10/12/2022

Ernie Boyd Retires as Ohio Pharmacists Association Executive Director

OPA has employed a past president of the board an interim ED

Ernest Boyd, R.Ph., PharmD (Hon), CAE has announced his retirement as the executive director of the Ohio Pharmacists Association (OPA) effective Oct. 7, 2022.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed being the Executive Director for the last 34 years,” Boyd said. “Unfortunately, some health-related issues have made it necessary for me to expedite my retirement. I know that the Association is in great hands with the current staff and elected leadership.”

The OPA Board of Trustees has selected OPA past president and Ohio Pharmacists Foundation Board member Donald Bennett, R.Ph., MBA to serve as the interim executive director during the search process for a new executive director. Bennett, who served as president of the association from 1999-2000 and has served on the OPA Foundation Board since 2000, is also past president of the Ohio Society of Health-System Pharmacy. He was director of pharmacy at Mount Carmel Medical Center in Columbus from 1977-2004, managing a staff of 90 and $16 million budget.

“I want to thank Ernie for his exemplary leadership of the association for the past three decades,” Bennett said. “Along with current and past elected officers, board members, committee volunteers and hardworking staff, Ernie has led Ohio in becoming a model state for the progressive practice of pharmacy. I hope to serve as a bridge --hopefully a short one -- between Ernie's legacy and the next Executive Director.”

“Don Bennett knows the association inside and out and is a great manager," said Boyd. "He will do an excellent job managing the association while the board searches for my replacement.”

“We are sincerely grateful for Ernie’s leadership over the past 30-plus years," said OPA President Aimee O’Reilly. "His efforts have made Ohio a premiere state to practice the profession of pharmacy. We look forward to continuing his legacy for years to come. OPA leadership and I will be working diligently to find the next great leader of our association.”