Farewell message from CSHP CEO

When I joined CSHP as its first non-pharmacist leader in December 2018, I quickly noticed how self-deprecating pharmacists can be. They often joked about being too meticulous, too risk-averse, too deep in the weeds. As a patient, that’s a comfort — pharmacy decisions are life and death, and those qualities save lives. 

But as CSHP’s CEO, I saw something quite different: colleagues who understood that leading the profession requires a different kind of courage than practicing it.
When I arrived, the Society already had a proud history and strong programs. But the world around us was changing. Membership associations across Canada were struggling. Non-profit business models were becoming more complex. The pharmaceutical industry was consolidating globally. The Board recognized that it wasn’t enough to steady ourselves — we had to set a new course. 

That course began with our first Strategy Toward Sustainability. The Board, Branches, and Affiliated Boards made the deliberate decision to reinvest our reserves in people and technology so CSHP could secure its future. Together, we grew membership again, balanced the budget, and modernized our systems and governance. That was not the work of the risk-averse. 

And it worked. With that foundation in place, we were able to look outward and upward in our current strategic plan, Shaping the Future of Healthcare-Systems Pharmacy. This plan is more ambitious: it defines our field, strengthens our advocacy, creates new professional communities, and — most boldly — changes our name to the Canadian Society of Healthcare-Systems Pharmacy. That change wasn’t just about words. It was a statement of who we are: pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, in all the diverse, inclusive and collaborative settings where healthcare happens, bringing our expertise to patient outcomes. 

Looking back, I see a Society that not only secured its sustainability, but also embraced a vision for the profession’s future under leadership that is thoughtful, strategic, and deeply committed. 

As I retire, I do so with immense gratitude. It has been the privilege of my career to witness this transformation and to walk this journey alongside our members, volunteers, partners, and staff. And I know that with the professionalism of our National Office team, and under the leadership of the next CEO, CSHP will continue to thrive. 

Contrary to the self-portrait we sometimes joke about, this Board has shown real boldness. And with that spirit, I know CSHP will move ever closer to our vision: that all people in Canada will receive the best pharmacy care — when, where, and how they need it — across our healthcare systems. 

With gratitude,
Jody