AACP Student Community Engaged Service Award Recognizes Excellence in Consumer Education

Strategic Insights -

The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Student Community Engaged Service Award has selected four outstanding student-led community engagement programs that have been proven to expand access to affordable healthcare and dramatically improve public health. This year's winners include the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, Creighton University, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. These programs demonstrate the importance of consumer education in medication use and have made significant contributions to improving healthcare outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' partnership with the Consulate of Mexico in Little Rock has resulted in the provision of influenza vaccines and other preventative screenings to 723 patients, with 258 patients screened for diabetes and 254 for hypertension.
  • The University of California, San Francisco's Partners in D program has helped underserved Medicare patients understand the Medicare Part D prescription drug program, with over 150 students and faculty members involved in the initiative.
  • Creighton University's Interprofessional Falls Prevention Program has promoted the health and independence of an underserved population, with 41 COLLAGE assessments, 19 Berg Balance assessments, and six home safety checklists conducted.
  • The University of Nebraska Medical Center's SHARING Clinic has provided care to the uninsured and indigent in the Omaha area, with student pharmacists playing an integral role in the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
  • Each of the winning teams will receive a $5,000 financial stipend for enhancing or sustaining the recognized program or for travel support to attend and present their projects at professional meetings.
  • Teams will also receive up to $2,500 to cover travel, lodging, and registration expenses for one designated student and one faculty advisor to attend the national awards ceremony at AACP's 2012 Annual Meeting.
  • Student representatives and faculty advisors from each of the winning teams will be honored with a Steuben Glass Star Stream during the 2012 AACP Annual Meeting.

Statistics:

  • 723 patients were immunized for influenza through the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' partnership with the Consulate of Mexico in Little Rock.
  • 258 patients were screened for diabetes, and 254 for hypertension, through the same initiative.
  • 41 COLLAGE assessments, 19 Berg Balance assessments, and six home safety checklists were conducted through Creighton University's Interprofessional Falls Prevention Program.
  • The University of Nebraska Medical Center's SHARING Clinic has provided care to the uninsured and indigent in the Omaha area, with over 60,000 patients served.

Sources:

  • Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports.
  • University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
  • University of California, San Francisco.
  • Creighton University.
  • University of Nebraska Medical Center.
  • American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP).
  • NewsRx.com.