Episode 243: Interview with Frank North, PharmD - National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA) President

My guest today is Dr. Frank North. He’s the current President of the National Pharmaceutical Association, a pharmacy school professor, a lifelong learner and PhD Candidate, and an entrepreneur. We’ve known one another as pharmacist entrepreneurs through the Medipreneurs organization for years, and I am pleased to share our interview with you today!

If you know someone who needs to learn about the National Pharmaceutical Association and Student National Pharmaceutical Association or would be inspired by how Dr. Frank North uses his voice, please share this episode with them.

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Bio – Sept 2023

Dr. Frank North, Pharm.D., M.P.A., DPLA, DASPL, is an Instructional Assistant Professor in the Irma Lerma Rangel School of Pharmacy at Texas A&M University and President of the National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA). As a Texas and DC licensed registered pharmacist, he serves in the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) House of Delegates, as a member of American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists (ASHP), American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) and Texas Pharmacy Association (TPA). He is a life member of NPhA, Phi Delta Chi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Dr. North earned the bachelor’s degree in biology, Doctor of Pharmacy degree and Master of Public Administration from Texas Southern University, Certificate of Business Entrepreneurship from California State University – San Bernardino and is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Higher Education at Jackson State University.

He is a 2022 Houston’s Business Journal 40 Under 40 Honoree, an inaugural recipient of the 2023 Texas Black Expo “Outstanding Educator” Award, the 2022 Texas Pharmacy Association Distinguished Service Award, and Texas A&M University Health Science Center 2021 Interprofessional Education Teaching Leadership Award, and Outstanding Fraternity Advisor by the TAMU Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life.

Highlights from our conversation

Frank lives in Houston, Texas. I live in Ohio, but I turned 21 in Houston, TX (Sugarland area) when was in town for a PCCA Compounding Clinic during a pharmacy school summer break.

This interview has 4 parts.

Part 1: We talk about NPhA and SNPhA

Part 2: We talk about how Frank uses his voice as an educator.

Part 3: Frank is an advocate for lifelong learning, and he reveals why.

Part 4. Frank North and Associates, LLC and Frank’s connection to Medipreneurs

Frank is in year 2 of a 2-year term as President of NPhA.

Facts about the National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA) and the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA):

The National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA) was founded in 1947 and is dedicated to representing the views and ideals of minority pharmacists on critical issues affecting healthcare and pharmacy, promoting racial and health equity, and advancing the standards of pharmaceutical care among all practitioners. NPhA members represent a wide variety of areas in the pharmacy field, including independent pharmacy, community, hospital, industry, and academia.

The Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) is a subsidiary of NPhA. SNPhA is an educational service association of pharmacy students who are concerned about the profession of pharmacy, healthcare issues, and the poor minority representation in these areas. The purpose of SNPhA is to plan, organize, coordinate, and execute programs geared toward the improvement of the health, educational, and social environment of minority communities.

Student-led clinical initiatives include Remember the Ribbon for HIV as well stroke and chronic kidney disease awareness. SNPhA mission trips allow students to apply classroom knowledge to clinical practice.

Both NPhA and SNPhA offer opportunities to gather. The next National Pharmaceutical Association Annual Convention will be August 9-12, 2024 in LA, CA. CPE is available in addition to socializing/networking. Students have additional opportunities to gather each year compared to licensed/practicing pharmacists. Students can also win scholarships. To learn more, visit npha.net and https://snpha.org/.

Frank will be at the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Headquarters (Potomac View Terrace) in Washington DC on Friday, Sept 22, 2023 for a special NPhA Reception. The occasion is The Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference. If you’re in the area, you’re invited to attend this social and networking reception (with a view!).

If you would like to donate to NPhA’s fundraising goal of $75,000, visit https://nphafoundation.org/. (Givelify provides this tax-deductible gifting opportunity on the NPhA Foundation’s website.) Proceeds will fund conventions and NPhA research projects. Check with your employer if they would be willing to match your donation.

Frank is also an instructional assistant professor at the Texas A&M Irma Lerma Rangel School of Pharmacy, which is in South Texas on the campus of Texas A&M Kingsville Health Science Center, academic unit. Dr. North’s area of expertise is law and ethics. He is the campus advisor for two fraternities.

Frank is a lifelong learner. He’s working on the dissertation for his second doctorate, which is his fourth degree overall. It’s a PhD in Urban Higher Education through Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi. Frank’s parents instilled in him the value of education. Education leads to better outcomes for all in both health and life. Frank wants to help people understand both policy that affects them and health information that affects them. His post-PhD plans are undecided. For now, he’s enjoying his role in Higher Ed.

As the interview came to an end, our last topic of discussion was Frank’s consulting business, Frank North and Associates LLC. Once Frank completes his PhD program, he hopes to find a balance between full-time employment and part-time entrepreneurship.

Recently, Frank wrote a chapter in a book by Dr. Yolanda Lewis-Ragland et al. The title is Navigating A Triple Pandemic: Healthcare Workers of Color Confront Racism in America, Health Disparities in Medicine & the Trauma of COVID-19. Check out Frank’s chapter!

Links from this episode

Frank North, PharmD – LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/franknorthpharmd

IG: @DrFrankRPh https://www.instagram.com/drfrankrph/

National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA) npha.net

NPhA on Instagram @nphapharmacy

NPhA Newsletter sign-up: president@npha.net (find out about up-coming gatherings)

Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) https://snpha.org/

SNPhA on Instagram @snpha

https://nphafoundation.org/ (Givelify provides a donation opportunity.)

American Pharmacists Association (APhA) https://www.pharmacist.com/

Medipreneurs https://www.medipreneurs.com (Information, networking, and tools for healthcare entrepreneurs.)