In A First, Indian Americans Lead Top 3 US Pharmacy Organizations

Photo: (Left to Right: Alex C. Varkey, Anandi Law, Nishaminy Kasbekar)

India-West Staff Reporter

POMONA, CA – For the first time in history, Indian Americans are serving as presidents in three of the leading U.S. pharmacy organizations simultaneously.

Anandi Law has been elected president of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, Nishaminy Kasbekar serves as the president of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and Alex C. Varkey is the president of the American Pharmacists Association.

Reflecting on the significance of this milestone, Law, a professor and associate dean at Western University of Health Sciences, here, and a pharmacy educator, mentor, and researcher for 25 years, said, “I aim to reach out to internal and external stakeholders to engage them and strengthen the focus on interprofessional collaborations for patient care and societal needs while elevating the profession through advocacy, branding, and communication. My theme is ‘Reach Out. Engage. Elevate our profession.’ Alex, Nish, and I are very aligned in our voices – with Alex’s theme of ‘All 1n. One Profession. United.’ and Nish’s theme of ‘Be The Change’ drawing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi.”

Alex Varkey is the first Indian American to become president of APhA in the organization’s 172-year history. Currently director of pharmacy services at Houston Methodist Hospital–Texas Medical Center, he has implemented innovative technologies to improve efficiency and safety in medication-use processes. He has his PharmD from the University of Houston and a graduate degree in Health-System Pharmacy Administration from Ohio State University.

Varkey said, “I am acutely aware that I not only represent my colleagues in the profession, but I also represent my family and heritage. My parents came to this country to provide opportunities for their children they wouldn’t otherwise have; because of that, their expectations were very high. They’re no longer here physically, but I know how proud they would be of my commitment to APhA and to our entire profession. I’m honored to share this responsibility with Nish and Anandi,” he said, adding, “Knowing that we share cultural ties makes this experience of service more special and meaningful to me.”

Nishaminy Kasbekar, vice president and chief pharmacy officer at the University of Pennsylvania Health System, is the first Indian American to serve as ASHP president. Elected in 2022, Kasbekar has a long history of service to national and state pharmacy organizations. She stated, “I am extremely proud to be in this cohort of Indian American leaders in our profession. As a first-generation American, I watched my parents sacrifice to fight for the things they cared about. Their example gave me a path forward to pursue my dream of being a clinical pharmacist. I hope my experience inspires young practitioners of all backgrounds to fulfill their aspirations as pharmacists and leaders in our profession.”

Kasbekar earned her degree in Pharmacy and PharmD degrees from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science. She is a Fellow of ASHP and a past president of the Pennsylvania Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the Delaware Valley Society of Health-System Pharmacists.