Good Neighbor Pharmacy names national award winners
LAS VEGAS — Good Neighbor Pharmacy last week recognized five Good Neighbor Pharmacy operators at the National Healthcare Conference and Exposition.
Liss Pharmacy in Newark, N.J., was named the 2011 Good Neighbor Pharmacy “Pharmacy of the Year” for its commitment to the Newark community. Led by owner Matthew Parisi, the pharmacy has created programs in conjunction with both the city of Newark and the Heinz Family Philanthropies to provide pharmaceutical services and generic medications at a reasonable cost, for example.
“Liss Pharmacy is committed to reaching out to the community, creating a larger patient base and providing high-quality and innovative professional healthcare services, while working to maintain the unique qualities of their neighborhood,” Good Neighbor Pharmacy president Mike Cantrell said.
Meanwhile, Jacinta Hines of J&J Arrowhead Pharmacy in Glendale, Ariz., was awarded the 2011 Good Neighbor Pharmacist of the Year. Hines has developed partnerships with physicians in area hospitals and provides complementary services, including serving as a substance abuse counselor. “This award honors a pharmacist who excels at leadership, community service and participation in professional programs. Dr. Hines has shown this through her dedication of her studies and passion for her store, her patients and her community,” Cantrell said.
Other awards included:
Caring for the Community Award: KTA Puainako Pharmacy. What started as a 500-sq.-ft. grocery and dry goods store has become a healthcare destination and community hub for residents of Hilo, Hawaii. Kerri Okamura, director of pharmacy for KTA Puainako Pharmacy, has made it her goal to make a big difference on the island by reducing the number of Hawaiians who are affected by such diseases as diabetes and heart disease;
Innovations in Technology Award: Florida Medical Clinic Pharmacy. As this year’s recipient of the Innovations in Technology award from Good Neighbor Pharmacy, Florida Medical Clinic Pharmacy is reducing financial burdens while increasing the quality of care through the use of technology within a pharmacy setting. Chip Harmon, director of Pharmacy for Florida Medical Clinic Pharmacy, knows how important patient compliance and guidance are for his community, so adding an interactive voice response system helped patients refill medications 24 hours a day and sent reminders to patients to pick up their medications, decreasing the number of unclaimed prescriptions; and
Outstanding Advertising of the Year Award: West Main Pharmacy. Creative thinking, determination and a memorable mural are critical parts of the advertising strategy created by West Main Pharmacy of Medford, Ore., and the results are paying off with major growth in prescriptions and an increased ability to compete with other stores, Good Neighbor Pharmacy noted. It is this collection of accomplishments that earned them the Good Neighbor Pharmacy Outstanding Advertising Award for 2011. Mark DiTommaso, owner of West Main Pharmacy, is known for the red, white and blue mural on the outside of his pharmacy. The pharmacy created a delivery van to match the mural, along with store brochures, a website and television advertisements.