CU Anschutz Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Associate Professor Sara Wettergreen, PharmD, has been appointed board president of the Colorado Pharmacists Society (CPS), which improves patient care and public health by advancing and supporting the professional practice of pharmacy in Colorado. CPS provides support and services to over 800 member pharmacists, technicians and associated pharmacy professionals in the state, and its work is one of the reasons why Colorado is progressive in its pharmacy practice. Wettergreen’s vision for her CPS presidency is centered on three pillars: purpose, passion, and progress.
As a faculty member at CU Pharmacy, Dr. Wettergreen has long championed education, advocacy, and collaboration. Now, in her role as CPS president, she’s working with the team at CPS and translating those values into a statewide strategy to strengthen Colorado’s pharmacy community and amplify its voice in healthcare.
“This is a big year for the Colorado Pharmacists Society,” Wettergreen said. “CPS is running a bill this year and is working to deepen relationships with Colorado state legislators before the legislative session begins. In terms of organizational structure, CPS is undergoing a staff expansion, bylaws revision, and an update to the policies and procedures.”
The organization’s leaders will also work to develop a new strategic plan, which will guide the work of CPS for the next five years. One of Wettergreen’s primary goals as CPS president is to support the leaders of the organization in each of their roles. CPS depends on volunteer leaders to help drive results for the organization.
“My goal is to foster engagement among CPS leaders by providing encouragement, support, and resources that allow their work to shine,” she said.
One of Wettergreen’s top priorities is to deepen member engagement and enhance learning opportunities. Her plan emphasizes meaningful continuing education and targeted programming that supports pharmacists at every career stage, from new graduates to seasoned practitioners seeking board recertification or American Society of Health-System Pharmacists preceptor requirements.
“Connection is the heart of CPS,” Wettergreen said. “By creating spaces for authentic relationships and professional growth, we empower pharmacists to thrive and make an even greater impact.”
New initiatives include monthly virtual “Coffee Talks” for members, and a volunteer appreciation program highlighting individuals who exemplify the society’s mission.
Additionally, Wettergreen sees her colleagues at CU Pharmacy and her own mentorship within the school as a foundation to build the next generation of engaged pharmacists. She encourages her colleagues to take advantage of the School of Pharmacy’s group membership and to get involved with CPS in any way they can. Their collective efforts continue to grow the organization, and its impact in the field of pharmacy.
Wettergreen’s second goal centers on advocacy, a defining strength of CPS. Under her leadership, CPS aims to create advocacy training for pharmacy professionals in collaboration with legislative experts, empowering members to engage confidently in policy change.
She also plans to build on the momentum of the existing CPS Workplace Conditions Taskforce, focusing on actionable outcomes from the organization’s recent summits to improve the well-being of pharmacy professionals statewide.
“Advocacy isn’t just about policy, it’s about people,” Wettergreen said. “When pharmacists raise their voices together, we drive change that improves care for our patients and our profession.”
She noted that CPS already had a big win in September, with both Public Health Order 25-01, which restored access to COVID vaccines just in time for fall respiratory illness season; and the Colorado Board of Pharmacy conducted Emergency Rulemaking, which allowed pharmacists to prescribe and administer all vaccines directly, whether or not they are included on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)-recommended list.
Sustainability, both financial and organizational, is the third goal of Wettergreen’s presidency. Her focus includes leveraging McKesson Amplify, a strategic initiative designed to support state pharmacy associations and their advocacy efforts that empower pharmacists, deliverables to secure and grow funding, crafting a forward-thinking strategic plan, and communicating the value of CPS membership across diverse pharmacy settings.
Wettergreen also plans to enhance student and new practitioner engagement, ensuring that CPS remains a vibrant, inclusive home for Colorado’s next generation of pharmacy leaders, and she mentioned CU Pharmacy’s role in doing the same.
“CU Pharmacy provides membership in CPS for first-year students to support their engagement in the state’s professional organization,” she said. “Drs. Gina Moore and Kari Allan serve as co-advisors for the CU CPS chapter and provide the support and guidance to help our students engage professionally and legislatively.”
Wettergreen personally hopes to help further the existing efforts and to encourage students to get involved.
“My leadership journey within professional organizations began during my time as a pharmacy student,” she said. “I hope to inspire CU Pharmacy students to join CPS and get involved, both to strengthen the organization and to gain valuable professional development experiences. Colorado pharmacists have an incredible tradition of leadership and collaboration. Together, we’ll continue to move the profession forward.”