Washington, D.C. – The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) is proud to announce the recipients of the eighth annual BPS Seed Grants: Michael Stepanovic, PharmD, MS and Thomas G. Wadsworth, PharmD, MSOL, BCPS. The BPS Research Seed Grant program offers up to two $5,000 USD grants to any pharmacist or investigator conducting a project examining the impact and value of pharmacist board certification. The investigators will submit a final report in December 2027.
“The BPS Research Seed Grant program exemplifies our commitment to advancing pharmacy practice through rigorous, evidence-based inquiry. These projects not only highlight the evolving role of board-certified pharmacists in improving patient outcomes but also reinforce the importance of integrating certification awareness into pharmacy education and interprofessional collaboration. We are proud to support these investigators as they contribute meaningful insights to the profession.” said Brian L. Erstad, PharmD, BCPS, MCCM, FCCP, FASHP, BPS Board of Directors liaison to the BPS Research Committee.
Michael Stepanovic, PharmD, MS is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Practice Advancement & Clinical Education at the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr. Stepanovic will collaborate with Kathryn A. Morbitzer, PharmD, MS; Stephen F. Eckel, PharmD, MHA; and Michael D. Wolcott, PharmD, PhD, BCIDP to conduct a project titled, “Assessing Perceived Value: A Pilot Study of Pharmacy Board Certification and Development of Comprehensive Survey.”
The proposal submitted by Dr. Stepanovic stated, “By employing a comprehensive approach that combines quantitative and qualitative methodologies, this study aims to provide a holistic understanding of pharmacists’ perceived value of board certification, identify actionable factors to improve uptake, and inform policy, education, and practice strategies. Successful completion of this pilot study may pave the way for a broader investigation, utilizing the developed survey to assess perceptions among a larger cohort of certified pharmacists. This research has the potential to illuminate barriers to certification and ultimately drive transformative changes in pharmacy practice, enhancing patient care and reinforcing the significance of board certification.”
Thomas G. Wadsworth, PharmD, MSOL, BCPS is Dean and Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration at the Idaho State University L. S. Skaggs College of Pharmacy. Dr. Wadsworth will collaborate with Kelly-Wihler Djine Mboumenou, PharmD Candidate Class of 2026, to conduct a project titled, “ADVANCING PRACTICE: The Impact of Board Certification on Pharmacist Engagement in Clinical Services Under Idaho’s Expanded Scope of Practice.”
The proposal submitted by Dr. Wadsworth stated, “This cross-sectional study will survey all actively practicing Idaho-licensed pharmacists across diverse settings. Participants will be stratified by BPS certification status. The survey will capture demographic and professional characteristics, certification history, scope-of-practice activities, confidence levels, employment roles, and credentialing experiences. Primary analysis will compare rates of advanced practice participation between certified and non-certified pharmacists.” According to Dr. Wadsworth, “findings will clarify whether board certification functions not only as a professional benchmark but also as a practical enabler of expanded pharmacist roles in permissive regulatory environments. This evidence may inform credentialing policies, payer contracting, and workforce development strategies aimed at improving patient access to pharmacist-provided care.”
More information about previous awardees and BPS Seed Grants can be found here.
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.
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