KINGSTON, R.I. — December 13, 2005 — The University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy celebrated American Pharmacists Month by organizing an outreach program for patients who qualify for the Medicare Part D prescription benefit.
The Student Leadership Council of the College of Pharmacy organized the informational event on Oct. 28 at Walgreens Pharmacy in Providence, Brooks Pharmacy in Cranston, and CVS Pharmacy in South Kingstown.
More than 30 students participated in planning and staffing the event, along with the support of seven faculty members. Nearly 100 residents consulted with the students and faculty to clear up any confusion over this new prescription benefit plan.
“This program gave us the chance to reach out to the community and counsel senior citizens, as we will when we are out in the workforce,” said Lisa Rodriguez, a fourth year pharmacy student from Lincoln. “The people that showed up seemed to like the fact that we could help them understand the new prescription program.”
“The value of the pharmacist was greatly recognized among the public,” said Kelly Orr, clinical assistant professor of pharmacy. “We received wonderful feedback on how much this assisted patients with their choices for health care and the great level of professionalism and care our students took in explaining the options.”
“All of the pharmacy students were eager to field the questions of the senior citizens and their children,” said Rodriguez. “They were very responsive and had lots of questions. They were impressed with how much the students knew about the program.”
Media Contact: Dave Lavallee, 401-874-5862