Dr. Saluja Helps Found National Pharmacy Association for Indian Educators

From left to right: Dr. Deepak Gupta, Dr. Hardeep Saluja, Dr. Milap Nahata, Dr. Anandi Law, Dr. Russell Melchert, Dr. Vivek Dave, Dr. Ankit Rochani.

The American Association of Indian Pharmacy Professors (AAIPP) has officially been established in 2024, with Dr. Hardeep Saluja, Department Chair and Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) College of Pharmacy, serving as one of the founding members and President of the organization.

Over the past two decades, the number of pharmacy colleges offering the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program in the United States has increased significantly. This expansion has enabled many young pharmacy graduates of Indian and South Asian origin to contribute to pharmacy education and become educators. Initially, these educators, as well-trained scientists, sought to deepen their understanding of the education system and practice of pharmacy by attending the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) conferences. AACP provided them with crucial infights into pharmacy education and practice.

The journey toward establishing AAIPP began with a small group of Indian-origin professors who met at AACP conferences. Over time, these colleagues became friends and, alongside Dr. Saluja, took the initiative to develop a sustainable community that supports both seasoned and new faculty members beginning their academic careers. The key members involved in taking the initiative include Dr. Vivek Dave (Vice President), Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at St. John Fisher University, Wegmans School of Pharmacy, Rochester, NY; Dr. Deepak Gupta (Treasurer), Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Bradenton, FL; and Dr. Ankit Rochani (Secretary), Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at St. John Fisher University, Wegmans School of Pharmacy, Rochester, NY.

AAIPP was formally launched with its first annual banquet and networking event on July 22, at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston. The event was attended by over 50 participants and featured keynote speaker Dr. Russel B. Melchert, Ph.D., RPh, past president of AACP, and Dean and Professor at the School of Pharmacy at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

The establishment of AAIP comes at a significant time, with Indian Americans holding concurrent presidential roles in three major U.S. pharmacy organizations: Anandi Law, BPharm, PhD, MS, FAPhA, as President of AACP for 2024-25; Nishaminy (Nish) Kasbekar, Pharm.D., BSPharm, FASHP, as President of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; and Alex C. Varkey, Pharm.D., MS, FAPhA, as President of the American Pharmacists Association.

For more information, visit www.aaipp.us.

About Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Since 1901, Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has proudly stood on the hilltop in Weatherford, Oklahoma. Offering over 100 affordable undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon, SWOSU provides a diverse range of academic opportunities with high-quality education to its students. The university boasts a vibrant community of nearly 5,000 scholars and over 200 dedicated faculty and staff. With strong academic programs and a commitment to excellence, SWOSU continues to be a top choice for students seeking a quality education.