CHICAGO – The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) announces that their executive director Dr. Peter Vlasses will retire on June 30, 2019. Dr. Vlasses will have served as the executive director of ACPE for 20 years and been a leader in the profession of pharmacy for almost 45 years.

Dr. Peter Vlasses

During his tenure at ACPE, he oversaw the accreditation of the professional degree program in pharmacy amid transition, evolution, and unprecedented growth; strengthened continuing professional education and development for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians; championed interprofessional collaboration in education and accreditation across the continuum of education and practice; led the establishment of the ACPE International Services Program and supported its extensive reach to improve the quality of pharmacy education and training throughout the world; and worked to collaboratively expand pharmacy technician education accreditation.

Prior to his leadership of ACPE, Dr. Vlasses was well established and respected in academic circles serving in leadership positions within the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science and the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Pharmacy. He practiced clinically within the Ohio State University Hospitals and was engaged in clinical research for over a decade with the University Health-System Consortium Clinical Practice Advancement Center. Dr. Vlasses is a founding board member and fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy and was elected to the board of directors of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors and has served as chair and then treasurer of the board.

Dr. Vlasses received his BS and PharmD degrees from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science (PCPS) and completed a residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. He has authored hundreds of professional publications, case reports, and editorials.

According to Lori Duke, ACPE president, “the ACPE Board of Directors is grateful to Dr. Vlasses for his long-term dedication and leadership as ACPE Executive Director. His vision, commitment, and collaborative leadership throughout his tenure have strengthened the foundation of excellence in every aspect of accreditation in pharmacy, for pharmacists and technicians, both in the United States and around the world. Although his active executive leadership may come to an end this summer, Dr. Vlasses’ influence and impact will remain within the core foundation of ACPE. We wish him well in this new season of life.”

The ACPE board of directors has appointed a search committee and additional information will be released as it becomes available.