Magaly Rodriguez de Bittner to Lead American Pharmacists Association as President

UMSOP faculty member brings decades of leadership, advocacy, and innovation to national role.

By Pam Carder
April 20, 2026

Magaly Rodriguez de Bittner, PharmD, MS, FAPhA, FNAP, FFIP, professor of practice, sciences, and health outcomes research, associate dean for clinical services and practice transformation and executive director of the Center for Innovative Pharmacy Solutions at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP), was installed as president of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) in March at the House of Delegates at the association’s annual meeting in Los Angeles, marking a significant milestone in her distinguished career of service to the pharmacy profession.

The installation follows her year as APhA’s president-elect and places her at the helm of the nation’s oldest and largest organization representing pharmacists across all practice settings.

“APhA has been part of my professional journey for the majority of my career,” Rodriguez de Bittner said. “It is an organization whose mission aligns deeply with my own commitment to ensuring that patients have access to pharmacy services and that pharmacists are recognized as medication experts who can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”

Having served six years on APhA’s board of directors and been actively involved in the association for decades, Rodriguez de Bittner said the presidency represents both personal and professional fulfillment.

“To be part of an organization with a 174-year legacy and to contribute to moving the profession forward is incredibly significant to me,” she said. “I am the 171st president of the Association, its 14th woman president, and the first from UMSOP. It is very fulfilling to feel that, through my career, I have been able to play a role in shaping the future of pharmacy.”

During her term, Rodriguez de Bittner plans to focus on several key priorities aimed at strengthening the profession and advancing patient care. Among them is advocating for formal recognition of pharmacists as health care providers under the Social Security Act – a change that would allow pharmacists to be credentialed and compensated for clinical services.

“This recognition is critical,” she said. “It would enable pharmacists to fully participate in the health care provider network and expand access to the clinical services that improve patient outcomes.”

She also plans to address workplace wellbeing and practice conditions for pharmacists, particularly in community settings.

“We are confronting serious challenges related to workplace conditions that prevent pharmacists from thriving,” Rodriguez de Bittner said. “We must work collaboratively through legislation and partnerships to transform the practice environment so that community pharmacies are seen as accessible health care centers and entry points into primary care.”

Another priority will be raising awareness among patients, policymakers, and health system leaders about the value pharmacists bring to health care.

“We want the public and decision-makers to better understand how pharmacists contribute to the quality of care and overall wellbeing of patients,” she said. “Capturing and communicating that value is essential to the future of the profession.”

Rodriguez de Bittner has chosen “redefining purpose, passion, and joy” as the theme of her presidency, reflecting her belief that pharmacists must reconnect with the motivations that drew them to the profession and that we must bring joy back in our personal and professional lives.

“As we tackle challenges such as recognition, payment, and workplace wellbeing, we need to rediscover our purpose and find passion and joy in what we do,” she said. “Pharmacists touch people every day and change their lives. Celebrating those moments can help us move forward with renewed energy and commitment.”

Her leadership approach will also emphasize innovation and what she describes as a “pharmapreneurial mindset.”

“We cannot continue to address today’s challenges using the same approaches as in the past,” Rodriguez de Bittner said. “We must be bold, think differently, and see ourselves as catalysts for change and problem solvers committed to improving care.”

As part of that vision, she is working with the APhA Foundation to develop a new recognition initiative that will highlight pharmacists’ positive impact on patients’ lives. The program will invite nominations from patients, employers, and colleagues and will use storytelling and social media to amplify examples of pharmacists going above and beyond in their care.

Rodriguez de Bittner, who is a UMSOP and University of Puerto Rico alumna and has been on faculty at UMSOP for more than 40 years, said her career has been shaped by mentors, colleagues, and students – as well as by the inspiration she drew from her parents, both public school teachers.

“They instilled in me the importance of education, passion, and commitment,” she said. “If you are going to do something, do it well and do it with love and joy.”

Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD, dean and professor of pharmaceutical sciences at UMSOP, said Rodriguez de Bittner’s national leadership role reflects her longstanding dedication to advancing pharmacy practice and education.

“Dr. Rodriguez de Bittner has devoted her career to innovation, advocacy, and empowering pharmacists to reach their full potential,” Michel said. “Her vision, energy, and deep commitment to patient care make her exceptionally well-suited to lead APhA at this pivotal time for the profession.”

Michael D. Hogue, PharmD, FAPhA, FNAP, FFIP, executive vice president and CEO of APhA said, “Dr Rodriguez de Bittner is a transformational leader in the profession of pharmacy. Her innovative approach and consistent advocacy for full inclusion of pharmacists as members of the health care team has been effective in Maryland and the nation for decades. We are grateful that she is bringing her vision, passion, and experience to this national role through her service to APhA.”

For Rodriguez de Bittner, the opportunity to serve as APhA president is both an honor, a privilege, and a continuation of the work that has defined her career.

“Touching people’s lives – whether patients, students, or colleagues – is what keeps me motivated,” she said. “To find work that aligns with one’s values is incredibly rewarding. I have been fortunate to experience that throughout my career, and I am excited to continue that journey in this new role.”

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