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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy (SOP) alumnus Cody Sandusky, PharmD, was sworn in as president of the Illinois Pharmacists Association (IPhA) Saturday, Sept. 26 during a virtual conference.

A Carrier Mills native, Sandusky has worked in the pharmacy industry for eight years with experience as a community pharmacist, consultant and now director of pharmacy at Harrisburg Medical Center. 

“I am honored and excited to be the first alumnus of the SIUE School of Pharmacy to hold this office,” Sandusky said. “The School of Pharmacy students, faculty, and alumni are increasingly involved in our state pharmacy associations, decision-making and leadership. It always makes me swell with pride when I travel to a pharmacy meeting, lobbying day, etc. and see what looks like a small army of SIUE trailblazers making a clear, positive impact on our profession. I’m excited to bring SIUE’s tradition of excellence to the Illinois Pharmacists Association and beyond.”

“As IPhA president, Dr. Sandusky will be leading the advocacy efforts to advance patient care through access to pharmacists,” said IPhA Executive Director Garth Reynolds, BSPharm, RPh, MBA. “Pharmacists are the most accessible and the most underutilized healthcare provider in the country. And COVID-19 has shown the essential value of pharmacists in our communities and within the healthcare system. Cody’s experienced leadership as a student, a new practitioner, and now as president will continue the momentum to enact positive change for pharmacy in Illinois.” 

Sandusky will focus on three key issues: 1) Attaining pharmacist provider status, being recognized as healthcare providers in the state; 2) State regulation of pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs); and 3) Fostering unity in our profession during a time of social, economic and healthcare crises. “The first two goals will focus on introducing legislation and getting it written into Illinois law,” Sandusky said.  

“Dr. Sandusky will bring many significant actions to the Board of IPhA and be asked to address critical issues in pharmacy for the state of Illinois with legislators and stakeholders during the 2020-2021 year,” said Jessica Kerr, PharmD, SOP associate dean in the Office of Professional and Student Affairs. “I had the honor of working with Dr. Sandusky as a student. He was active in legislative efforts from the beginning, serving as the American Pharmacists Association – Academy of Student Pharmacists policy vice president. He was also an IPhA board member, during my tenure as president and chairperson of the IPhA board of directors.”

“Dr. Sandusky possess many of the key ingredients for being an effective leader in the pharmacy profession, including a positive attitude, a sense of duty, integrity and humility,” said SOP Dean Mark Luer, PharmD, FCCP. “It is amazing to see the transformative changes being made by our alumni, and Dr. Sandusky’s decision to step up and lead at the state level exemplifies how one can make a difference.”

SOP Director of Clinical Programs Chris Lynch, PharmD, was one of Sandusky’s mentors. “Cody Sandusky is a truly exceptional young pharmacist with a natural ability to build trust, and forge dynamic personal and professional relationships,” Lynch said. “Although he has always behaved and dressed as if he were a much older – some might say elderly –  man, I am so glad that he has many years of practice and pharmacy leadership ahead.”

Photo: SIUE School of Pharmacy alumnus Cody Sandusky, PharmD, is president of the Illinois Pharmacists Association.