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"One voice-one vision" for Wisconsin pharmacy
C A Johnson1, K E Smith, A N Peterson
1School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706, USA. caj@pharmacy.wisc.edu
Objective:
To describe how a new organization, reflecting a new vision and unifying the pharmacists of Wisconsin, was created by bringing together organizationally the resources and memberships of the Wisconsin Pharmacists Association and the Wisconsin Society of health-System Pharmacists.
Setting:
State of Wisconsin.
Description:
The boards of directors of the two precursor organizations initiated an exploration of the desirability and feasibility of creating a single, new organization to represent, with a unified voice, all of Wisconsin's pharmacists. This two-year effort resulted in the creation of the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin (PSW) on January 1, 1998.
Innovation:
The new organization builds on the strengths and resources of two pharmacy organizations that previously represented divergent views and practice settings. PSW offers a new vision and level of service to its members and to pharmacy students. It presents a single voice to patients, other health care providers, and governmental agencies.
Results:
The creation of the Society was supported unanimously by the two boards of directors and by 98% of the voting membership of the two previous organizations.
Conclusion:
Through a deliberate and extensive planning and organizational process, two vigorous professional organizations were able to recognize the importance of combining their resources into a new single organization. The pharmacists of Wisconsin responded to a call for a new vision and a unified voice. The opportunity exists for American pharmacy to examine how it will be best served by its professional organizations.