2008 Annual Convention Speakers

Susan Alverson, D.P.A., M.H.P.
Associate Dean, Director of Continuing Education, McWhorter School of Pharmacy

Susan Alverson is presently the Associate Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs and Director of Continuing Education at Samford University, McWhorter School of Pharmacy.  Her BS degree in pharmacy is from the University of Wisconsin; she obtained a masters in hospital pharmacy form Virginia Commonwealth University, and then a masters and doctorate in public administration from the University of Southern California.  At present Dr. Alverson teaches pharmacy math, sterile products, and a course in leadership at Samford.  She also offers a seven month course in all aspects of pharmacy through the Samford Metro program for pharmacy technicians.  She is the primary instructor in an AlSHP certification exam preparatory class for technicians. 

Her work history includes hospital and community pharmacy in both administration and practice roles, as well as in long-term care consulting, home health infusion and director of a program for addicts.  While in Virginia, she served as director of pharmacy for state and local public health system pharmacies. 

Dr. Alverson has four times received the award of “teacher of the year” as voted by the graduating pharmacy class.  She serves as a member of the Alabama Board of Pharmacy Co-RIP board, is a member of both the Alabama Pharmacy Association and the Alabama Society of Health Systems Pharmacists.  She is married to Jeff Alverson, and they are parents to three children.

Ally Dering-Anderson, Pharm.D.

Walgreens, Lincoln, NE

Dr. Ally Dering-Anderson is currently a vampire pharmacist at Walgreens in Lincoln, NE.  Prior to working for Walgreens she served as the Assistant Executive Director for the Nebraska Pharmacists Association and ran the Nebraska State Medicaid Drug Use Review Program.  Ally is a 1986 graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Pharmacy and a 1983 graduate of Doane College in Crete, Nebraska.  Ally's daughter, Jolyn, will start at the UNMC College of Pharmacy in the fall.

View the Dealing with Difficult People program handout

Daniel G. Bowman, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Executive Director, Personal Relationships, Inc.

Dr. Bowman has practiced as a clinical psychologist in Birmingham for twelve years.  He works with all types of psychological problems (anxiety, depression, substance abuse, child and family issues), with a special emphasis on Eating Disorders and Sport Psychology.  He teaches Sport Psychology at Samford University and has helped numerous professional, college, and elite athletes improve their performances.  Dr. Bowman also helps executives and companies achieve their potential as a corporate coach.    

Dr. Bowman graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Davidson College and played college football on scholarship.  He received his Ph.D. from the University of Alabama, where he was on a fellowship and received numerous academic awards.  Dr. Bowman has published nine journal articles and a book chapter.  He conducts therapy with adults, teens, and children.

P. David Brackett, Pharm.D., BCPS

Clinical Director, Early Experiential Education, Harrison School of Pharmacy

P. David Brackett, PharmD, BCPS is Clinical Director, Early Experiential Education and Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy. He provides oversight and clinical guidance to first, second and third year students and faculty mentors involved in Auburn’s community based Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) program. Dave has held this position on faculty at Auburn since 2005. In addition to the experiential learning program, Dr. Brackett continues to engage in primary care pharmacy practice and to teach various topics in therapeutics. He practices clinical pharmacy at the Auburn University Pharmaceutical Care Center where he is involved in wellness and medication therapy management. In addition to his role with IPPE, Dr. Brackett teaches students in the 4th year advanced practice experiences, the pharmacy skills lab and the Integrated Pharmacotherapy course.

Dr. Brackett received a BS in Biology from Jacksonville University in 1990 and then his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Florida in 1995. He then completed an ASHP accredited Pharmacy Practice Residency at Shands at University of Florida. After his residency he worked two years as a Clinical Team Leader at Mobile Infirmary Medical Center in Mobile, Alabama and then four years as Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy. During his previous time at Auburn, Dr. Brackett maintained a primary care clinical practice at Columbus Regional’s Outpatient Clinic. Prior to returning to Auburn in 2005, Dave worked an additional 3 years in the primary care setting at Columbus Regional Healthcare System where he started a new clinical pharmacy practice at Valley Healthcare, the community health center in Columbus. During this time, he was also engaged in collaborative pharmacotherapy management in the Columbus Regional Family Medicine Center. In every practice setting, Dr. Brackett has provided clinical pharmacy services for patients with chronic medical problems such as hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, anticoagulation, hyperlipidemia, asthma/COPD and wellness.

Craig M. Burridge, M.S., CAE

Executive Director, Pharmacists Society of the State of New York

Craig M. Burridge has been the Executive Director of the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York since 1993. He is a graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Craig attended the London School of Economics and Political Science on scholarship and has his Master of Science in Public Service Degree from Russell Sage College. Craig has earned his Certified Association Executive designation in 1998 from the American Society of Association Executives and was re-certified in 2001, 2004 & 2007. From 1983-87, Craig worked as a Senior Legislative Analyst for the New York State Senate Minority Leader’s Office. From 1987-93, he was the Executive Director of the New York State Association of Renewal & Housing Officials, Inc. Craig recently served as President of the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations. On April 18, Craig announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in NY’s 21st Congressional District.

Tim R. Covington, M.S., Pharm.D.

President and CEO, Covington Healthcare Associates, LLC

Prior to his current position, Dr. Covington served as Executive Director of the Managed Care Institute (1993-2006).  Dr. Covington has served in a variety of advisory and consulting roles with corporate America, public agencies, national associations, insurers and managed care plans.  Additionally, Dr. Covington has chaired pharmacy practice departments at the University of Oklahoma, the West Virginia University Medical Center and Samford University.

