We are just one week away from the start of the PPA Annual Conference is your “Ticket to Community, Engagement and Collaboration”. Taking place February 20-22, 2026 at the Hilton Harrisburg, this “super bowl” of Pennsylvania pharmacy gatherings will offer quality education, networking and connections to crucial practice updates opportunities and member celebrations. Check out the highlights below.
Keynote speaker Chad Herman of the Trusted Messenger Program will kick of the conference with his address “Why Good Communication is Essential to Good Health Care” – discussing how pharmacists can maximize their reputation as the most trusted healthcare providers.
Continuing education programs will explore what’s new in COPD management, drug safety programs like risks of opioid combinations, caring for special populations, diabetes updates including advanced programming for diabetes educators, immunization updates, and mandated reporter training that meets pharmacist re-licensure requirements!
New for 2026
An emergency preparedness simulation (pre-registration required). This interactive simulation places pharmacists in the midst of a large-scale disaster scenario involving a natural disaster event affecting both urban and rural communities. Participants will be responsible for addressing medication safety, triaging patient medication needs, managing limited drug supplies, and supporting care coordination across settings.
A student-led briefing on the Medicare Prescription Payment Program (MPPP)
Practitioner networking sessions abound with the Independent Owners Forum scheduled for Friday at 3:30 p.m. (must be an owner or approved designee to attend) and the Health-System / Ambulatory Care Forum taking place Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and open to all.
PPA will also be sharing information for those interested in learning more about PA’s Rural Health Transformation plans and how can get involved, along with outcomes of the 2025 PA Pharmacist Provider Summit where stakeholders explored opportunities to advance pharmacist provided services in PA. Look for the RHTP PPA ambassadors at the conference!
Back by Popular Demand!
The Annual Poster Session – with posters of distinction to be awarded
Student OTC Competition – with all 7 PA schools of pharmacy participating! Be sure to cheer on your favorite school!
Don’t miss your opportunity to celebrate member achievements with the annual PPA award presentations including PPA Pharmacist of the Year, Wayne Myers (Norland Pharmacy), Technician of the Year Trevor White (Hilltop Pharmacy), Bowl of Hygeia winner Donna Hazel and Mortar & Pestle winner Nishaminy Kasbekar (University of Pennsylvania Health System), to name just a few!
I am excited for members and supporters to experience the line-up of speakers, events and information sharing we have in store this year!
Not registered, no problem? Online registration is closed, but PPA is accepting registrations on site. Look for us in the 2nd floor foyer at the Hilton. See you in Harrisburg!
Special note for attendees: Not sure where to start networking at conference? We’ve got you covered. This year, designated networking tables will be set up during Saturday’s lunch to help you easily connect with other pharmacists, new practitioners, residents, preceptors, and leaders across the profession.
Each table will be organized around a shared interest, such as early career paths, mentorship, residency training, ownership, and experiential opportunities and includes conversation prompts to help break the ice. Whether you’re looking for advice, mentorship, or just a friendly face, these tables are a low-pressure way to make meaningful connections.
By: Victoria Elliott, CEO
