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Dr. Joan B. (Joni) Fowler, PharmD, BCPP, has been a tremendous supporter of the CPNP Foundation since its inception in 2011, when she joined as a Founding Circle member. Dr. Fowler is President and Owner of Creative Educational Concepts, Inc., and like so many others, she and her business have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We had a busy year of educational meetings planned for 2020. After following developments in China in January, we expected some disruption in the spring, but nothing like what we’ve seen. Live meetings make up 90% of what we do; we’ve been in the upside down since mid-March. 100% of our 2020 meetings have been converted from in person to virtual and many of our faculty have been under travel restrictions that now extend through 2020. We’ve been learning new technologies and trying to re-envision our business model, much like health care and most private businesses. In addition to meeting symposia, we’ve done small chapter meetings, multi-day research forums, and poster sessions via Zoom or related platforms. Every project takes 2-3x longer to develop. There’s much more time spent on the front end developing the educational design and workflow, as well as elevating videoconferencing skills for the faculty. We’ve not been bored!”

Admist all this upheaval, her passion for psychiatric pharmacy and mental health care has not waivered. “There will always be a need for caring and competent clinicians in the mental health space,” she said. “The post-COVID psyche of our society will need care for anxiety, PTSD, depression, and grief from the many things the pandemic has stolen from us.” When asked what advice she has for students, residents, and fellows who are pursuing psychiatric pharmacy, she said, “If you can envision a position that doesn’t exist, create one. You don’t have to stay on the traditional path. There are many in our group who have identified unconventional revenue streams and created jobs, even whole companies. You may feel uncomfortable at first, but you have a license and marketable skills to fall back on.”

As a long-time CPNP member, both CPNP and the CPNP Foundation have impacted her career greatly, even calling CPNP her tribe. “I joined CPNP when there weren’t many psychiatric specialists in my state,” said Fowler. “I wanted to be able to connect with others in the VA who were providing innovative services. I’ve always been an “If you can dream it, you can do it,” kind of girl. I just needed to find others to brainstorm better ways to provide care, educate my team, and elevate practice. CPNP became my clinical tribe.”

Dr. Fowler has a big vision for the CPNP Foundation, and she wants to leave a legacy for all psychiatric pharmacists that come behind her. “Specific initiatives may change, but trainees and early career psychiatric pharmacists can always benefit from the knowledge, wisdom, and resources of more senior members. We must give back,” she said.

The CPNP Foundation Board of Directors appreciates Dr. Fowler’s commitment to the next generation of psychiatric pharmacists and for her generosity to the Foundation.

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