangeable.

Since its inception 40 years ago, Fellow status has been conferred to about 150 CSHP members. To apply for fellow status, candidates are required to complete an application form which documents the member's achievements in several key criteria areas and submit assessments from three external recommenders who can provide an independent validation of the applicant's contributions to the hospital pharmacy. If the Board of Fellows recommends fellow status be granted, these members are permitted to use the credential "FCSHP". The program conveys strong CSHP identity, fosters member retention, and represents a tangible member benefit to those whose career goals include sustained service to the profession and a high standard of patient care practice.