North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (NARMC), is proud to announce that two pharmacists have achieved board certification. Brandy Hubbard, PharmD, BCACP achieved certification as a Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist, and Will Hawes, PharmD, BCPS has achieved board certification as a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist. Board certification through the Board of Pharmacy Specialists (BPS) is recognized as the gold standard for determining which pharmacists are qualified to contribute at advanced practice levels.
Brandy graduated from the University Of Arkansas Medical Sciences - College Of Pharmacy in 2016 and began her career at NARMC in 2017. Brandy wanted to achieve this certification to validate that she has the knowledge and experience to optimize medications and health related outcomes for her patients. “This was just one more step to assure that we are providing the best care possible to our NARMC patients,” she said. “The process for achieving the ambulatory care board certification requires either 4 years of experience or a residency plus 1 year of experience. I had 4 years of experience and a year of residency behind me at the time of certification. Candidates then have to pass a standardized exam to achieve board certification status.”
“Becoming board certified in my practice specialty is a huge professional milestone! I am hoping this certification will allow me to continue to advance in the practice of pharmacy,” said Brandy. “I wouldn't have been able to achieve it without the continued and unwavering support of my husband, Adrian, my family, and my coworkers.”
“Brandy's BCACP (Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist) recognizes her expertise primarily in the ambulatory care space. Brandy demonstrated this through her past and present work with patients in the community,” said Josh Maloney, Pharmacy Manager/ Pharmacist-in-Charge at NARMC.
Will Hawes, PharmD, BCPS began his career as a Pharmacist with NARMC in 2018 after graduating from the University Of Arkansas Medical Sciences- College Of Pharmacy in 2017. “The purpose of the Board Certification in Pharmacotherapy Specialties (BCPS) program is to validate that a pharmacist has advanced knowledge and experience to improve patient outcomes. To successfully pass the rigorous 175-question exam involves years of practicing as a clinical pharmacist and countless hours of study preparation,” said Will, “I wanted to obtain my Board Certification in Pharmacotherapy Specialties in order to sharpen my clinical skills and enable me to help provide high-quality and evidence-based healthcare to patients.”
“My Board Certification helps me stay on the cutting edge of drug information and allows me to provide patients with the best care possible,” said Will, “I am grateful for my wife, my pharmacy colleagues, and NARMC leadership for their support in helping me accomplish this milestone.”
“Will's BCPS (Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist) recognizes his expertise primarily in the inpatient setting. I am extremely proud of both Brandy and Will for obtaining this distinction. Having board certified pharmacists specializing in both the inpatient and outpatient setting further enhances NARMCs ability to provide the safest and highest quality of comprehensive care to the community we serve,” said Maloney.
Josh Bright, PharmD, Vice President of Operations stated, “We are proud of Dr. Hubbard and Dr. Hawes achieving Board certification. It symbolizes many years of dedication to excellence and continued engagement in professional development. Their hard work is proof of our dedication to providing the highest quality service with the most qualified staff, right here at home.”
With BPS specialty-trained pharmacists as part of the collaborative care team, enhanced patient satisfaction has been documented with fewer complications in drug treatment, improved laboratory monitoring, reductions in unnecessary medications, and shorter hospital stays.
