DU Pharmacy and Center for Pharmacy Care Named Immunization Champions

The American Pharmacist Association (APhA) has honored the Duquesne University Pharmacy and Center for Pharmacy Care as its national Immunization Champion Award winner for Community Outreach.

“We received the award because of the positive impact we’ve had on our community with regard to increasing vaccination rates to underserved areas in the Pittsburgh and surrounding communities,” said Dr. Suzanne Higginbotham, director of the Duquesne University Pharmacy and Center for Pharmacy Care. “Specifically, my staff—made up of clinical pharmacists, faculty, pharmacy residents, student pharmacists, technicians and support staff—help vaccinate those who may have little or no access to health insurance or health care, may be homeless or cannot ambulate well to receive the services that we provide.”

APhA presents the awards to recognize individuals and organizations in the pharmacy profession that have made extraordinary contributions toward improved vaccination rates within their communities.

“This award is extremely important to me because it recognizes the efforts of my staff and colleagues for the amazing work that they do daily,” Higginbotham added. “It also sheds light on the impact that they have on the lives that they touch and what it truly means to act as an ‘immunizing neighborhood.’”

The Duquesne University Pharmacy and Center for Pharmacy Care offers campus and community health screenings, lifestyle counseling, educational seminars, drug therapy review and management and more. The pharmacy strives to improve access to medications and patient adherence while enhancing medication safety and reducing overall health care expenditures. Read more here about additional offerings and programs.

APhA is the largest association of pharmacists in the United States, with more than 62,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists and pharmacy technicians as members.