2014 Recipient
William Ellis
Executive Director, Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS)
The Jacob W. Miller award recognizes an individual who has advanced the mission of the APhA Foundation by demonstrating active involvement in Foundation programs, exemplary support in establishing and/or maintaining APhA Foundation initiatives or outstanding leadership in carrying out the mission of the APhA Foundation. It was established in 2000 to honor the extraordinary service of Jacob W. Miller, who served as President of the APhA Foundation from 1991 to 2000.
During his tenure, Ellis developed and directed robust research initiatives, projects, and programs including the Project ImPACT (Improving Persistence and Compliance with Therapy) series which has provided strong evidence for the expanded role of the pharmacist in healthcare. He introduced HealthMapRx, a voluntary health benefit for self-insured employers, proven to reduce health care costs and improve health outcomes for employees and dependents with diabetes. Ellis also established the APhA Foundation’s prestigious Pinnacle Awards, which honor those who make significant contributions to the medication use process.
Ellis will be honored for his achievements during the APhA Annual Meeting and Exposition, March 28-31, 2014, in Orlando. The official award presentation will take place on March 31 at the APhA Foundation Contributors’ Breakfast, where Ellis will personally receive the award from Jacob Miller. Miller was instrumental in hiring Ellis as Executive Director of the APhA Foundation.
Ellis commented, “It is a tremendous honor to receive an award that was established to recognize the many contributions that Jake Miller has made to the profession of pharmacy and to the APhA Foundation. I consider it a privilege to have had the opportunity to be part of the APhA Foundation’s cutting edge work to improve the quality of consumer health outcomes and to help advance new patient care roles for the profession.”
Ellis is currently Executive Director for the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS). BPS identifies and recognizes critical pharmacy specialty practice areas; sets standards for the certification and recertification of pharmacy specialists; objectively evaluates individuals seeking certification and recertification; and serves as the information resource and coordinating agency for pharmacy specialties. Ellis is also Chair of the Council on Credentialing in Pharmacy and Chair of the Board of Visitors for the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. Prior to his work with the APhA Foundation, he was Executive Vice President of the Pennsylvania Society of Health-System Pharmacists.