The College of Pharmacy has been named the recipient of the Lawrence C. Weaver Transformative Community Service Award presented by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.
This award recognizes one college of pharmacy each year that demonstrates a major institutional commitment to addressing unmet community needs through education, practice and research.
“The commitment to serving communities near and far is ingrained in our mission at the college, and it’s an honor to be recognized for these efforts,” said Amy Thompson, director of community health and engagement and clinical professor of pharmacy.
“Our collaboration with the community is vital to the residents we serve, while also providing an invaluable opportunity for our PharmD students to hone their communication and patient care skills. It’s really a win-win.”
The College of Pharmacy’s community engagement efforts date back 55 years when faculty and students volunteered at the Free People’s Clinic in 1970. Today, the college has a team dedicated to Community Health and Engagement — with required community activities embedded into the curriculum of PharmD students.
Activities including Pharmacy Community Connect Day, Student-Run Free Clinic and Community Health Screenings with an Interpreter allow students to educate members of the community on topics including medication disposal and safety, as well as blood pressure, while helping students improve their patient interaction skills.
Additionally, students satisfy community engagement requirements through the bi-annual Medication and Sharps Disposal event, influenza vaccine clinics and healthcare education events at the Ypsilanti Farmers Market.
“I am tremendously proud of the work our Community Health and Engagement team puts in day in and day out to provide meaningful opportunities for our PharmD students, but more importantly to serve our communities, and this award speaks to their commitment,” said College of Pharmacy dean Vicki Ellingrod.
“Community involvement has been a priority of the college for decades, and it will continue to be in the future.”
The college’s Community Health and Engagement team will accept the award at the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy’s annual meeting in July.
