ATLANTA – Mercer University College of Pharmacy alumni John T. Sherrer, BSPHM '77, and Sharon Clackum, Pharm.D. '81, have recently assumed leadership roles in two national pharmacy organizations.
Sherrer, who is co-owner of Kenmar Pharmacy and Poole's Pharmacy in Marietta, was named president of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA). He is a partner in several other Georgia pharmacies and also owns First Aid of America, an industrial first aid and safety supply company.
NCPA, founded in 1898, represents America's community pharmacists, including the owners of more than 23,000 pharmacies.
“NCPA is fortunate to have a fine president in John Sherrer,” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey, R.Ph, MBA. “His commitment to and advocacy for independent community pharmacies and their ability to help patients is second to none. He understands the critical role local pharmacists play in America's health care system and both the opportunities and challenges facing these trusted health care professionals.”
“John Sherrer has served NCPA for many years with distinction, and I am quite pleased that he is serving as its president,” said H.W. “Ted” Matthews, Ph.D., dean of the College of Pharmacy and senior vice president for health sciences at Mercer.
Clackum was named president of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacist (ASCP) for the 2014-2015 term. She was elected in 2013 and served as president-elect for the past year.
The ASCP is the only international professional society devoted to optimal medication management and improved health outcomes for all older persons.
Clackum said that the primary goals for her presidency are improving medication therapy for older adults, increasing public awareness of the services ASCP provides and getting pharmacists recognized by Medicare as health professionals who need to be paid.
“We are very proud of Dr. Clackum serving as president of such a prestigious pharmacy organization and wish her well in this role,” said Matthews.
About the College of Pharmacy
Mercer University's College of Pharmacy is ranked No. 4 among pharmacy programs at private institutions in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report. The College offers doctoral degrees in pharmacy (Pharm.D.) and pharmaceutical sciences (Ph.D.). Founded in 1903 as the independent Southern School of Pharmacy, the school merged with Mercer University in 1959 and in 1981 became the first school in the Southeast to offer the Doctor of Pharmacy degree as its sole professional degree. In 1988, the College launched its graduate program, offering the Ph.D. degree in pharmaceutical sciences. The College is one of four health sciences units within the Mercer Health Sciences Center. With an enrollment today of more than 650 students and a distinguished faculty of basic scientists and clinicians, the College of Pharmacy houses seven centers focusing on research, teaching and learning. The College's motto, “A Tradition of Excellence – A Legacy of Caring,” frames its philosophy of providing excellent academic programs in an environment where every student matters and every person counts. For more information about the College, call (678) 547-6244 or visit http://pharmacy.mercer.edu.
