American Institute of the History of Pharmacy

Pharmacy in History vol. 61, no. 3 & 4 Published

AIHP is pleased to announce the publication of Pharmacy in History volume 61, numbers 3 & 4 (2019), a special issue focused on the future! This edition marks the second issue edited by AIHP Historical Director and Pharmacy in History Editor in Chief Lucas Richert.

The lead section contains three articles about the history of cannabis. Matthew DeCloedt writes about "Human Rights Litigation and the Medicalization of Cannabis in Canada" since 2000. Lucía Romero recounts the story of "Medical Cannabis in Argentina," and Michael Couchman's article, "Medicine, Moral Panic, and the International Context of Canadian Cannabis," explores the longer history of the world-wide war against marijuana. Prof. Natalie Schmitz of the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Pharmacy provides a "Pharmacists's Perspective" about these three historical articles.

The Special Future of the History of Pharmacy Section contains essays by 15 historians suggesting possible futures for the historical study of drugs, medicines, and pharmacy.

AIHP Vice President John Grabenstein Wins Remington Medal

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) announced on January 14 that AIHP Vice President John Grabenstein is the recipient of the 2020 Remington Honor Medal, the highest honor bestowed by APhA and the pharmacy profession’s highest recognition.

Dr. Grabenstein recently retired as Global Executive Director of Medical Affairs for Merck Vaccines. He was selected in recognition of his decades of excellence as a leader in promoting public health and wellness through immunization practice by pharmacists, as a pioneer in immersive leadership training, and for his contributions to military medicine.

Meet AIHP's New Treasurer: Professor Holly Mason

AIHP is delighted to welcome Holly Mason, PhD, to its Board of Directors as the Institute’s new Treasurer. Dr. Mason succeeds W. Clarke Ridgway, who resigned as Treasurer in November when he became the Institute’s President.

Dr. Mason is Professor of Pharmacy Administration in the College of Pharmacy at Purdue University. He previously served as Senior Associate Dean of the college from 1998-2018. He received his BS in Pharmacy and PhD in Social Sciences of Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy. During his graduate program, one of his two secondary areas of study was the history of pharmacy.

AIHP Accepting Applications for 2020 PhD Thesis Support Grants

AIHP is now accepting applications for 2020 PhD Thesis Support Grants. The deadline for receipt of applications is February 1, 2020. Doctoral candidates in the fields of the history of pharmacy, pharmaceuticals, and medicine are encouraged to apply for research support grants of up to $2,000.

The AIHP PhD Thesis Support Grant is intended to encourage academic research of pharmaco-historical topics by doctoral candidates and offers a grant-in-aid of up to $2,000 to support historical investigations of some aspect of pharmacy. Any dissertation or thesis project devoted to the history of pharmacy, history of drugs, or other humanistic study utilizing a pharmaco-historical approach, is eligible. Recipients of the grant must provide a report to AIHP about their research within one year after receiving the grant money. Grant recipients must also agree to submit a paper based on their thesis project or dissertation for consideration for publication in Pharmacy in History within two years of receiving the grant.

Ridgway Succeeds Zellmer as AIHP President

At its Annual Business Meeting on November 14, 2019, AIHP inaugurated W. Clarke Ridgway as its new President. Mr. Ridgway succeeds William A. Zellmer, who is retiring from AIHP’s Board of Directors after serving two three-year terms as AIHP’s President.

Mr. Ridgway is no stranger to AIHP. He has served as AIHP’s Treasurer since 2010, after previously serving in various positions on the AIHP Council, including President, dating back to 1992. 

A graduate of the West Virginia School of Pharmacy, Mr. Ridgway was the school’s assistant dean for student services at the time of his retirement in 2013. He held various other positions at the school, including externship coordinator and coordinator of the Pharmacy School’s Alumni Association. He also served as curator of the Cook Hayman Museum located within the pharmacy school. 

Three AIHP Members Honored at the ASHP Midyear Meeting

Three AIHP members, Albert Wertheimer, John Clark, and David Chen, received major distinguished service awards at the recent Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

Wertheimer received the ASHP Board of Directors Donald E. Francke Medal; Clark received the ASHP-ABHP Joint Leadership Award; and Chen received the 2019 CEO Award for Staff Excellence. 

AIHP applauds the exceptional work of these members! AIHP was represented at the Midyear Clinical Meeting by past president William Zellmer. ASHP is one of AIHP’s National Association Sponsors.

Please read more for additional information about the recipients and these prestigious awards.