Dr. Covington has held elected and appointed offices in two national pharmacy organizations.  He is the recipient of five national recognition awards.  Dr. Covington is the author of six books, contributor to nine other books and author of more than 160 professional and scientific articles.  Dr. Covington received graduate degrees from the University of Texas and the University of Michigan.

View the Self-Care Solutions to Cover Individuals during Coverage Gap program handout

Michael Hogue, Pharm.D.

Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice, McWhorter School of Pharmacy

Michael Hogue, PharmD is an assistant professor of pharmacy practice and the assistant director of the Institute for Public Health and Pharmacy at Samford University's McWhorter School of Pharmacy.  Michael was one of the original authors of the American Pharmacists Association's Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery national certificate training program, and continues to actively teach the curriculum. 

Author of a number of books, book chapters and manuscripts on immunizations and pharmacy management topics, Michael is highly recognized nationally as an expert in the areas of medication therapy management and compensation for pharmacists' non-dispensing services. He currently serves the profession on the Pharmacy Services Technical Advisory Committee, representing APhA on this intraorganization task force designed to address payment issues for pharmacists services. 

View Update on Adult Immunizations program handout

Kelli D. Littlejohn, R.Ph., Pharm.D.

Director, Pharmacy Services, Alabama Medicaid Agency

Kelli (Osborne) Littlejohn, R.Ph., Pharm.D., currently serves the practice of pharmacy as the Director of Pharmacy for the Alabama Medicaid Agency.  Dr. Littlejohn is also proud to serve the profession as the Alabama Pharmacy Association Academy of Pharmacy Practice Chair and Board of Trustees.

Kelli’s 13+ years of professional pharmacy experience includes long term care pharmacy (Unicare), as well as community pharmacy (Harco Drugs/Rite Aid and Winn-Dixie).  She is a graduate of Snead State Community College (SGA/Treasurer, Baptist Campus Ministries/President), Auburn University School of Pharmacy (Association of Students of Pharmacy/Vice President, Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity/Secretary, Phi Lambda Sigma), and Arkansas University School of Medical Sciences.  Dr. Littlejohn currently serves her community through her work with the Lung Association and Camp WheezeAway, a summer camp for asthmatic children. 

Kelli, her husband, James (also a pharmacist), and son Luke reside in Montgomery, Alabama, and are active members of Taylor Road Baptist Church. 

View the Alabama Medicaid Update program handout

Charles C. Thomas, BPharm, R.Ph., FAPhA

State Pharmacy Director, Alabama Department of Public Health

Charlie Thomas, BPharm, R.Ph, currently serves as the Pharmacy Director for the Alabama Department of Public Health. As State Pharmacy Director his primary responsibility is to write and oversee implementation of dispensing pharmaceuticals in 67 County Health Departments. He joined the Public Health Department in 1997 and has been a team leader for emergency preparation and training activities conducted in the state. Charlie is supervisor for the Controlled Substances Database in Alabama.  In addition, he is an active participant in Regional and National Disaster Planning Activities.  Pharmacist Thomas is a 1965 graduate of the Auburn University School of Pharmacy is a licensed consultant pharmacist and has completed training in diabetes and immunizations.  Prior to working for the Department of Public Health, Charlie practiced in community pharmacy for over 35 years, and was the owner of a community pharmacy in Huntsville, Alabama, for the last 10 years. 

Charlie Thomas is a Past President of the Alabama Pharmacy Association, Alabama State Board of Pharmacy and Auburn University School of Pharmacy Alumni Association.  He currently serves as an Affiliate Faculty Member for both Auburn University and Samford University schools of pharmacy and serves on the School’s Dean’s Advisory Committee for both schools.  Charlie Thomas founded Phi Lambda Sigma, the national pharmacy leadership society while at Auburn.  He is an active member of the American Pharmacists Association having served as Chair of the APhA-APPM Community/Ambulatory Section, Delegate to the House of Delegates, member of the APhA Strategic Directions Committee, APhA-PAC and on numerous Advisory Committees.  Charlie Thomas is a Fellow of the American Pharmacists Association and is the 2005 recipient of the APhA-ASP Linwood F. Tice Friend of the Academy of Student Pharmacists National Award.  He is active in community organizations including having served on the Board of Trustees for the Catholic Services of Montgomery and member of the Rotary Club.  He is a strong advocate for the role pharmacists can play in improving the public health of our nation and has participated in numerous programs to discuss this issue.

View Not If, But When: Preparing Pharmacists for an Influenza Pandemic program handout

John R. Wible, J.D.

General Counsel, Alabama Department of Public Health

John Wible, J.D., currently serves as the General Counsel for the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), a position he has held since 1988. In his 33 years of professional service with ADPH, John has served six Attorneys General and five Governors.  As the Chief Legal Officer to the Department of Public Health, he supervises all litigation; drafts and reviews Department legislation; manages Department’s rule-making procedures; serves as bioterrorism counsel; and serves as the HIPAA privacy officer. 

John’s interests include bible study and theology, competitive running, health and nutrition, and music.  He has completed 31 marathons and two Half Iron-Man Triathlons.  John plays the guitar and various brass instruments and is a member of the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band Association.

View The Ethics of a Disaster program handout

View The Ethics of a Disaster presentation