2022 Distinguished Service to Pharmacy Award Winner
As a pharmacist, Micah Cost, PharmD, MS, believes strongly in the importance of health and wellness. Through homeschooling, his parents taught him the importance of self-direction and independent initiative.
As an Eagle Scout, honesty and integrity are essential elements of his personal life and professional career. Following his father’s career path as a pharmacist, Dr. Cost’s professional calling dedicates his time and efforts to improve the lives of others by building strong and lasting relationships to create a safer, happier, healthier, and more sustainable future for generations to come.
Dr. Cost earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy and a Master’s degree in pharmaceutical outcomes and health policy from the University of Florida. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Lipscomb University. A licensed and second-generation pharmacist, Dr. Cost is a native of Nashville, TN, who currently lives in Alexandria, VA.
Dr. Cost is the Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA). A seasoned healthcare association executive, he leads PQA’s work to improve medication safety, adherence, and appropriate use. Dr. Cost works with PQA’s 250 member organizations from across health care together to develop and implement quality measures, conduct research, and provide education that supports better medication use and high-quality care. Previously, he was executive director of the Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA), representing pharmacists and pharmacy professionals across all practice settings in the state. He was with TPA for 12 years and previously served as its director of professional affairs. Dr. Cost also served as board president of the Alliance for Patient Medication Safety (APMS); a federally registered patient safety organization focused on continuous quality improvement within the pharmacy community. APMS works with pharmacies to improve workflow, increase patient care quality, and reduce risk. Throughout his career, Dr. Cost has served in leadership positions with numerous associations and coalitions. He is chair of the American Pharmacists Association’s Policy Committee and previously served as a board member of the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations and as president of the Tennessee Society of Association Executives. He also served his alma mater as a member of the board of directors for the UTHSC College of Pharmacy Alumni Association.
During his career, Dr. Cost has had the opportunity to deliver over 100 educational programs, presentations, and lectures to thousands of individuals with diverse backgrounds covering a variety of different discussion topics at the local, state, and national levels.
Dr. Cost enjoys spending his spare time with his wife of 15 years, Kyle, and their two dogs. An active runner, he has completed multiple marathons, as well as playing guitar, riding motorcycles, enjoying the outdoors, and reading.
View Past Pharmacy Award Winners