Washington, D.C. – The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) is proud to announce Brian E. Lawson, PharmD, ICE-CCP, as the new BPS Executive Director.
Following a comprehensive search, the BPS Board of Directors, in partnership with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), determined Dr. Lawson was the best candidate to lead the organization into its next chapter. Dr. Lawson previously served as the Associate Executive Director and Interim Executive Director of BPS, following an appointment by the BPS Board of Directors and organizational leadership after the retirement of William ‘Bill’ Ellis, who served in the role for the past 14 years.
“Brian has demonstrated exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication throughout his tenure as Associate Executive Director, and most recently as Interim Executive Director following the retirement of Bill Ellis. The BPS Board of Directors wholeheartedly supports Brian as the right person to support the mission and vision of BPS,” said Gary C. Yee, PharmD, FCCP, FAPhA, Chair of the BPS Board of Directors.
Dr. Lawson has been with BPS since 2012 and has served as the Associate Executive Director since 2021. In recognition of his leadership and impact, Dr. Lawson received the institute for Credentialing Excellence (I.C.E.) Next Gen Professional Award in 2021 and was appointed an Administrative Commissioner to the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) in 2023.
With more than 62,000 active certifications worldwide, BPS Board Certification remains the gold standard for pharmacist certification. Under Dr. Lawson’s leadership, BPS will continue to expand the reach and impact of board certification, ensuring it reflects the profession’s deep commitment to excellence in patient care.
About the Board of Pharmacy Specialties
The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) was established in 1976 as an autonomous division of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). The mission of BPS is to improve patient care by positioning BPS Board-Certified Pharmacist Specialists as integral members of multidisciplinary healthcare teams, through recognition and promotion of specialized training, knowledge, and skills for pharmacists in the United States and internationally. Board certification is a recognized credential for determining which pharmacists are qualified to contribute at advanced practice levels given the rigorous standards mandated by BPS board certification and recertification. As of the end of 2024, BPS recognized more than 62,250 pharmacist certifications across 15 specialties.
BPS Contact
Alexander Jean-Baptiste
Associate Director, Digital Marketing & Communications
ajeanbaptiste@aphanet.org