Janet Engle, Pharm.D., FAPhA, associate dean for academic affairs and clinical professor of pharmacy practice, took over as president of the American Pharmaceutical Association—the oldest and largest professional association of pharmacists in the United States.

Engle was elected AphA president by the organization's general membership. Her three-year term began in March 2001. Engle will add the duties of her newly elected position to her ongoing responsibilities in the UIC College of Pharmacy.

"Pharmacists can play a crucial part in improving health care and quality of life in this country," said Engle. "We need to redesign community pharmacy practice to reduce errors, enhance patient care, provide appropriate over-the-counter services, and reach the desired therapeutic outcomes for patients."

The AphA promotes comprehensive pharmaceutical care and serves as a national advocate for the pharmacist's role in improving health care. The association's fifty thousand members include practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, pharmacy students, pharmacy technicians, and others interested in advancing the profession.

A member of the association since her freshman year in pharmacy school, Engle served as an elected officer in each leadership position within the AphA's Academy of Pharmacy Practice and Management, including president. Moreover, she completed two terms on the organization's board of trustees, and was coeditor of the twelfth edition of AphA's Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs.