Amy and Don Bennett OPA Executive Fellowship in Leadership & Association Management

About OPA 

The Ohio Pharmacists Association (OPA), established in 1879, represents more than 6,000 pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and student pharmacists throughout the state. OPA's mission is to invest in and empower Ohio pharmacists in every setting as medication experts.

Description

The OPA Executive Fellowship is a one-year postgraduate training program named for Amy and Don Bennett, who have dedicated their professional lives to leadership and the professional development of hundreds of Ohio pharmacists and student pharmacists. The Fellowship is an excellent experience for a pharmacist or non-pharmacist interested in learning all areas that are critical to any successful nonprofit organization and in developing leadership skills. The Fellowship is conducted at the OPA headquarters under the direction of OPA staff.

The Fellow will be trained in:

• Association management and governance
• Advocacy for the profession of pharmacy
• Leadership
• Membership development 
• Professional affairs
• Continuing education development
• Communications
• Publication production
• Event coordination

Fellows who complete the program will be excellent candidates for healthcare leadership and association management positions in Ohio and elsewhere.

Goals of the Fellowship

• To support the development of individuals interested in association management through training and experience in leadership, advocacy, professional affairs and problem-solving at the Ohio Pharmacists Association;
• To prepare individuals for leadership positions in a variety of settings in the profession of pharmacy and healthcare in general;
• To advance the role of the pharmacist in the healthcare system by engaging with Ohio’s pharmacists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, policy makers, state agencies, other healthcare provider groups and managed care organizations
• To advance areas of the Ohio Pharmacists Association’s strategic plan with a focus on clinical initiatives and grassroots advocacy
• To assist in the program planning and operations of OPA.

Past Fellows

• Vyishali Dharbhamalla – AstraZeneca
• Myriam Shaw Ojeda - The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy and Ohio Pharmacists Association)
• Ola Latala - Mount Carmel Health System

Benefits:

• Duration: 12 months (July 1 - June 30)
• Annual salary: $56,000
• Group health Insurance coverage with HSA option
• 10 days Paid Time Off (PTO) plus paid holidays
• Registration and travel Expense for one state or national meeting

Applicant Qualifications

• B.S. or B.A. degree from a U.S. accredited institution. Preference will be given to those with an association management, business, pharmacy, and/or pharmaceutical sciences degree.
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office products is required.

Application Information 

A complete application includes:

• Letter of Intent
• Current Curriculum Vitae
• Written responses to each of the three application questions in fewer than 400 words:
  • An overview of why you are applying for this fellowship and how you plan to utilize the experience in your future career.
  • What personal strengths and experiences would you bring to the Ohio Pharmacists Association? Include a description of your leadership, professional and/or community services/achievements and future goals.
  • What value do nonprofit associations bring to professions and to the public?

• Three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a current or former employer.

Applicants should submit their application packet via email to opa@ohiopharmacists.org by January 31 at 5:00 p.m. EST. Email subject line: “Application for OPA Fellowship”

Selection Process

• Selection of the applicant shall be the responsibility of the OPA’s executive staff. 
• Applicants will be notified within one week once completed application is received and may be invited for an interview. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 
• Final selection will be made by Spring 2027.

 

If you have any questions, please contact our office at (614) 389-3236 or email OPA at opa@ohiopharmacists.org.