Celebrating Health Care's Unsung Heroes

APhA-ASP Chapter Mark American Pharmacists Month with Patient Care Activities, Education, Advocacy and Practitioner Recognition

The UH chapter of the American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists is celebrating the 2012 American Pharmacists Month during the month of October with an array of patient care and education activities, advocacy among lawmakers, and practitioner recognition to showcase the contributions of the nation's 300,000 licensed pharmacists in improving patient outcomes.

Above, Pharmacy student Melinda Ha administers a seasonal flu immunization to a patient at the H.O.M.E.S. Clinic on Oct. 14. Below, Pharmacy student Jessica Messa counsels a patient on her screening results at the Humble Senior Health Fair on Oct. 9.

Among the goals for APhA's national campaign are to enhance the image of pharmacists as the medication experts and an integral part of the health care team; educate the public, policy makers, pharmacists and other health care professionals about the role pharmacists play in reducing health care costs and the safe and effective management of medications; and promote the importance of “Know Your Medicine, Know Your Pharmacist” in the safe and effective use of medications.

UH APhA-ASP chapter members have participated in numerous patient care activities in October, including  providing free seasonal flu immunizations to Houston's homeless at the H.O.M.E.S. clinic  (courtesy of Walgreens) and to Humble-area senior citizens during the Humble Senior Health Fair (sponsored by Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital and the Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital Foundation). 

APhA-ASP members also have provided screenings such as blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol, as well as conducting health awareness presentations on an array of topics, ranging from diabetes and tuberculosis to medication safety and osteoporosis at events at UH, such as the Well Woman Extravaganza and the UH Health and Wellness Week, and across the Greater Houston area, such as the Humble Senior Health Fair.

Members also have been engaging in numerous advocacy activities to highlight the role of pharmacists, including posting "Pharmacy Facts of the Day" on the APhA-ASP and UHCOP social media pages as well as writing letters to legislators and posting on their social media pages.

For more information about the UH chapter of APhA-ASP, please visit the chapter webpage.
For more information about American Pharmacists Month, please visit APhA webpage.