Behind the Scenes of the Research Pharmacy Summit
Celebrating Six Years of Innovation, Collaboration, and Excellence
McCreadie Group’s Annual Research Pharmacy Summit (RPS) has become the leading event designed exclusively for Investigational Drug Service (IDS) practitioners. Now in its sixth year, the summit continues to advance knowledge, drive innovation, and foster collaboration within the research pharmacy community. We at McCreadie Group are proud of how the Research Pharmacy Summit serves the IDS community. To celebrate its continued growth and impact, I sat down with key members of our RPS team to uncover the secret behind the summit’s success—and how it has become a vital space for the research pharmacy community.
How It Started
I asked Mike Schlesselman, PharmD, Chief Operating Officer at McCreadie Group, what inspired the creation of the summit.
“In 2020, McCreadie Group recognized a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the research pharmacy community. As we attended various conferences, we realized there wasn’t a dedicated space for research pharmacy practitioners to learn, share best practices, and tackle common challenges together. This insight led to the creation of the Research Pharmacy Summit.”
The summit began as a virtual event during the pandemic, but the format stuck. Mike explained:
“Our goal has always been to bring the research pharmacy community together, and the virtual format has helped us do that by making the event more affordable and accessible—so entire IDS teams can attend. We’re always listening to our attendees, and if there’s growing interest in an in-person experience, we’ll definitely explore that.”
How It’s Evolving
Each year, the summit’s program grows in depth and diversity. Rachael Aletti, PharmD, Solutions Engineer at McCreadie Group, is the architect behind the summit’s programming.
“We’ve shaped the summit to meet the real-world needs of IDS professionals. That means offering content tailored to every role, site size, and level of experience. We’ve expanded the program to include inspiring keynotes and introduced the RPS Award to celebrate excellence within our community. Collaboration is key—and since our Sharing Solutions discussion rooms are always a favorite, we’ve added post-session breakout rooms to keep those great conversations going.”
The Key to Success
From humble beginnings in 2020 with 142 attendees, the summit has grown by 161%, reaching nearly 400 attendees in 2024. With a 98% approval rating, it’s clear the summit is hitting the mark.
I asked Jennifer Drabing, Senior Communications Manager and the person behind the event’s execution, what makes the summit so successful.
“The answer is people. We’re fortunate to have so many leading experts contributing—22 speakers this year, and just as many discussion leaders. Our team is led by IDS professionals, supported by an incredibly creative and tech-savvy crew, and driven by a shared commitment to the research pharmacy community.”
Jen also credits the attendees:
“The feedback we receive each year is invaluable. It helps us grow the summit into something even more impactful.”
The Future of RPS
As the Research Pharmacy Summit continues to grow, McCreadie Group remains focused on supporting the evolving needs of IDS professionals. By staying actively engaged with the research pharmacy community and listening closely to attendee feedback, they are shaping the summit to remain relevant, inclusive, and impactful.
Sara Brueck Nichols, MHA, President of McCreadie Group, shares this about reaching the six-year milestone:
“We’re proud of how the Research Pharmacy Summit has grown—not just in size, but in impact. It’s become a space where IDS professionals can come together to share ideas, solve challenges, and drive innovation. As we look ahead, our focus remains on listening to the community and ensuring the summit meets their needs.”