A.P. Lemberger

“One Voice–One Vision” for Wisconsin Pharmacy

OBJECTIVE To describe how a new organization, reflecting a new vision and unifying the pharmacists of Wisconsin, was created by bringing together organizationally the resources and memberships of the Wisconsin Pharmacists Association and the Wisconsin Society of health-System Pharmacists. SETTING State of Wisconsin. DESCRIPTION The boards of directors of the two precursor organizations initiated an exploration of the desirability and feasibility of creating a single, new organization to represent, with a unified voice, all of Wisconsins pharmacists. This two-year effort resulted in the creation of the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin (PSW) on January 1, 1998. INNOVATION The new organization builds on the strengths and resources of two pharmacy organizations that previously represented divergent views and practice settings. PSW offers a new vision and level of service to its members and to pharmacy students. It presents a single voice to patients, other health care providers, and governmental agencies. RESULTS The creation of the Society was supported unanimously by the two boards of directors and by 98% of the voting membership of the two previous organizations. CONCLUSION Through a deliberate and extensive planning and organizational process, two vigorous professional organizations were able to recognize the importance of combining their resources into a new single organization. The pharmacists of Wisconsin responded to a call for a new vision and a unified voice. The opportunity exists for American pharmacy to examine how it will be best served by its professional organizations.