ASHP Names Samuel Calabrese CEO, Signals Focus on Workforce and Standards

BETHESDA, MD – March 19, 2026 – The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) today announced it has appointed Samuel V. Calabrese, BSPharm, MBA, FASHP, CPEL, as its new executive vice president and chief executive officer. The appointment, effective May 1, 2026, marks a pivotal leadership transition for the nation’s largest association of pharmacy professionals. Calabrese will become the fifth CEO in the organization's 84-year history, succeeding longtime leader Paul W. Abramowitz, who retired earlier this year.

The selection of Calabrese, an internal leader with decades of experience in both high-level hospital administration and professional standard-setting, signals a strategic focus on strengthening the pharmacy workforce and advancing practice models to meet the demands of a complex healthcare landscape.

A New Helmsman with Deep Roots

Calabrese is a familiar and highly respected figure within ASHP, bringing a wealth of experience that spans the spectrum of pharmacy practice. Most recently, he served as vice president of the ASHP Office of Accreditation Services, a critical role where he oversaw the accreditation processes for more than 3,000 pharmacy residency programs and 250 technician training programs across the country. This position placed him at the epicenter of shaping the future pharmacy workforce.

Before joining the ASHP executive team in 2023, Calabrese spent 25 years in progressively senior leadership roles at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic Health System. His tenure culminated in the position of executive chief pharmacy officer, where he was responsible for a massive pharmacy enterprise with a significant drug budget and thousands of employees across a multi-state and international network. His practical, on-the-ground experience also includes serving as a residency program director, directly mentoring the next generation of pharmacy leaders.

His commitment to the profession is further evidenced by a long and distinguished record of volunteer service to ASHP. Calabrese has served on the ASHP Board of Directors, the Commission on Affiliate Relations, and the Council of Pharmacy Management. He has been a prominent leader within the Section of Pharmacy Practice Leaders and has contributed his expertise as faculty for the ASHP Foundation’s Pharmacy Leadership Academy.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sam Calabrese as ASHP's CEO,” said ASHP President Melanie Dodd, PharmD, PhC, BCPS, FASHP, in a statement. “Sam is an exceptional leader. His deep experience in hospital and health-system pharmacy, commitment to supporting our pharmacy workforce, and unwavering dedication to ASHP's mission uniquely position him to lead the organization and guide ASHP into its next chapter of growth and impact on advancing the pharmacy profession and patient care.”

Inheriting a Strong Legacy and New Challenges

Calabrese steps in to lead an organization that saw significant growth and fortification under his predecessor, Paul W. Abramowitz. During Abramowitz’s nearly 15-year tenure, ASHP’s membership swelled from 35,000 to over 65,000 members, its financial health reached record levels, and its influence expanded through key initiatives like the “We’re Your Pharmacist” public awareness campaign. Abramowitz also steered the organization through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, cementing pharmacists’ roles on the front lines of public health.

While inheriting a robust organization, Calabrese will also face a formidable set of challenges confronting the pharmacy profession. Health systems nationwide are grappling with persistent workforce shortages of both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, leading to increased burnout. Furthermore, ASHP continues its long-standing advocacy on critical policy issues, including the fight against soaring drug prices, the defense of the 340B Drug Pricing Program, and the push to expand pharmacists' scope of practice to better serve patients.

Calabrese acknowledged the critical juncture at which he takes the helm. “I am honored to become ASHP's CEO at this pivotal time for the pharmacy workforce and patient care,” he stated. “ASHP has profoundly shaped my career and the profession and I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve our 65,000 members in this new capacity as we advance our shared mission and shape pharmacy's future.”

A Mandate for the Modern Pharmacy Workforce

Calabrese's recent leadership of ASHP’s accreditation services provides a clear window into his likely priorities. The accreditation of residency and technician training programs is the bedrock of professional competency and a primary lever for addressing workforce issues. These programs, which ASHP has cultivated for decades, are considered the gold standard for preparing practitioners for the complexities of modern patient care.

By overseeing the standards for thousands of training programs, Calabrese has been directly involved in ensuring the pharmacy pipeline produces professionals equipped with the necessary clinical skills, leadership abilities, and resilience. His experience in this domain suggests a continued, if not intensified, focus on expanding postgraduate training opportunities and advancing the roles of pharmacy technicians to build a more robust and capable workforce.

This focus aligns directly with ASHP’s strategic goals of making residency training a fundamental qualification for practice and leveraging the entire pharmacy team to optimize patient outcomes. His deep understanding of both the educational standards and the real-world demands of a large health system like Cleveland Clinic provides him a unique dual perspective to bridge the gap between education and practice.

Shaping the Future of Pharmacy Practice

Beyond workforce development, Calabrese’s appointment is poised to drive ASHP’s broader strategic plan, which emphasizes technology, innovation, and advancing patient care. As a co-author of the “ASHP Statement on the Roles and Responsibilities of the Pharmacy Executive,” he has already contributed to defining the strategic importance of pharmacy leadership within healthcare organizations.

His experience managing a vast pharmacy enterprise at Cleveland Clinic makes him intimately familiar with the operational and clinical imperatives of integrating new technologies, including artificial intelligence and data analytics, to improve medication safety and efficiency. As ASHP’s Innovation Center continues to guide the profession through a digital transformation, Calabrese's leadership will be crucial in ensuring pharmacists are not just participants but leaders in this evolution.

Ultimately, the selection of Samuel Calabrese represents a deliberate choice to install a leader who embodies the full lifecycle of the profession—from directing front-line care and managing large-scale health-system operations to shaping the foundational standards that develop future practitioners. His tenure will be defined by how he leverages this comprehensive expertise to empower the pharmacy workforce and solidify its indispensable role in the future of healthcare delivery.