APhA Recognizes Center for Pharmacy Care Business Model

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) presented the Academic Research Center for Pharmacy Care with the Outstanding Business Practice Model award at the APhA’s recent annual meeting.

The award, which recognizes the center’s work with medication therapy management, honors Dr. Suzanne Higginbotham, director of the center, and clinical team members Dr. Robert Laux, assistant professor of pharmacy practice, and Dr. Monica Skomo, associate professor of pharmacy practice.

In her nomination letter, Higginbotham wrote, “In just five years, the staff has achieved an exceptional level of patient care and dedication to ambulatory practices and community service, innovative management and teaching for student pharmacists.”

Higginbotham also provided highlights of the Center for Pharmacy Care, including:

• Served 3,330 unduplicated patients by providing community health screenings, lifestyle counseling, educational seminars, drug therapy review/management, disease state management and outcome reporting for certain health conditions
• Increased Wellness in Motion Medication Therapy Management Program to a total of 181 from 132 enrolled in 2011-2012 fiscal year, with patients seen in one of seven programs (diabetes, chronic pain, GERD, asthma, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and depression)
• Collaborated with the Duquesne benefits office to offer $0 copayments to all employees with active health benefits from the University who are receiving scheduled adult immunizations at the center
• Through the Spirit of Health Initiative, provided 701 influenza vaccinations at no cost to adults in underserved areas of Pittsburgh and surrounding communities.

“The team at the Center for Pharmacy Care is committed to offering health services to promote wellness and preventative care while teaching student pharmacists in the process,” said Higginbotham. “We are very honored to receive this award from the American Pharmacist Association for our work with the center, and we remain dedicated to providing comprehensive patient care to those we serve.”

APhA, founded in 1852, was the first-established national professional society of pharmacists. The largest association of pharmacists in the United States, the organization’s membership is composed of more than 60,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and others interested in advancing the profession.