OPA New Member Info and Engagement

Welcome to the Ohio Pharmacists Association

Your membership is proof that you care about the future of your profession and that you want to help make a difference. We encourage you to get involved in the many activities that OPA has to offer, including attending trainings, meetings, and conferences, contributing to advocacy efforts, and becoming engaged as an OPA Committee member. Learn about our Committees below and at ohiopharmacists.org/Committees.

Welcome to OPA! We look forward to engaging with you as we continue to shape the profession of pharmacy. This page was made to be a helpful "one-stop shop" for all things member-engagement at OPA.

OPA Yearly and Upcoming Events

Student Pharmacist Legislative Day – 2/17/26
OPA Annual Conference – 4/9/26 to 4/11/26
340B Conference – 8/24/26 to 8/25/26

Midyear Meeting – Early fall 2026

Pharmacist Legislative Day – Fall 2027

Throughout the Year:
- Long-Acting Injectable Training
- Provider Status Series
- Immunization Training (Pharmacists and Technicians)
- MTM Services Certification
- Patient-Centered Diabetes Training Program

For more info, OPA's Calendar or at ohiopharmacists.org/calendar.

Committee, SIGs, and Workgroups Information

Being involved within one of our Committees, Special Interest Groups (SIGs), or Workgroups is a wonderful way to serve the profession, aid the organization in our planning and programming, and connect with pharmacists across the state! Read below for information about each of our committees, and how to join!

Communications
- Chair: Megan Hull
  Co-Chair: Olivia Kinney
- Duties of the Committee: This committee enhances member connection and promotes the role of pharmacists, technicians, and the Association by delivering strategic messaging to members, external stakeholders, and the general public.

Finance and Planning
- Chair: Nick Newman
  Co-Chair: Jen Rodis
- Duties of the Committee: This committee oversees and provides recommendations on the finances and strategic plan/annual goals for the Association. It is comprised of the Executive Committee and one other active member of the Association appointed by the President with the President-Elect serving as the Chair and the Immediate Past President as the Co-Chair.

Legal and Regulatory
- Chair: E. Michael Murphy
  Co-Chair: Brittany Bates
- Duties of the Committee: This committee guides the development and implementation of advocacy strategies for the Association and reviews and advises legislative action and support or opposition to proposed legislation, rules, or regulations impacting the practice of pharmacy. Special duties shall include soliciting the Association’s nominations for vacancies on the Board of Pharmacy and recommending a list of not more than five (5) names for each Board of Pharmacy appointment to the Board of Trustees for approval before being presented to the Office of the Governor.

Member Engagement and Experience
- Chair: Hope Hill
  Co-Chair: Jessica Hinson
- Duties of Committee: This committee promotes growth and engagement of membership within the Association. Special duties shall include soliciting nominations for Association awards and recommending recipients to the Board of Trustees for approval and presenting a slate of candidates for the elected offices of the Association in accordance with Article V of these Bylaws.

Practice Advancement and Innovation
- Chair: Ariel Williams
  Co-Chairs: Andrew Faiella and Jen Sabatino
- Duties of the Committee: This committee advances the pharmacy profession by driving, facilitating, and promoting innovation in pharmacist -provided care.

Resolution and Bylaws
- Chair: Brigid Groves
  Co-Chair: Stephen Garrison
- Duties of Committee: This committee reviews all proposed resolutions and proposed amendments to the Bylaws in addition to previously adopted resolutions and the current Bylaws and shall present a report to the House of Delegates at the Annual Meeting which outlines the committee’s recommendations.

