July 17, 2026 - OCSHP was excited to host its 2026 Summer Social in collaboration with the Orange County Pharmacists Association (OCPhA) and the Vietnamese Pharmacists Association (VPhA) at Brewery X. The event brought together pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, student pharmacists, and other members of the local pharmacy community for an evening centered around connection, collaboration, and fun. Attendees had the opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces, meet new colleagues, and engage in meaningful conversations about their experiences and perspectives within the profession. The relaxed atmosphere provided a wonderful opportunity for members of all three organizations to build relationships beyond their usual professional and practice settings.

In addition to networking and conversation, attendees teamed up to participate in games and friendly competition throughout the evening, creating plenty of memorable moments and opportunities for collaboration. The Summer Social reflected the strong sense of community that can be created when local pharmacy organizations come together with a shared commitment to supporting and connecting pharmacy professionals. OCSHP is grateful to OCPhA and VPhA for their continued partnership and to everyone who joined us in making the evening a success. We look forward to continuing these collaborations and creating more opportunities for our members to connect, learn from one another, and strengthen the pharmacy community throughout Orange County and beyond.

June 11, 2026 - OCSHP recently welcomed a strong turnout of pharmacists, residents, and student pharmacists for an educational program sponsored by Amgen featuring Victoria Chan, Pharm.D., RPh, MS. The presentation, Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients at High CV Risk: Evidence from the VESALIUS-CV Study, explored emerging evidence supporting cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with established atherosclerotic disease or diabetes who had not yet experienced a myocardial infarction or stroke. Attendees gained valuable insights into the role of PCSK9 inhibition with evolocumab and its potential impact on primary prevention strategies in high-risk patient populations.

Participants reviewed findings from the landmark VESALIUS-CV trial, an international, randomized, placebo-controlled study involving more than 12,000 patients followed for a median of 4.6 years. The study demonstrated that evolocumab significantly reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke, compared with placebo, while maintaining a favorable safety profile. The discussion highlighted the growing body of evidence supporting aggressive lipid management in high-risk patients before the occurrence of a first cardiovascular event. OCSHP greatly appreciates its partnership with Amgen and other industry partners who continue to provide high-quality educational opportunities for our members. We look forward to continuing to deliver impactful clinical programs that support lifelong learning and advance pharmacy practice throughout our community.

May 21, 2026 - Orange County Society of Health-System Pharmacists (OCSHP) members recently gathered for an engaging in-person General Meeting focused on professional development, community engagement, and advancing the profession of pharmacy. One of the highlights of the meeting was the launch of the OCSHP Mentorship Program, designed to connect student pharmacists, residents, and new practitioners with experienced pharmacy professionals. Members were encouraged to participate as mentors or mentees to foster career growth, leadership development, and meaningful professional relationships across all stages of practice. The chapter also shared exciting news that OCSHP earned two complimentary sponsorship opportunities from the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists (CSHP) in recognition of the chapter’s outstanding efforts to engage and reconnect members throughout the past year.

The meeting also provided updates on several upcoming service initiatives, including community health fairs and volunteer opportunities such as beach cleanups that allow members to give back while strengthening connections within the profession. In addition, members discussed the importance of advocacy and staying informed on legislation impacting healthcare and pharmacy practice. Attendees were encouraged to support key legislative efforts, including AB 2571, and to remain engaged in advocacy initiatives that help advance patient care and protect the future of the profession. OCSHP looks forward to continuing its mission of developing leaders, serving the community, and creating meaningful opportunities for members to connect and grow together.

April 12, 2026 - In an interview with Hannah Manio, a current pharmacy student at the UCI School of Pharmacy, she described her experience returning for her second annual California Society of Health-System Pharmacists Legislative Day 2026 in Sacramento on April 7, 2026. She highlighted this year’s focus on AB2571, sponsored by Heath Flora, which seeks to expand pharmacist reimbursement beyond traditional community pharmacy settings. The proposed legislation would allow pharmacists to receive reimbursement in non-traditional settings such as clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and mobile health units. This expansion, she noted, has the potential to improve patient outcomes, increase provider accessibility, and strengthen continuity of care. At the time of the event, the bill had already passed key committees and was advancing to the California Full Assembly for further consideration.

Reflecting on the experience, she shared that Legislative Day remains one of the most meaningful parts of her journey as a student pharmacist. Participating in the event provided a clearer understanding of the policymaking process, particularly how legislation moves through committees before becoming law. The experience also underscored a broader challenge within healthcare, as the role of pharmacists is often not fully understood. This realization reinforced the importance of advocacy and education within the profession. As a result, she expressed a strong motivation to stay involved in legislative efforts and to encourage fellow students, technicians, and pharmacists to participate in future Legislative Days to help advance and protect the profession.

March 12, 2026 - The Orange County Society of Health-System Pharmacists (OCSHP) recently hosted its first annual Board Retreat, bringing together board members and committee leaders to collaboratively plan the organization’s strategic priorities for the upcoming year. The retreat provided an opportunity for leadership to step back from day-to-day operations and engage in thoughtful discussions about the organization’s mission, goals, and long-term impact within the pharmacy community. Through interactive planning sessions and open dialogue, participants worked to align on key initiatives while also strengthening relationships across committees, fostering a collaborative environment that will support effective leadership throughout the year.

