Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) pharmacy students were recently named the “Under-Represented Community Outreach Award Winner” by the National Consumers League (NCL) for their efforts in the annual Script Your Future Medication Adherence Team Challenge. The challenge is an eight-week intercollegiate competition among health profession student teams and faculty to combat poor medication adherence in the United States, where nearly three out of four patients do not take their medication as directed.
LECOM Pharmacy students partnered with Country Fair convenience stores to promote vaccination education and administer flu shots as part of their Script Your Future campaign.
Throughout 60 service events, LECOM students counseled and connected with over 1,300 individuals. Collaborating with local officials and community organizations, LECOM specifically targeted community members affected by poverty and disability. By partnering with Country Fair convenience stores, Erie City Mission, and various local community centers and schools, LECOM successfully organized regular health fairs and educational sessions that reached individuals who might not otherwise receive adequate care. NCL praised the students’ efforts to focus on underrepresented community members who often face difficulties accessing necessary healthcare.
LECOM’s campaign was selected from among 16 participating educational institutions nationwide. To learn more about the LECOM School of Pharmacy, visit LECOM.edu/pharmacy.