NCPA Foundation-UAMS Pharmacy Ownership and Leadership Academy

The POLA 2026 application form is open and will remain open until February 28th, 2026. Apply for the 2026 NCPA Foundation-UAMS Pharmacy Ownership and Leadership Academy.

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) will be hosting the upcoming session of Pharmacy Ownership and Leadership Academy (POLA) from June 15-19, 2026. POLA is open to students nationwide, but our maximum enrollment for this session is 40 students. The POLA curriculum is designed for current P2 students (rising P3s), but we encourage current P1 students to apply as well. P1 students at accelerated programs (three-year Pharm.D. schools/colleges) will be preferentially admitted over P1s from four-year schools/colleges. We received 88 applicants for POLA 2025 and we expect high demand for POLA 2026. POLA 2026 will be an in-person event at the main UAMS campus in Little Rock, Arkansas.

What is POLA?

POLA is a week-long academy focused on the fundamentals of pharmacy ownership, leadership and self-awareness. The POLA curriculum is specifically designed to help prepare students and equip them with the tools they need to be successful independent pharmacy owners. All POLA attendees will prepare a team mini-business plan presentation utilizing best practices for competing in the NCPA Student Business Plan Competition. The college was proud to host 35 students for the 2025 event from 25 different institutions across 14 states.

Who Can Come?

POLA is open to student pharmacists nationwide. However, our maximum enrollment for POLA 2026 is 40 students. Contact your NCPA Chapter Advisor or Dean of Student Affairs about applying to POLA 2026. Applications are sent to all colleges in December/January each year.

When and where is POLA?

POLA is held on the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences campus in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The upcoming session will be June 15-19, 2026

POLA Curriculum Highlights

• What it takes to own a pharmacy
• How to write a real-world business plan and best practices for submitting a business plan to the NCPA Business Plan Competition
• Personal and professional development
• Self-awareness
• Importance of leadership in the pharmacy profession

How much does it cost to attend POLA?

Registration and tuition for POLA are free. All student meals are provided (free) during the academy, but students are responsible for their travel to and from Little Rock, along with housing during their 5-day stay (Sunday-Thursday). POLA lodging is at a nearby UAMS-affiliated hotel and can range from $60 to $120 per night, depending on whether you are willing to share a multi-occupancy room or suite with other POLA attendees. Students are welcome to stay in alternate lodging, but will be responsible for travel to and from the UAMS campus each day.

*** Please consider talking with your Dean or NCPA Chapter Advisor to see if they are willing to provide you with a travel/housing stipend to attend POLA 2026.

Want to know more? Contact us!

Seth Heldenbrand, Pharm.D. seth@uams.edu501-686-6494Associate Dean for Experiential Education, Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice Department UAMS College of Pharmacy

Schwanda Flowers, Pharm.D.sflowers@ffb1.com501-672-5040Managing Director, PSDFirst Financial Bank, Little Rock