Breakfast reception celebrates Magrath Award and community partners
See more photos from the breakfast reception.
Sometimes the best way to thank somebody is just to say thanks. But coffee and a nice, hot breakfast don’t hurt.
With shamrocks as centerpieces, VCU hosted a special March 17 breakfast reception for a special group of people: representatives from each of the seven Richmond area community partnerships that have been working with School of Pharmacy faculty, residents and students for up to 15 years each.
These are the same community organizations which, along with the School of Pharmacy, won the American Public and Land-grant Universities’ prestigious 2014 C. Peter Magrath University Community Engagement Award: the Center for High Blood Pressure, CrossOver Healthcare Ministry, the Daily Planet, Richmond Health and Wellness Program at Dominion Place, Goochland Free Clinic and Family Services, Imperial Plaza and Richmond Area Compassionate Care Pharmacy. Collectively, the program is known as Pharmacist Collaborative Care and Outreach in the Community.
On hand to celebrate and say a few words as attendees enjoyed their breakfast at the Scott House were VCU President Michael Rao; Catherine Howard, vice provost for the Division of Community Engagement; School of Pharmacy Dean Joseph DiPiro; and Alan Dow, assistant vice president of VCU Health Sciences’ Center for Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Care.
Rao had suggested to Howard that VCU might want to apply for the APLU award. Laughing, Howard replied, “But it’s hard!” Neither could have known that all the hard work that went into the application would garner not only regional recognition but the national award, as well.
The university ended up as part of the APLU “final four” — vying against Oregon State, Purdue and the University of New Hampshire – in June before learning the ultimate results in November.
As part of its win, VCU was awarded two statues and $20,000. A committee convened, deciding the best way to thank community partners would be to invite them on campus, buy them breakfast and divide the rest of the prize funds among them.
Recalling the excitement of receiving the award, Howard thanked the community organizations for what they do every day. “You are saving lives,” she said. “You are teaching our students to save lives. And because of this community engagement, you’ll continue to do so.”
The hundreds of people involved in PCOC have addressed a variety of health issues described by the Virginia Department of Health as critical in the Richmond area, particularly chronic disease and its prevention and management.
Rao, calling PCOC a very special program, said, “I’m very proud of it.” Over the years, Rao said, he had gotten to know Peter Magrath, the 1992-2005 APLU president for whom the Magrath Award is named. “I know he is proud of us, too.”
Rao sees PCOC as a model for the rest of the university. In fact, faculty, residents and students from several other VCU schools and departments already were working or have begun to work with some of the same community programs.
DiPiro said the Magrath Award “gives external validation to the fact that we are connected to this community,” noting the grassroots efforts made by many committed individuals. He introduced and thanked representatives from each of the programs.
“It’s really exciting to see all the smiles, all the energy,” said Dow. The success of PCOC, he said, offers some valuable lessons “about who we are and where healthcare is going.
“This is about setting the foundation for people to be successful in their lives, going forward.” As a doctor, Dow said, “I parachute in once in a while … but these are the people doing the work. I’d put their numbers against any primary care practice!”
Citing statistics surrounding the ever-aging population, Dow noted that with a tremendous change in focus toward seniors, eventually there won’t be enough doctors or nurses.
“But we do have enough pharmacists because they’ve been proactive in being part of the health care team. We’re going to be underserved, and we need models that can work, that can build the systems we’ll be using.
“I see us as leaders.”
As breakfast drew to a close, the floor was opened for remarks. Among the comments shared:
- “We have been extremely blessed, quite frankly, by the Pharm.D. program at VCU.” – Peter Prizzio, CEO, The Daily Planet
- “Our patients have come so far, moving into positions where they can flourish.” – Michael Murchie, medical director, CrossOver Healthcare Ministry
- “In a rural area with transportation challenges and no access to health care, the diabetes management, especially, has been huge for us and life-changing for our patients. They have an intensive, one-on-one relationship with our pharmacists.” – Sally Graham, executive director, Goochland Free Clinic and Family Services
Gregory - “This program has helped get our residents to open up and trust the pharmacists.” – Gregory Ford, resident service coordinator, Dominion Place
- “We had great skepticism. We didn’t understand what clinical pharmacy was … clinical pharmacy has raised the level of care, and I credit the vision and skill in this program.” – David Baldwin, executive director, Center for High Blood Pressure
- “We’re the little pharmacy with a big name. [School of Pharmacy professor] Patty Slattum has been very instrumental in getting it off the ground, and [assistant professor] K.C. Ogbonna is sending us some great P4s who are smarter than me! We’re very grateful.” – Ron Gregory, pharmacist-in-charge, Richmond Area Compassionate Care Pharmacy
- “We have 1,000 residents, average age 86. This allowed us to expand … the residents respect us, and students learn how to communicate with a senior population. This has been a blessing to our practice.” – Eddie Shibley, pharmacy director, Imperial Plaza
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