CPESN NY, LLC Announces Kara Smith as President-Elect

Buffalo, N.Y. October 1, 2026 — The CPESN NY Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Kara Smith, PharmD, as President-Elect. Smith will work alongside current President John Croce through December 2026 before assuming the role of President in January 2027.

Smith brings over 20 years of community pharmacy leadership experience, serving diverse patient populations in both urban and rural settings, including 10 years as the owner of an independent community pharmacy in Western New York. For more than four years, she held several key roles with CPESN NY, including Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Sustainability Coordinator, Billing and Contracting Assistant, and Regional Facilitator for Upstate and Western New York.

During her time with CPESN NY, Smith has helped develop and implement pharmacy team training programs and quality assurance standards, while representing the network nationally as a subject-matter expert in DSMES. As President-Elect, Smith will collaborate closely with Croce and the leadership team to support ongoing initiatives, strengthen the network’s strategic priorities, and ensure a smooth transition when she assumes the presidency in January 2027.

“I am honored to serve as President of CPESN NY and to build on the work this network has accomplished. Having spent my career in community pharmacy and seeing firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing independent pharmacies, I look forward to collaborating with our members, leadership team, and partners. Together, we can expand services, strengthen the network, and continue advancing the role of community pharmacy in patient care,” said Smith.

“Kara brings valuable experience to this role, both as an independent pharmacy owner and through her work with CPESN NY. Her involvement in clinical service development and network operations has given her a strong understanding of the organization and the needs of our members. I welcome the opportunity to work alongside Kara during this transition and support her as she leads CPESN NY into its next chapter,” said John Croce, President of CPESN NY.

CPESN NY remains committed to supporting its member pharmacies through innovative programs, strategic partnerships, and resources that help them adapt to evolving needs, expand clinical services, and shape the future of community pharmacy.

About CPESN NY, LLC

CPESN NY, LLC / IPA is a registered healthcare entity and independent practice association within New York State. Comprising a growing network of independent community pharmacies, CPESN NY is structured to advance pharmacy practice by empowering local, deeply rooted pharmacies to deliver high-quality, patient-centered enhanced clinical services. Network pharmacies collaborate closely with care teams to coordinate medical treatment, resulting in superior medication adherence, increased patient satisfaction, and reduced overall healthcare expenditures. CPESN NY is an affiliate network of CPESN® USA, a nationwide network of community pharmacy providers. To learn more, visit www.cpesnny.com.