Community Health Center Introduces New Program to Include Pharmacists in Patient Care

Mashpee – Community Health Center is excited to announce a new initiative set to have a wide-reaching positive impact on patient care. The Collaborative Drug Therapy Management (CDTM) Program allows licensed Pharmacists to enter a written, collaborative practice agreement (CPA) with a supervising physician within the scope of the supervising physician’s practice. Under the leadership of John Correira RPh, Director of Pharmacy Services at CHC, the program seeks to optimize patients' medication plans by facilitating seamless coordination between pharmacists and physicians. Jumpstarting this program are two exceptional pharmacists, Jennifer Steele, Pharm D, and Elizabeth Pollard, Pharm D, both of whom are excited to bring their wealth of experience and expertise to CHC patient care.

Jennifer has been serving as a staff pharmacist at the Mashpee office for ten years. She has an impressive pharmaceutical care background that includes working as a post marketing safety evaluator for the Food and Drug Administration as well as in a clinical pharmacist role with Home Solutions Infusion Therapy. Jennifer received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy and completed her pharmacy practice residency at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. Jennifer's diverse clinical experience has equipped her with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the complex landscape of patient medication management. Elizabeth Pollard, PharmD, is another talented CHC pharmacist who brings a unique blend of skills and experience to the program. She began her career as a pharmacy technician at Heywood Hospital in Gardner, MA, before receiving her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Worchester. Since then, she has gained extensive experience in retail settings, growing her background in operations management, patient education, immunizations, and error prevention. Elizabeth joined the Community Health Center team in 2021 when CHC’s retail pharmacy in Falmouth opened.

Through the CDTM program, Jennifer and Elizabeth will be able to initiate, monitor, adjust or discontinue a patient's drug therapy, ensuring that each individual receives tailored care that aligns with their unique needs. Through access to comprehensive patient histories, vital signs assessments and relevant laboratory test results, these pharmacists will work hand in hand with physicians to manage conditions including hypertension and diabetes with greater precision and efficacy. "The CDTM program will allow our Clinical Pharmacists to apply their specific medication knowledge, skills, and abilities to ensure optimal results from drug therapy," explains John Correira. "This team-based, patient-centered approach will focus on the quality of patient outcomes." By combining medication management with nutrition, education and follow-up interventions, Jennifer, Elizabeth, and their colleagues will strive to deliver comprehensive, high-quality care that places the patient at the forefront of every decision.

Whether through the provision of affordable prescriptions for patients, or the accessibility of retail pharmacy services to the public community, CHC remains dedicated to promoting health and wellness for all. CHC pharmacists make sure that each patient leaves with the information and support they need to be confident that their care plan is uniquely best to meet their individual health goals. CHC has three convenient onsite pharmacies in Mashpee, Falmouth and Bourne. The Falmouth and Bourne Retail Pharmacies are open to both the public and CHC patients, with the ability to accept prescriptions from any provider’s office. CHC’s Mashpee Pharmacy provides affordable prescriptions for Community Health Center patients. To learn more about Community Health Center's Pharmacy Services, please visit www.CHCofCapeCod.org/services/pharmacy. 
 

Community Health Center is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center, and their mission is to improve the health of our community through the provision of equitable, patient-centered, high quality, compassionate health care to all, regardless of ability to pay. Services include primary and preventive care, dental care, behavioral health, pharmacy, optometry, gynecology, substance use disorder services and telehealth, at locations in Mashpee, Falmouth, North Falmouth, Bourne, Sandwich and Centerville. Visit CHC online at www.CHCofCapeCod.org.