May 3 was an important day in pharmacy history—at least to those of us here at APhA. May 3, 1817, was the birth date of William Procter, Jr., the Father of American Pharmacy. And on May 3, 1941, the statue of Procter in the Rotunda at APhA headquarters was dedicated. So to commemorate both of these occasions, we held a small celebration in the Rotunda last Tuesday, May 3. George Griffenhagen, former editor of the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association and 1991 Remington Medalist, was on hand to provide a bit of historical perspective for staff and to blow out the candles on Procter’s birthday cakes. As the photos show, we had a good turnout. Thanks to APhA staff Brian Lawson, Marlena Edwards, Gwen Norheim, Scott Neitzke, and Linda Gainey for organizing the event.

When Gwen Norheim, our Senior Knowledge Management Specialist, identified the point in history, I seized the opportunity as a way to bring a little more of our incredible history to life. I think it’s important for our staff to fully appreciate where we are and the links to our past that make our work so critical to our future.

Take a look at the cakes the team put together. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone (George) blow out candles on a 194th birthday cake!