APhA Immunization Community
Connect with members dedicated to advancing immunization practices.
Overview
Access valuable resources, collaborate on immunization initiatives, and contribute to policy, advocacy,
education, and awards efforts. Engage in meaningful discussions, share best practices, and stay informed on the
latest immunization updates.
The mission of the Immunization Community is to create a network for pharmacists, student pharmacists,
pharmacy technicians, researchers, and other members interested in immunizations. This Community
provides an opportunity for collaboration, leadership development and involvement in APhA's policy,
advocacy, education, and awards processes.
The Community will actively support APhA's vision and strategic plan by providing members with
leadership development support, as well as opportunities to engage in the policy, advocacy, education,
and awards processes focused on immunizations.
Meet the Leaders Driving Our Community Forward
Get to know the leaders guiding our profession. Their leadership drives innovation, fosters collaboration, and makes a lasting impact on patient care and pharmacy practice.
Bio
Claire Espanol, PharmD, began her journey in providing team-based, patient-centered care when
she graduated from the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical
Sciences in 2017. Not far from her hometown of Las Vegas, she became the staff pharmacist and
later pharmacy manager at Safeway Pharmacy in rural Nevada. As someone familiar with urban area
needs, Claire witnessed the struggles of working in a rural area, where some patients would
travel for hours for basic health care needs. Within her first years out of school, she equipped
the pharmacy technicians to promote immunizations while dispensing prescriptions so that
patients could get everything in one trip. With that work accomplished, she moved back to Las
Vegas to continue providing immunizations as a float pharmacist and later as a staff pharmacist
for Albertsons/Sav-On Pharmacy. Although most patients now live closer to her pharmacy, she
still does her best to build rapport and promote immunizations while they are inside the
pharmacy.
Motivated to improve pharmacy's convenience to increase patient satisfaction, Claire became
involved with APhA as co-chair for the Immunizing Pharmacists SIG Education Committee. She
learned about APhA's resources and developed her own leadership skills alongside colleagues from
around the country.
Claire Espanol
PharmD
Bio
Sheena Patel, PharmD, is an accomplished and dedicated professional with a deep-rooted
commitment to advancing health care, particularly in the field of immunization advocacy. As an
active APhA member, she has held key positions that reflect their unwavering dedication to the
field.
Serving as the 2019-2021 advocacy chair for the APhA-APPM Immunization Special Interest Group,
Sheena passionately advocated for patients and pharmacists involved in immunization efforts. Her
work involved letter-writing campaigns, social media initiatives, participating in the SIG PAC
Challenge, and facilitating the submission of new business items for the 2021 House of
Delegates. Sheena's passion for immunization advocacy and education is further evidenced through
her roles as communications co-chair for the Immunization SIG and as a delegate and alternate
delegate for the APhA House of Delegates. She has initiated and developed monthly case studies,
co-authored APhA's Immunization Travel Health Pocket Guide, and received multiple certificates
of appreciation for generating awareness and promoting immunizations. She actively monitors and
moderates online communities to ensure the dissemination of accurate information related to
immunizations.
Sheena, a PharmD graduate of Wilkes University, remains deeply committed to supporting and
advocating for access to immunization services.
Sheena Patel
PharmD
Bio
Kimerly Metcalf has been a member of the pharmacy profession since 2011 and became PTCB
certified in 2012. She finished the required tests to apply for and obtain the Advanced
Certified Pharmacy Technician license in November 2020, becoming the first technician in Iowa to
obtain this credential. She currently works in the community pharmacy setting, and has 6 years
of experience in an in-patient hospital pharmacy as well. Kimerly is a careforce captain for
FlavoRx, a volunteer item writer for PTCB, and a volunteer NICU cuddler at UnityPoint Heath-
Waterloo.
Her goals are: 1. To have every pharmacist recognized as providers by state Medicaid programs.
2. Change attitudes towards pharmacy technicians. She is always looking for opportunities to
learn and grow.
Kimerly Metcalf
Collaborate for Change: Join a Team
Teams are at the heart of our association's impact. By joining a team, you will collaborate with
like-minded professionals, share insights, and work together on key initiatives that shape the future of our
field.
The Community is led by a chair, chair-elect, and member-at-large (up to three) that serve to advance the work
of the Community. Team members are appointed by the Community leadership.
Professional Affairs Team
Promote advocacy opportunities and identify timely issues important to Community members that may be
submitted through the APhA policy process. Identify opportunities to help meet the needs of our
members, including pharmacy technicians.
Communications Team
Disseminate information and facilitate discussions amongst members related to immunizations and
Community related activities on the APhA ENGAGE platform. Recognize members of the Community for
immunization efforts.
Education Team
Identify and address the educational needs of the Community membership related to immunizations
through creating learning resources such as continuing education, resource guides, etc.
Engagement Plans
Discover our engagement plans designed to advance pharmacy practice, foster innovation, and create lasting change in patient care.
Resources
Explore valuable resources, shaping the future of the profession and advancing patient care.