Ole Miss Pharmacy Alumna Appointed to National Immunization Advisory Committee
Hillary Blackburn appointment marks milestone for pharmacy profession
OXFORD, Miss. – University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy alumna Hillary Blackburn has been appointed to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the federal panel that provides guidance to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine recommendations.
Blackburn is the first pharmacist ever appointed to the committee, marking a historic achievement for the profession and her alma mater.
“It’s a profound honor and responsibility,” Blackburn said. “It’s not lost on me that vaccine policy affects millions of lives, and I take that charge seriously. Professionally, it’s an opportunity to represent the pharmacy profession on the national stage and to help ensure access, safety and implementation are considered in every recommendation.”
Blackburn currently serves as director of medication access and affordability at AscensionRX, the national pharmacy arm of Ascension. In her role, she leads initiatives to ensure patients, particularly those who are uninsured or underinsured, can access the medications they need.
Her professional background spans hospital, community, specialty and health plan settings, with a career-long focus on medication access, innovation and advocacy.
Appointed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACIP members serve four-year terms. During her tenure, Blackburn hopes to bring the perspective of pharmacists, who administer the majority of adult vaccines in the U.S., to the committee’s discussions.
“Pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare providers and play a vital role in vaccine delivery,” she said. “I hope to bring the on-the-ground perspective of how vaccine recommendations translate into practice, how access barriers can be reduced and how communication can build patient trust.
“I also bring the perspective of a parent, understanding how families think about vaccine decisions and the importance of shared decision-making.”
Blackburn’s passion for public health stems from years of working to address barriers to care and expand access to preventive services.
“Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools we have in preventive health,” she said. “As a pharmacist who has administered hundreds of vaccines, I understand both the science and the importance of trust in those conversations.”
Through the onboarding process, Blackburn was pleased to see how strictly conflicts of interest are handled, with members prohibited from holding any financial ties to pharmaceutical companies, including stock ownership or honoraria.
A 2011 UM Doctor of Pharmacy graduate, Blackburn credits the school’s emphasis on service and innovation for shaping her career path.
“The School of Pharmacy gave me a strong foundation in both clinical knowledge and purpose,” Blackburn said. “The faculty connected me with alumnus Jimmy Mitchell for an internship at the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Office of Pharmacy Affairs in Washington, D.C., which opened my eyes to the broader impact pharmacists can have on communities. That mindset has guided my entire career.”
Donna Strum, dean of the School of Pharmacy, celebrated Blackburn’s appointment for both the profession of pharmacy and the school.
“Dr. Blackburn’s appointment to the committee is an extraordinary accomplishment and a proud moment for our school,” Strum said. “This achievement reflects both the leadership and the vital role pharmacists play in protecting community health.”
Blackburn, who also holds an MBA, views her appointment as a watershed moment for the profession.
“It demonstrates that pharmacists are essential contributors to national health policy and public health,” she said. “Our role in vaccine access, education and trust-building is being recognized at the highest levels, and I hope this encourages other pharmacists to see the breadth of influence and leadership potential our profession holds.”