The College of Pharmacy has received the prestigious Lawrence C. Weaver Transformative Community Service Award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. This accolade honors a college that shows a strong commitment to meeting 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,” stated 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 service initiatives began 55 years ago with faculty and students volunteering at the Free People’s Clinic. Today, the institution boasts a dedicated Community Health and Engagement team, integrating community activities into the PharmD curriculum.
Programs like Pharmacy Community Connect Day, Student-Run Free Clinic, and Community Health Screenings enhance student skills and educate the public on key topics such as medication safety and blood pressure. Students also participate in the Medication and Sharps Disposal event and healthcare education 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,” expressed 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 award will be presented to the college’s Community Health and Engagement team at the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy’s annual meeting in July.
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