Advancing Pharmacy Practice Through Specialization
At Mayo Clinic, the Department of Pharmacy is a vital collaborator in advancing patient care through integrated practice, education, and research. Guided by the mission “Inspiring hope and promoting health through integrated clinical practice, education and research,” Mayo Clinic’s pharmacy enterprise is among the most comprehensive in the nation.
Pharmacists are embedded across inpatient, clinic, and virtual settings, delivering direct patient care and safety in areas such as emergency medicine, intensive care, psychiatry, oncology, primary care, infectious diseases, and chronic disease management. Mayo Clinic pharmacists practice at the top of their license to ensure optimal outcomes for every patient.
“Mayo Clinic is a shining example of how board certification can enhance the quality and impact of pharmacy practice. Mayo Clinic pharmacists are integral members of the health care team, collaborating with other providers and patients to deliver optimal outcomes.”
Sara A. Thompson, PharmD, MEd, BCACP
Director of Pharmacy
Education and Academic Affairs
Mayo Clinic
Advancing Pharmacy Practice Through Specialization
At Mayo Clinic, the Department of Pharmacy is a vital collaborator in advancing patient care through integrated practice, education, and research. Guided by the mission “Inspiring hope and promoting health through integrated clinical practice, education and research,” Mayo Clinic’s pharmacy enterprise is among the most comprehensive in the nation.
Pharmacists are embedded across inpatient, clinic, and virtual settings, delivering direct patient care and safety in areas such as emergency medicine, intensive care, psychiatry, oncology, primary care, infectious diseases, and chronic disease management. Mayo Clinic pharmacists practice at the top of their license to ensure optimal outcomes for every patient.
Why Board Certification Matters
Board certification has become a cornerstone of Mayo Clinic’s approach to advancing pharmacy practice, supporting both quality of care and workforce development. At Mayo Clinic, more than 250 pharmacists are board certified across more than a dozen specialties. These specialists lead clinical services, conduct research, and educate the next generation of practitioners. Certification demonstrates advanced knowledge, a commitment to excellence, and lifelong learning – all of which strengthen the trust patients place in their care.
A Culture That Supports Certification
Mayo Clinic actively creates a culture that supports initial certification and recertification through encouraging review courses, study groups, and mentorship. Additionally, financial incentives and public recognition are reflected in the following approaches:
- In 2023, Mayo Clinic Career Investment Program expanded to provide financial reimbursement for pharmacists who successfully pass a BPS exam.
- Certification is strongly considered in career advancement opportunities.
- Those achieving board certification are publicly recognized at the point of certification and daily as the BPS credentials are proudly displayed in Mayo Clinic’s electronic directory and on name badges demonstrating its importance in the pharmacy workforce.
Impact Across the Enterprise
The impact of the emphasis on specialization is evident across Mayo Clinic sites nationwide, spanning, Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Certified pharmacists have:
- Helped expand hospital services
- Seamlessly integrated into primary and specialty care teams
- Strengthened collaborative care models
By prioritizing board certification, Mayo Clinic ensures pharmacists are equipped to deliver safe, evidence-based, and patient-centered care, setting a benchmark for excellence in healthcare.
Putting Patients First
At its core, Mayo Clinic’s commitment to board certification reflects the organization’s enduring value that “the needs of the patient comes first.”
Through investment in specialized training, workforce development, and lifelong learning, Mayo Clinic pharmacists advance innovation, uphold excellence, and contribute to the healthcare model. More information about the Mayo Clinic can be found here.
Mayo Clinic was named the 2025 BPS Beacon Award Recipient. They also shared their perspective on why investing in excellence is the right thing to do on the BPS Board-Certified Pharmacist Podcast in June 2025.
“The Mayo Clinic Pharmacy Department has been a leader in implementing evidence-based practices and collaborative care models. Their efforts have not only improved patient outcomes but have also set a benchmark for other health systems to follow."
Rob Wermers, MD
Chair, Enterprise Pharmacy
and Therapeutics Committee
Mayo Clinic
Impact Across the Enterprise
The impact of the emphasis on specialization is evident across Mayo Clinic sites nationwide, spanning, Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Certified pharmacists have:
- Helped expand hospital services
- Seamlessly integrated into primary and specialty care teams
- Strengthened collaborative care models
By prioritizing board certification, Mayo Clinic ensures pharmacists are equipped to deliver safe, evidence-based, and patient-centered care, setting a benchmark for excellence in healthcare.
Putting Patients First
At its core, Mayo Clinic’s commitment to board certification reflects the organization’s enduring value that “the needs of the patient comes first.”
Through investment in specialized training, workforce development, and lifelong learning, Mayo Clinic pharmacists advance innovation, uphold excellence, and contribute to the healthcare model. More information about the Mayo Clinic can be found here.
Mayo Clinic was named the 2025 BPS Beacon Award Recipient. They also shared their perspective on why investing in excellence is the right thing to do on the BPS Board-Certified Pharmacist Podcast in June 2025.