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History

As the research and public education counterpart of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the APhA Foundation was established in 1953 to improve the quality of patient health outcomes through research, public education, issue forums, awards and recognition of pharmacy practice. The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) is the oldest and largest voluntary organization of pharmacists in the world, with more than 62,000 members from all branches of pharmacy practice. For more than 160 years, APhA has advocated and provided the means for pharmacists to complete the transformation of their profession from one focused on the drug product to a clinical service focused on the patient. 

Read more in "History of the APhA Foundation" by George Griffenhagen

Historical Highlights

APhA Foundation Presidents
1953-Present

2022-2024
Anjanette Wyatt
2020-2022
Steve Simenson
2018-2020
Ellie Vogt
2016-2018
Leonard Edloe
2014-2016
Ed Hamilton
2012-2014
Dan Luce
2010-2012
Dennis Helling
2008-2010
Cal Knowlton
2006-2008
Magaly Rodriguez de Bittner
2005-2006
Marvin L. Drystad
2004-2005
Hazel Pipken
2003-2004
Tery Baskin
2002-2003
Curt Barr
2000-2002
Brian J. Isetts
1990-2000
Jacob Willis Miller
1979-1990
Joseph E. McSoley
1976-1979
Lloyd McClain Parks
1970-1976
Merritt L. Skinner
1968-1970
Robert G. Gibbs
1966-1968
Rudolph H. Blythe
1964-1966
James Warren Lansdowne
1961-1964
Howard Chamberlain Newton
1959-1961
Henry Armitt Brown Dunning
1958-1959
Louis James Fischl, Jr.
1953-1958
Henry Armitt Brown Dunning

Great Moments in Pharmacy

About the Paintings

From the exhibit halls of the Smithsonian Institution, Denver Institute of Arts, New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, Oriental Institute of Chicago, and Hotel des Invalides in Paris, and now on permanent display in the Art Gallery of the APhA headquarters building, is the "Great Moments in Pharmacy" series, a collection of paintings depicting a comprehensive history of pharmacy by artist Robert Thom (1915-1979).

The collection totals 40 prints, all of which were completed in the early 1950s by the Michigan-born Thom, a graduate of the Institute of Fine Arts in Columbus, Ohio. A gift from Pfizer to the APhA Foundation in 2007, the collection depicts the impressive storyline of pharmacy and its impact on patient care. The first 16 paintings in the "Great Moments in Pharmacy" series pay tribute to the accomplishments of the apothecaries and their predecessors in Babylon, China, Egypt, Persia and Europe. The remaining 24 paintings are devoted to pharmacy in the Americas, especially in the English colonies and the United States, and include coverage of the history of the American Pharmacists Association.

Paintings Available for Sponsorship

Sponsored Paintings

Reproduction and distribution of  these images without permission by the sponsor is strictly prohibited.

For information about how to purchase and/or use copyright images email info@aphafoundation.org

APhA Foundation © 2024

APhA Foundation Library

The American Pharmacist Association (APhA) Foundation Library was created in 1934 at the inception of the original headquarters building. The APhA Foundation financially supports the operations of the the APhA Foundation Library on an annual basis.

 

The library serves the information needs of APhA and APhA Foundation staff, pharmacists, students, researchers, government agencies, reporters and consumers worldwide via a variety of journals and resources and encourages knowledge asset sharing. The library strives to provide access to resources promoting the pharmacy profession and innovative practices such as Medication Therapy Management Services. In 2009, as part of the renovation and expansion of APhA headquarters and through the generosity of Joseph D. Williams, the library was greatly enhanced and named in his honor.

About Joseph D. Williams

Joseph D. Williams, salesman and corporate executive, devoted a 46‐year career to Warner Lambert, manufacturer and marketer of pharmaceutical, consumer health care and confectionary products. The company ranked among the 100 largest industrial companies in the United States before it merged with Pfizer in 2001.

As president and CEO from 1979 to 1991, Williams eliminated non‐core business and product lines, increased annual revenues from 2 to 5 billion dollars, and brought scientific discovery from the laboratory to the marketplace, resulting in new products of much benefit to the world. Williams is the recipient of many awards and was recognized for fundraising by the United Negro College Fund and other organizations. In 1980, APhA awarded Williams the Remington Honor Medal for his enormous contributions to the pharmacy profession.

The Remington Honor Medal, named for eminent community pharmacist, manufacturer, and educator Joseph P. Remington (1847‐1918), was established in 1918 to recognize distinguished service on behalf of American pharmacy. In 2004, Williams was elected as the APhA Honorary President. Born in Washington, Pennsylvania, Williams earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska in 1950 and was a Parke‐Davis salesman in Beatrice until 1955.

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