The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) announced Binghamton University's Wesley Kufel as one of the recipients of the seventh annual BPS Seed Grants. The BPS Research Seed Grant program offers up to two $5,000 grants to any pharmacist or investigator conducting a project examining the impact and value of pharmacist board certification. 

"The results of our research will benchmark the current state of U.S. PharmD program involvement in educating PharmD students about board certification and report where interventions are currently being delivered," said Kufel, a clinical associate professor of pharmacy practice. "Gaps and opportunities for increasing awareness, knowledge and opportunities that board certification brings to graduating students and practice advancement may help increase the number of early career pharmacists who seek board certification.

The mission of BPS is to improve patient care by positioning BPS board-certified pharmacist specialists as integral members of multidisciplinary healthcare teams, through recognition and promotion of specialized training, knowledge and skills for pharmacists in the U.S. and internationally.

Kufel is collaborating with Binghamton's Sarah Spinler, a professor of pharmacy practice; Jacob C. Govel, a fourth-year pharmacy student at SOPPS; and Bruce E. Blaine, from the University of Rochester, to conduct a project titled "Board Certification Exposure and Awareness Among United States Doctor of Pharmacy Programs."

"There are currently 15 board certifications in pharmacy specialties, including cardiology, oncology, infectious disease, emergency medicine and pain management pharmacy," Spinler said. "The number of pharmacists who become board certified in the U.S. is growing exponentially. It is unknown where students learn about this important career opportunity. Our research will help identify where gaps and opportunities exist."

Gary Yee, the BPS board of directors chair-elect, expressed his support for Kufel's research.

"The research projects funded by the BPS Research Seed Grant represent an essential step toward deepening our understanding of the impact board certification has on pharmacy practice and patient care. By supporting these innovative projects, BPS reaffirms its commitment to advancing the profession through evidence-based research and ensuring that board certification continues to bring tangible value to pharmacists, healthcare teams, and patients alike," Yee said.

The investigators will submit a final report to BPS in December 2026. More information about previous awardees and BPS Seed Grants can be found here.