AACP

Laura Waite to Lead AACP House of Delegates as Newly Elected Speaker

Laura Waite gives a speech to the AACP House of Delegates during Pharmacy Education 2026.

AACP is pleased to announce that Laura Waite, Pharm.D., BCPS, CLS, has been elected to serve as Speaker of the House of Delegates (HOD), beginning July 2027. In her role as Speaker, she will serve as the presiding officer of the HOD, overseeing its operations and ensuring business is conducted fairly, efficiently, and in accordance with AACP governing documents and Robert's Rules of Order. 

Waite, the Linwood F. Tice Clinical Professor of Pharmacy Practice at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, School of Health Professions at Saint Joseph’s University, will serve a 3-year term as Speaker. During which her duties will include communicating with delegates, orienting new delegates, managing House procedures and debate, establishing report formats and presentation time limits, ruling on procedural matters, as well as serving on the Board of Directors and key committees.

"I am humbled and honored to serve the AACP membership as the next Speaker of the House," said Waite. 

"We have so much to look forward to as an organization, and I believe strongly in the crucial role of the House of Delegates and member voices in shaping our future."

Laura Waite at the podium at Pharmacy Education 2026.

The AACP House of Delegates meets annually at two sessions during the AACP Annual Meeting to conduct its business. An asynchronous Virtual House of Delegates Session may also be convened, typically in January or February. Delegates debate and approve statements of educational policy, approve changes to the Bylaws of the Association and the strategic plan, act to accept new institutional members and establish dues for all categories of membership. 

"AACP is thrilled to welcome Dr. Waite as its next Speaker of the House of Delegates,” said Lee Vermeulen, B.S.Pharm., M.S., FCCP, FFIP, Executive Vice President and CEO of AACP. "This is a critical leadership role that helps ensure every delegate has a voice and that the House operates with fairness, transparency, and purpose."

Waite is also the Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Admissions for the School of Health Professions and previously served as the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Admissions and the Director of Student Recruitment and Engagement for the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. Waite’s career has included clinical practice in inpatient family medicine, inpatient internal medicine, and outpatient infectious disease, as well as a role in pharmaceutical industry as a medical science liaison. She is currently the chair of the AACP Student Services Special Interest Group.

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