Marialice Schmitt Bennett, BS Pharm, RPh, FAPhA

(#156) APhA Pres: 2011-2012

Academic Journey

Marialice is a 1969 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy.  She completed her internship at The OSU Hospitals Department of Pharmacy during an era when IV Admixtures, Unit Dose, and Clinical Services were being implemented.

Career Journey

Marialice Bennett is Professor Emerita of Pharmacy Practice and Science and former Residency Director for The Ambulatory and Community Care Residency Programs at the Ohio State University (OSU) College of Pharmacy.  She served as a co-founder and pharmacy director of University Health Connection, an innovative interprofessional health care clinic, from 1999 to 2011.   She was among the first clinical pharmacists to practice at The OSU Hospital in the 1970s.  Her practice team’s contribution to the development of the OSU College of Pharmacy Clinical Partners and the OSU University Health Connection resulted in 2005 and 2006 ASHP Best Practice Awards.

APhA Journey

Marialice was first involved with Student APhA while at OSU.  As a practitioner, her first elected leadership role was as chair-elect and then chair of APhA-Academy of Pharmacy Practice and Management (APhA-APPM) Clinical/Pharmacotherapy Section. She went on to serve as a member-a-large of the executive committee and later as president of APhA-APPM and member of the APhA Board of Trustees before being elected as APhA President. She has served as a member of numerous task forces, panels, and commissions related to MTM, practice innovation, and community residencies over her career.

Personal

Marialice is an active member and leader with the Maple Grove United Methodist Church.  She participates in several ministry teams including music, wellbeing, and education and has long term friendships in several small groups.  She has been active in local community service including local food pantries, NCS sports, Cub Scouts, numerous diabetes associations, and Cum Christo.

Marialice and her husband, Jon, love and enjoy spending time with their three sons and their families: Jay and Cayenne; Vincent, Stephanie, Jaxon, Tyson and Lulu Rose; and Bryan, Jessica, Josie and Hudson.

Mentor?

Her long-time mentor is Harold Godwin.  He planted the seeds of innovation and excellence in practice during her internship at The OSU Hospitals and was always there throughout her career when she felt doubt.  His love for professional organizations led her to her love for APhA.

Tips for the path toward APhA Leadership/Presidency?

Start at the grassroots level. Find opportunities within your passion. Once you are established and recognized for what you are passionate about, you can expand to broader areas. As you grow within the organization, you will begin to see your path to leadership

Pace yourself! APhA will offer different opportunities during the different phases of your career and life. Engage and enjoy the moment at each phase along the way. And always be connected to the advocacy agenda of the profession!

In the end, friendships are what lasts the longest!