Board of Director Candidates

Betty Harris

Betty Harris

Biography Statement:

Betty J. Harris is Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice and APPE Coordinator at Husson University's School of Pharmacy in Bangor, Maine. Prior to joining the faculty at Husson, Dr. Harris was Assistant Dean of Experiential Education and Student Services at NSU College of Pharmacy from 2006 to 2011. She joined academia after an extensive career with both independent and corporate long-term care and specialty pharmacy care services. Prior to long term care, Dr. Harris practiced in community chain pharmacy and part-time in hospital settings. She is a graduate of the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (formerly Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science) and received her Pharm.D. from Nova Southeastern University.

Dr. Harris has a passion for pharmacy and has provided volunteer leadership service to pharmacy associations on the state and national level. Dr. Harris was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) by APhA from 2002 to 2008. She served as the 1998-99 Speaker of the APhA House of Delegates and as member of the APhA Board of Trustees from 1997 to 2002. Dr. Harris has also served on AACP and APhA policy committees. She is a past president, treasurer, speaker of the House for Delegates for the Florida Pharmacy Association (FPA). She has also served for several years as a trustee and president of the Florida Pharmacy Foundation. Having re-located to Maine, Dr. Harris is currently the Vice President of the Maine Pharmacy Association.

Candidate Statement:

The opportunity to serve your APhA Foundation would be a personal honor for me. As a longtime supporter of the Foundation, I have observed continuous growth and outreach in the support of pharmacy services for patients all over our country over many years. It would be my vision to reach many more pharmacist members who could benefit though the continued expansion and support of pharmacy services in their practices through Foundation support.  

Supporting practitioners and improving health care outreach to communities via improved pharmacist generated patient outcomes is something that I have and continue to actively support. To listen to you and to serve as a member of your foundation would be a commitment that supports my personal vision and goals for pharmacy patient care. Although my practice has been focused for many years at the geriatric skilled nursing environment, improving health and educating patients and staff on medication management and adherence translates to every area of pharmacy practice. I am passionate about what our Foundation can provide for the patients served by our pharmacists and student pharmacist members and believe the enthusiasm that I have seen within the Foundation leadership and staff is supporting pharmacy practice through program incentives, scholarships and recognition.  

Leading by example has supported many of the pharmacy practice successes supported by the Foundation.  I believe that I would offer the time, willingness to serve, and the passion necessary to work with current and future board members to achieve the strategic plans of the APhA Foundation.