KINGSTON, R.I. — Jan. 29, 2026 — Pharmacists from around the region will earn valuable continuing education credits while discussing some of the most pressing current pharmacy and health care issues during the 41st annual Seminar By the Sea Northeast Regional Conference presented by the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy’s Office of Health Care Workforce Development.
Registration is now open for the college’s flagship continuing education event of the year, which is scheduled for March 19-20 at the Newport Marriott Hotel and Spa, 25 America’s Cup Ave, Newport. More than 300 pharmacists and other health care professionals from throughout New England are expected to attend this year’s hybrid conference, “From Data to Dialogue: Where Science Meets Patient Care.” The event includes up to 15 contact hours of continuing education credit for pharmacists, as well as opportunities for professional networking with colleagues and health care industry representatives in meeting rooms and in the exhibit hall.
This year’s Seminar By the Sea will include presentations on such topics as hypertension and cardiovascular disease, lung disease, machine learning for clinicians, the use of artificial intelligence in pharmacy practice, and the use of social media in pharmaceutical communication, among others. The seminar will also include updates to pharmacy regulations, immunization policies, pharmacy law, and medication safety policies, as well as a preceptor workshop focused on supporting graduate readiness for the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX).
“High-quality continuing education is essential to advancing health and supporting the communities pharmacists serve,” said M-J Kanaczet, director of health care workforce development at the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy. “Seminar by the Sea is designed to strengthen the pharmacy workforce by translating evidence, policy, and emerging technologies into practical strategies for patient-centered care.”
Speakers scheduled to present, including professionals from academia and the health care field, are:
- Philip Chan, associate professor, Brown University School of Medicine; consultant medical director, Rhode Island Department of Health.
- Tara Higgins, senior clinical consultant, Pharmaceutical Strategies Group.
- Sean Jeffrey, professor, University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy; director of pharmacy, Hartford Healthcare Group.
- Makoto Jones, professor, University of Utah School of Medicine; staff physician, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System.
- Brianna Kimball, clinical pharmacy specialist, Care New England; adjunct clinical assistant professor, URI College of Pharmacy.
- Jerome Larkin, director, Rhode Island Department of Health.
- Bernice Man, clinical pharmacy manager, University of Chicago School of Medicine.
- Christina Michalek, director of membership, The Institute for Safe Medication Practice.
- Amy Nunn, professor of behavioral and social sciences, Brown University School of Public Health.
- Rhonda Pacheco, president, Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
- Baley Rochefort, clinical pharmacist, Brown University Health.
- Matthew Samore, professor, University of Utah School of Medicine.
- Celia Wright, clinical pharmacy specialist, Kent Memorial Hospital.
The conference is designed for pharmacists in all health care settings, health care students, residents, fellows, and other interested health care providers. Continuing education credit is provided for pharmacists only. The in-person luncheon on March 19 will include the annual presentation of the Dr. Norman A. Campbell Award for Ethics and Excellence in Healthcare, given to pharmacists and health care professionals who have displayed high ethics and integrity over the course of their career.
Conference participants will be able to attend the seminar in person in Newport and virtually via Zoom Events. For more information and to register for the conference, visit the Office of Health Care Workforce Development’s website.