Scott is recognized for his outstanding, career-long contributions to pharmacy leadership

By Katie Ginder-Vogel

Throughout his distinguished 40-year career, Bruce Scott (BS ’79) has helped shape the future of health-system pharmacy — as a mentor, leader, advocate, and visionary. Now, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) is recognizing his extraordinary contributions with one of its highest honors: a 2025 Board of Directors’ Honorary Membership Award. Honorary members are elected for life by a unanimous vote of the ASHP Board of Directors.

“It’s one of those things you never think about getting, and when it happens, it’s a wonderful recognition,” Scott says. “I am honored that ASHP recognizes my contributions.”  

Over the course of his career — which included health system, pharmacy benefit management, and specialty pharmacy leadership — Scott has left a lasting imprint on ASHP, including a term as president and years of service on the Board of Directors. At the same time, he’s remained deeply engaged with his alma mater, serving on the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Pharmacy’s Board of Visitors since 2007 and mentoring generations of future pharmacists.

“It’s an opportunity to have those conversations with young leaders and give back. At this point in my career, that’s one of the things I cherish the most.”
—Bruce Scott

His celebrated career has earned numerous accolades, including the 2019 Harvey A.K. Whitney Lecture Award — regarded as the highest honor in health-system pharmacy — and the 1998 John Webb Lecture Award from ASHP. He has also received the Hallie Bruce Memorial Lecture Award from the Minnesota Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the Harold Godwin Leadership Legacy Award from the University of Kansas, and a 2001 Citation of Merit and 2023 Alumnus of the Year Award from the UW–Madison School of Pharmacy.

Scott is honored not just by the recognition, but also by the opportunity to serve alongside ASHP’s many dedicated members.

“Staff and volunteer members devote time and energy to ASHP, and everyone should be commended for that,” Scott says. “So many people do such a great job, and they’re really the caretakers of the pharmacy profession. It’s a never-ending, nonstop role.”

A commitment to ASHP

First inducted as a fellow of ASHP in 1994, Scott spent six years on the ASHP board, from 1995 until 2001. He served as ASHP president from 1999 to 2000, when the organization advocated for systematic improvements to medication safety, new protocols for checking and verifying medication doses, and health system pharmacists’ roles in safety policymaking.

“The organization has played a big role in how I evolved in my career,” he says. “It’s a great organization today and has been for decades.”

Scott also spent four years on the ASHP Foundation board; was a member of ASHP’s Task Force on Racial Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which worked from 2020-2021 to develop actionable, sustainable recommendations for ASHP’s DEI efforts; and has participated in the ASHP Visiting Leaders Program for nearly six years in a mentor capacity.

“The program allows people in the later stages of their careers to meet with pharmacy residents and organizational leaders and discuss multiple topics,” Scott says. “It’s all about exposing young leaders of tomorrow to people who have traveled a career path that may be similar to their journey.”

Scott says the wide-ranging conversations cover topics including leadership experiences, career preparation, difficult decisions, and visionary conversations on the direction of the pharmacy profession and important issues to resolve in the future.

“It’s an opportunity to have those conversations with young leaders and give back,” says Scott. “At this point in my career, that’s one of the things I cherish the most.”

He credits his many mentors for his success, as well as his motivation for continually offering his support and guidance to ascending pharmacy leaders.

“David Zilz (BS ’62, MS ’64), Tom Thielke (BS ’67, MS ’69), and Pamela Ploetz (BS ’68) have been lifelong, career-long mentors for me,” he says. “David Zilz and Sara White, who passed away last year, taught me during my career to give back, and I think this award shows that I listened to them. I’ve been extremely fortunate to have people like Sara, Dave, Pam, and Tom in my life and career.”

Staying connected to the field of pharmacy 

When Scott talks with young leaders, he always encourages them to get involved in professional organizations like ASHP. 

“You get so much more in return than you give,” Scott says. “It’s provides access to a better professional network than you could ever dream of, in terms of the people you meet and the people who are willing to have a conversation with you about your current practice, your career, or an issue you’re trying to address.” 

Scott also points out the organization’s power. 

“You learn so many different skills as you get actively involved in your professional organization,” Scott says. “I think it provides a great opportunities for anyone who chooses to engage.” 

Since Scott retired as president of EnvisionPharmacies in 2018, he has enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling with his wife, and serving on boards of different organizations, including the School of Pharmacy’s Board of Visitors. He serves on other boards, all related to healthcare, including an organization in home health care infusion therapies, a healthcare technology company, and a healthcare accreditation company.

“I found I’ve enjoyed board work, and I really enjoy serving on the Board of Visitors,” he says. “I enjoy it in terms of strategic thinking, and it also keeps me very connected with the profession and the School of Pharmacy.”