Building a HBCU/PBI Pharmacy Collaborative as an Approach to Sharing Successful Practices and Resources.

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Academic Pharmacy
• Higher Education Policy

Background:

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) are crucial minority-serving institutions. They aim to increase access to higher education for African Americans and address health and educational disparities.
• Despite shared missions, HBCUs and PBIs encounter similar challenges, including funding constraints and evolving accreditation standards.

Purpose of the Study:

• Establish the HBCU/PBI Pharmacy Collaborative to create a formal network for shared learning, faculty advancement, and student achievement.
• Address the unique needs of students, faculty, and programs within HBCU/PBI pharmacy schools through collaborative efforts.

Main Methods:

• Utilize social learning theory and the Community of Practice model to guide the Collaborative's operations.
• Leverage mentorship, resource sharing, and strategic partnerships to drive institutional growth and innovation.
• Implement professional development workshops, licensure preparation programs, and networking events.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated success in strengthening faculty capacity and enhancing student performance through collaborative initiatives.
• Established a robust framework to meet the diverse needs of HBCU/PBI pharmacy schools.
• Facilitated measurable improvements in faculty expertise and student outcomes.

Conclusions:

• The HBCU/PBI Pharmacy Collaborative offers a scalable model for institutional collaboration in academic pharmacy.
• Future directions include fostering partnerships with other groups, promoting joint programming, and advancing context-aware education.
• The Collaborative has the potential to inspire broader partnerships and achieve transformative outcomes in pharmacy education.