SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — March 30, 2016 — Regional civic and business leaders gathered today with political figures, including U.S. Congressman Paul Tonko, for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of College Hometown Pharmacy at Hometown Health Centers (HHC), a nationally recognized primary care and dental practice located at 1044 State Street, Schenectady, NY.
Click the following link to view pictures from the Grand Opening event.
The pharmacy — the first student-operated pharmacy in New York State and one of only a handful of such pharmacies nationwide — features a full-time, licensed pharmacist who will supervise Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) students as they complete their Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctor of Pharmacy programs.
“College Hometown Pharmacy is a win-win opportunity for everyone,” said ACPHS President Greg Dewey, Ph.D. “We are not only excited to provide a great service to a medically underserved community, but also give our students practical experiences wrestling with real-world problems.
“Our students will gain hands-on experience in revenue, inventory turnover, break-even, and pharmacy cash-flow analysis,” said Dr. Dewey, noting that practical experiences constitute 30 percent of each pharmacy student’s coursework. “They will also develop interprofessional teamwork skills, while learning how to run a pharmacy and interacting with patients in a medically disadvantaged area. These are the type of leadership and innovative business thinking skills they will need to hit the ground running following graduation.”
In addition to dispensing medications, the pharmacy will serve as a “collaboratory,” in which the college and the not-for-profit community health center will team up to offer an expanded range of medication management services associated with patient wellness, including medication therapy management, disease prevention, wellness counseling, and screenings.
"ACPHS students will gain the leadership and innovative business thinking skills they will need to hit the ground running following graduation.” - President Greg Dewey
“We don’t want our students to be practice ready. We want them to go beyond practice ready,” added Dr. Dewey. “We want them to be educated not just for today’s profession, but for tomorrow’s profession too.”
“It’s sensational,” said Hometown Health Centers CEO Joe Gambino. “We are taking our 'patient-centered medical home' model to the next level by conveniently offering primary medical, dental, and behavioral health services under one roof. Now, as a result of this unique affiliation, patients will also enjoy the convenience of comprehensive on-site pharmacy services.”
College Hometown Pharmacy is funded through ACPHS’s $6 million “Beyond Practice Ready” campaign, whose supporters include Rochester Drug Co-Op, Inc., MVP Healthcare, The Borisenok Family Foundation, Walgreens, and the Wright Family Foundation.
A second student-operated pharmacy, “College Parkside Pharmacy,” will open later this year with support from the Albany Housing Authority. That facility, to be located in the South End of Albany, will feature a similar arrangement and provide a blend of pharmacy and medication management services.
HHC, which offers family medicine, pediatric, obstetrical, gynecological, podiatry, specialty care, behavioral health and comprehensive dental and vision care, is a federally qualified community health center that is able to participate in the federal 340B drug program to obtain substantial discounts on medications in order to stretch scarce federal resources and provide comprehensive care and services to more medically underserved patients.
About Hometown Health Centers
With locations at 1044 State Street in Schenectady and 67 Division Street in Amsterdam, Hometown Health Centers is nationally recognized for providing high-quality, cost-effective primary health care to all in need, with particular concern for low-income residents. As the primary care provider of choice for nearly 18,000 patients, the health center offers primary and preventive health care to children and families, behavioral health, and lab services, as well as comprehensive dental care. For more information, visit hometownhealthcenters.org.
About Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Founded in 1881, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is a private, independent institution with a long tradition of academic and research excellence. The College is committed to educating the next generation of leaders in the health care professions and translating scientific discoveries into therapies that benefit humankind. In addition to its doctor of pharmacy program, ACPHS offers six bachelor’s programs and five graduate programs in the health sciences. The College has campuses in Albany, NY, and Colchester, VT.