New Practitioner Experience (NPX)
- Chair: Korie Payne
  Co-Chair: Regann Rutschilling
- Duties of Committee: This committee serves as a catalyst for the transition from student to pharmacist by providing new practitioners the opportunity to achieve personal and professional growth through leadership, advocacy, networking, and practice development opportunities. It is comprised of all Active members of the Association practicing seven (7) years or less from graduation with a Chair, Co-Chair and advisory team appointed by the President.
Technician Work Group
- Chair: Adrean Jones
  Co-Chair: Brooke Powell
- Purpose of Workgroup: To enhance technician involvement and advocate for the needs of pharmacy technicians by fostering connections within the Association, promoting education and professional growth, and advocating for the advancement of the pharmacy technician profession.

To join a Committee, SIG, or Workgroup visit OPA's "Committees, Special Interest Groups (SIGs), and Workgroups" page on our website or visit ohiopharmacists.org/committees. Committees typically meet virtually or in person 4-8 times a year.

OPA Officers and Board of Trustees

OPA Officers serve one-year terms beginning each Annual Conference. The Executive Committee Member-At-Large and Treasurer are appointed by the Board, and the Vice President is elected by the House of Delegates at the Annual Conference. President, President-Elect, and Immediate Past President roll over from their previous positions to their new ones, also at the Annual Conference, with the Vice President becoming President-Elect, the President-Elect becoming President, and the President becoming the Immediate Past President.

Officers

President: Dana Wilkerson, R.Ph., PharmD, MS, BCACP

President-Elect: Nicholas Newman, R.Ph., PharmD

Vice President: Jeff Steckman, R.Ph., PharmD

Executive Committee Member-At-Large: Courtney Myers, PharmD, BCGP

Treasurer: Larry Schieber, R.Ph.

Immediate Past President: Jennifer Lin Rodis, R.Ph., PharmD, FAPhA

District Trustees

Please see the list below for contacts for of our Trustees for OPA. Refer to our District Trustee map to see what district you fall in! Trustees serve two-year terms and are elected in the spring prior to the Annual Conference.

District 1: Jim Spicer, R.Ph., PharmD, MBA, FACHE spicerj@firelands.com

District 2: Marilee Clemons, R.Ph., PharmD marilee.clemons@utoledo.edu

District 3: Micah Sobota, R.Ph., PharmD, BCGP, FASCP micahsobota@hotmail.com

District 4: Lauren Simpkins, R.Ph., PharmD lauren.cooley90@gmail.com

District 5: Nathanael Smith, R.Ph., PharmD, BCPS nathanaeljsmith@cedarville.edu

District 6: Sarah Priestle, R.Ph., PharmD Sarahpriestle@gmail.com

District 7: Jason Bester, R.Ph., PharmD jason.bester@stores.kroger.com

District 8: Michelle Magyer, R.Ph., PharmD michelle.magyer@stores.kroger.com

District 9: Julie Cymbola, R.Ph., PharmD julie.cymbola@gmail.com

District 10: Hope Hill, R.Ph., PharmD hope.hill@kroger.com

District 11: Magdi Awad, MSA, PharmD mawad@neomed.edu

District 12: Zak Fettman, R.Ph., PharmD zakfettman@yahoo.com

District 13: Colin Ecker, R.Ph., PharmD, MBA Colin.Ecker@gmail.com

District 14: Chris Paxos, PharmD, BCPP, BCPS, BCGP cpaxos@neomed.edu

District Map

House of Delegates

The House of Delegates (HOD) serves as the policy-making body of the Association. The HOD formally convenes at the Annual Conference to make decisions for the future of pharmacy practice in Ohio through the Resolutions and Bylaws processes. Pharmacist members are welcome to serve as a Delegate and represent their district in this important member-driven governance of OPA.

Learn about OPA's Bylaws here or at ohiopharmacists.org/bylaws, and learn about OPA's Resolutions here or at ohiopharmacists.org/resolutions.

Continuing Education

Ohio Pharmacists Association is ACPE-accredited and offers top-quality continuing education services activities. Check out the Ohio Pharmacist magazine and our website for continuing education opportunities, in addition to our live and on-demand programming available at our conferences. Learn more about our CE offers at ohiopharmacists.org/education.