U-M College of Pharmacy Honored with Prestigious Community Service Award

Media Contact: Lindsay Groth, Director of Marketing and Communications, [email protected]

[Ann Arbor, Michigan] — The University of Michigan College of Pharmacy is proud to accept the Lawrence C. Weaver Transformative Community Service Award presented by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). This award recognizes one college of pharmacy each year that demonstrates a major institutional commitment to addressing unmet 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,” said Dr. Amy Thompson, Director of Community Health and Engagement. “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.” 

U-M College of Pharmacy’s community engagement efforts date back 55 years when faculty and students volunteered at the Free People’s Clinic in 1970. Today, the College has a team dedicated to Community Health and Engagement – with required community activities embedded into the curriculum of our PharmD students. 

Activities including Pharmacy Community Connect Day, Student-Run Free Clinic and Community Health Screenings with an Interpreter allow our students to educate members of the community on topics including medication disposal and safety, as well as  blood pressure, while helping students improve their patient interaction skills. 

Additionally, students satisfy community engagement requirements through the bi-annual Medication and Sharps Disposal event, influenza vaccine clinics and healthcare education events 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,” remarked Dean Vicki Ellingrod. “Community involvement has been a priority of the College for decades, and it will continue to be in the future.” 

The College’s Community Health and Engagement team will accept the award at AACP’s Annual Meeting in July.

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About the College

The University of Michigan College of Pharmacy has been leading at pharmacy’s edge for 150 years. The first and oldest pharmacy school at a state university, the College — currently ranked #2 in the nation — has and continues to shape education in the field. Its faculty are internationally recognized and are innovators in drug discovery, development and delivery, precision pharmacotherapy, outcomes research and clinical practice. More than 5,000 alumni are enhancing patient care and outcomes at the bench to the bedside, in boardrooms and communities, government agencies, and within healthcare companies.