During the retreat, OCSHP leadership identified several focus areas to guide the organization’s efforts moving forward. These priorities include expanding opportunities for community service engagement, establishing a structured mentorship program to support students and early-career pharmacists, and enhancing membership engagement through new professional and networking initiatives. Additional discussions centered on increasing educational opportunities related to legislative advocacy and strengthening members’ understanding of policy issues impacting pharmacy practice. By setting these goals collectively, the Board reaffirmed its commitment to advancing professional development, supporting the pharmacy workforce, and strengthening the role of pharmacists within the healthcare system.

February 27, 2026 - At the 2026 Pacific Coast Patient Safety Conference, Dr. Martin Torres, Director-At-Large for the Orange County Society of Health-System Pharmacists (OCSHP), joined Dr. Joe Carmichael, Chief Medical Officer and Vice President at UCI Health, to deliver a joint presentation titled “HRO Journey: Culture vs Strategy.” The session explored how health systems can advance toward becoming High Reliability Organizations (HROs) by balancing strategic initiatives with a deeply embedded culture of safety. Drawing on their leadership perspectives from pharmacy and executive medical leadership, Dr. Torres and Dr. Carmichael highlighted how patient safety must be treated as a shared responsibility across disciplines, emphasizing collaboration among pharmacists, physicians, nurses, and administrators to reduce preventable harm and strengthen clinical systems.

Throughout the presentation, the speakers underscored that sustainable patient safety improvements arise when organizational strategy is supported by an environment that encourages transparency, accountability, and continuous learning. Dr. Torres discussed the critical role pharmacists play in medication safety, quality improvement, and system-level safeguards that protect patients across the continuum of care. Dr. Carmichael complemented this perspective by outlining how executive leadership can align institutional priorities, resources, and clinical teams to support a culture where safety is proactively embedded in everyday practice. Together, their discussion illustrated how interdisciplinary leadership and a strong safety culture are essential components of a health system’s journey toward high reliability.

February 20, 2026 - The Orange County Society of Health-System Pharmacists (OCSHP) is honored to receive the 2025 Chapter of Distinction designation, recognizing our chapter’s strong alignment with CSHP standards and our commitment to organizational excellence. This distinction is awarded to affiliate chapters that demonstrate adherence to at least 80% of established criteria spanning governance, reporting, financial stewardship, and member engagement. Throughout the year, OCSHP maintained structured leadership transitions, fulfilled required reporting obligations, upheld sound financial practices, and actively participated in statewide initiatives and meetings. These efforts reflect our dedication to accountability, transparency, and collaboration within the broader CSHP community.

In addition to operational standards, the award highlights OCSHP’s continued focus on professional growth, member value, and community impact. The chapter sustained strong membership engagement, supported leadership development and recognition programs, hosted educational programming, and contributed to advocacy and service initiatives that advance the profession. By aligning our strategic goals with CSHP’s mission and maintaining a high standard of chapter performance, OCSHP remains committed to strengthening healthcare leadership across Orange County and supporting the pharmacists, technicians, and students we serve.

OCSHP Hosts Its 51st Annual Installation & Night with Industry Banquet Celebrating Leadership, Collaboration, and Excellence in Pharmacy

February 5, 2026 - The Orange County Society of Health-System Pharmacists (OCSHP) hosted its 51st Annual Installation & Night with Industry Banquet, bringing together pharmacy professionals, industry partners, and community leaders for an evening of collaboration and celebration. The event welcomed pharmaceutical partners from BridgeBio, Chiesi, Octapharma, and Merck Vaccines, whose engagement supported meaningful dialogue, networking opportunities, and continued advancement of pharmacy practice across Orange County. Attendees connected with colleagues from diverse practice settings while reflecting on the organization’s accomplishments and shared vision for the future.

During the evening, OCSHP recognized outstanding individuals whose contributions have advanced the profession and strengthened the pharmacy community. Annual awards included Pharmacist of the Year, Dr. Neeloufar Fakourfar; New Practitioner of the Year, Dr. Maggie Van; Student Pharmacist of the Year, Hannah Manio; and the Bob Stein Scholarship recipient, Rachel Nguyen. The banquet also marked the formal installation of the new OCSHP Board of Directors, celebrating the transition of leadership and reaffirming the organization’s commitment to advancing pharmacy practice through collaboration, education, and service.

November 11, 2025 - OCPhA and OCSHP hosted a joint Health Fair at the Lambertian Ministry Center in Garden Grove, uniting student pharmacists from UCI, Chapman University, Western University, and Marshall B. Ketchum University to serve the local community. The event created an excellent platform for inter-school collaboration as students worked side by side to deliver essential health screenings and patient education. Attendees from the neighborhood were welcomed to receive supportive, no-cost services that promote long-term wellness and disease prevention.

Throughout the event, students provided BMI assessments, blood pressure monitoring, medication counseling, and nutrition guidance tailored to individual community needs. Volunteers had the opportunity to apply their clinical skills while learning from one another and strengthening their commitment to community outreach. The health fair highlighted the impact that student pharmacists and professional organizations can make when they come together to support underserved populations in Orange County.

November 7, 2025 - OCPhA and OCSHP hosted their annual Bowling Night at Round1, bringing together pharmacists, residents, and student members for an evening of fun and community building. The event served as a relaxed environment where attendees could meet new colleagues, catch up with old friends, and strengthen professional connections outside the workplace.

Members enjoyed friendly competition on the lanes while sharing conversations about their careers, training experiences, and upcoming organizational initiatives. Events like this help foster a sense of belonging within the local pharmacy community and reinforce the value of staying engaged with professional organizations throughout the year.