Pharmacy Education 2025 - Speakers
Opening General Session
Setting the Stage
Meet Conference Headliner, Dr. Aaron E. Carroll
Join Dr. Aaron E. Carroll, President & CEO of AcademyHealth, for two powerful plenary sessions. As a renowned pediatrician, health services researcher, and science communicator, Dr. Carroll will explore the pharmacist’s role in translating research into practice, advocating for evidence-based policy, and navigating the challenges of science communication in an era of misinformation.
Opening General Session: From Research to Reality: Empowering Pharmacists in a Changing Landscape
As healthcare evolves, pharmacists play a crucial role in translating research into practice and shaping policy. In this talk, Dr. Aaron E. Carroll will explore the challenges of evidence-based decision-making, including threats to academic freedom, funding, and self-governance in research. He will highlight how pharmacists can navigate these complexities, advocate for innovation, and strengthen public trust through effective science communication. This session will provide actionable strategies to help pharmacists drive policy change, overcome obstacles, and ensure a future where evidence-based practice thrives.
Science Plenary: Beyond 'Follow the Science': Navigating the Complexities of Social Media in Science Communication
The rise of social media has transformed the way scientific information is communicated, often blurring the lines between evidence-based research and misinformation. In this session, Dr. Carroll will explore the challenges of science communication in today’s digital landscape. He will examine why “following the science” is not always straightforward, highlighting the complexities of data interpretation, the risks of cherry-picking evidence, and the impact of fear-based messaging. Using real-world examples, Dr. Carroll will discuss how public health debates, ranging from COVID-19 to vaccine hesitancy, have shaped trust in science. He will provide strategies to help pharmacists navigate misinformation, engage with diverse audiences, and reinforce evidence-based communication in an era of increasing polarization.
AACP President
Anandi V. Law, B.Pharm., M.S., Ph.D., FAACP, FAPhA
Dr. Anandi V. Law is Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration and Associate Dean for Assessment in the College of Pharmacy at Western University of Health Sciences.
Dr. Law, who joined WesternU in July 1999, earned her bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Mumbai, India and her Master of Science in Pharmaceutics and Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Administration degrees from The Ohio State University. Dr. Law formerly served as the College’s Pharmacy Practice and Administration Department Chair from 2007 to 2018. She has served on AACP’s Board of Directors as elected Chair of Council of Faculties from 2015 to 2018.
Dr. Law maintains an active research profile focused on practice and payment transformation, health outcomes measurement, and pharmacist roles in improving medication use outcomes. She has several grants, more than 80 peer-reviewed articles, >100 peer-reviewed abstracts and eight book chapters in her areas of interest and several invited talks across the globe. Dr. Law directs an ACCP peer-reviewed Health Outcomes Research fellowship, which has graduated nine fellows since 2003. She was recognized for her sustained and significant research contributions by her University’s Provost’s Distinguished Scholar Award in 2022; and by APhA with a Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences Award in 2023.
Dr. Law’s teaching includes a Health Systems module, a course in Practice Management, a four-year longitudinal leadership curriculum, and a Stress Management elective involving Meditation, Mindfulness and Yoga. She also runs a telehealth center for the College in a value-based model. In addition to being active in AACP, APhA, ISPOR and CPhA, Dr. Law serves on 2 Editorial Advisory Boards and as an Associate Editor for RSAP. Dr. Law belongs to Rho Chi and Phi Lambda Sigma, was named fellow of APhA in 2013 and is a graduate of ALFP 2010. She is also actively engaged with her local community and heads an NGO focused on improving quality of life for senior citizens.
AACP President-Elect
Robin Zavod, Ph.D., FAPhA
Dr. Robin M. Zavod is a Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Midwestern University’s College of Pharmacy in Downers Grove, IL. With a strong foundation in medicinal chemistry, Dr. Zavod has dedicated just over three decades to the advancement of pharmacy education and scholarly publishing.
Dr. Zavod’s academic journey began with a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Kansas, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Indiana University. Since joining Midwestern University in 1994, Dr. Zavod has developed and taught a wide range of courses, including the medicinal chemistry of agents to treat diseases within the cardiovascular and endocrine systems. Known for fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment, Dr. Zavod has also designed elective courses on Mental Health First Aid, LGBTQI+ Considerations in the Provision of Healthcare, Healing Therapies, and Cannabis for Healthcare Professionals.
An influential leader in academic scholarship, Dr. Zavod has presented at national conferences, including multiple sessions at the AACP Annual Meetings and Rx Writing Challenge webinars. These presentations focus on educational scholarship and academic writing in pharmacy education. Dr. Zavod's professional contributions extend to peer review, as well as the founding editor-in-chief of Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning and Associate Editor of the Journal of Pharmacy Teaching and AAPS Open. Additionally, Dr. Zavod has been an active member of the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education’s Board of Grants, where they review and contribute to funding decisions supporting the next generation of pharmacy researchers. Dr. Zavod has co-authored several books with colleague Dr. Marc Harold and has contributed several book chapters for many editions of Foye’s Principles of Medicinal Chemistry. Her research interests include student self-efficacy, as well as learning and retention strategies.
Dr. Zavod has received several awards for teaching excellence and the Outstanding Faculty of the Year Award. Dr. Zavod is also a Fellow of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA-APRS) and has provided leadership on multiple levels at several professional organizations including AACP, APhA, AAPS, and ACS.
As an advocate for mental health awareness and inclusive education, Dr. Zavod is certified in Mental Health First Aid and Safe Zone workshops. She has been a passionate mentor for students, guiding them through academic rotations and supporting their development in both clinical practice and scholarly pursuits.
Dr. Zavod's commitment to the advancement of pharmacy education, leadership, and advocacy for diversity and inclusion has made a profound impact on students, faculty, and the broader pharmacy community.