Martin’s Point Health Care Community Pharmacy Residency Program Approved for Accreditation

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Managed Care Weekly Digest -- Martin's Point Health Care, a progressive, not-for-profit health care organization, along with the University of New England (UNE) and Hannaford Supermarkets announced their Community Pharmacy Residency program was approved for accreditation by the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists. This unique academic-practice partnership is the first accredited post-graduate program at the UNE College of Pharmacy (see also Martin's Point Health Care).

Pharmacy residency programs take place after a Pharmacist has completed their pharmacy degree. This one-year Community Pharmacy Residency program provides pharmacists with the opportunity to further develop skills and gain experience in various settings that include retail (Hannaford Pharmacy), academic research and teaching (University of New England) and working within an integrated delivery system and managed care environment (Martin's Point). Especially in the rapidly changing healthcare environment, being aware of and navigating the prescription drug system is critically important. This unique combination of experiences allows the pharmacist to engage with providers and patients more holistically to have the biggest impact for population health improvement.

Additionally, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has further pushed pharmacists to become much more integrated into the healthcare system as they work to ensure proper prescription drug coverage and long-term adherence to drug regimens to improve healthcare outcomes. Pharmacists work directly with practitioners to strategize on the best medications that will be covered, with patients to ensure they are properly taking those medications and with health care plans to ensure proper coverage. With the increased emphasis on managing the rising cost of healthcare, focus on the important role prescription medications play is even more critically important.

The first resident, Stephanie Lewis, completed the program in June of 2016 and is now a clinical pharmacist practicing at Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut. The second resident, Brooke Cowles, completed the program in June 2017 and a third resident will begin the program in July 2017. "The Community Pharmacy Residency gave me first-hand experience in a variety of settings as well as seeing the direct impact of the Affordable Care Act to my work," said Stephanie Lewis. "This program was invaluable for my professional development and I am excited to put my knowledge into practice, especially as it relates to helping patients in Maine stay committed to taking their live-saving medications."

Rebekah Dube, Vice President of Clinical Programs, knows first-hand the impact of pharmacy residency programs. She also completed a pharmacy residency program before her first clinical pharmacy job. "The Community Pharmacy Residency provides pharmacists a tremendous learning opportunity. As we continue to integrate all aspects of the healthcare system, we need to ensure pharmacists are in the best possible position to offer their expertise and insight. At Martin's Point we are in the unique position to be both a healthcare and health insurance plan provider so we know the community health benefit of integrated knowledge."

"The Community Pharmacy Residency program provides real benefits to our customers and to our business by further expanding the practice of our pharmacists," said Moira O'Toole, Director of Pharmacy Services and Managed Care at Delhaize America. "The residents we've worked with have expanded our pharmacist-administered immunization programs; furthered our relationship with local providers; and improved our patients' medication adherence through program development."

Keywords for this news article include: Managed Care, Affordable Care Act, Martin's Point Health Care.

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