Archived News & Events

News

The Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program of North Carolina has honored Senior PharmAssist Executive Director Gina Upchurch with the second annual Jim Long Outstanding SHIIP Service Award. Gina was recognized for our program's extensive work with SHIIP's state office and for serving as an advocate of SHIIP and other senior services. A division of the state Department of Insurance, SHIIP offers free, objective information about Medicare, Medicare prescription drug coverage, and other insurance issues, and its trained volunteers provide one-on-one counseling in all 100 counties. State Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin presented Gina with her award at SHIIP's annual coordinators' conference, where he noted, "SHIIP volunteers provide one of the most valuable services in the state for our seniors and citizens with disabilities - helping them navigate the confusing Medicare system and making sure their healthcare and insurance needs are met." For more information about SHIIP call 800-443-9354 or click here to visit their Web site.

On Oct. 21, 2009, AARP North Carolina honored Senior PharmAssist Executive Director Gina Upchurch with its annual Advocacy Award. Gina received this tribute in recognition of her leadership and commitment to AARP North Carolina's legislative priorities related to healthcare.

The editorial board of The News & Observer of Raleigh has given Senior PharmAssist high marks for improving the lives of seniors and helping to reduce healthcare costs. This opinion piece, published on Aug. 11, 2009, followed a front-page article printed by The N&O that spotlighted our program's "model" and its proven effectiveness, all considered within the context of our national debate over healthcare reform. You can read the article by N&O reporter Thomas Goldsmith by clicking here and the editorial by clicking here.

The NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund has approved continued funding for two medication assistance programs that Senior PharmAssist and other partners across the state have fought to preserve and enhance. Those programs are NCRx and ChecKmeds NC. NCRx provides up to $29/month in premium subsidies for Medicare drug coverage to North Carolina residents 65 and older with limited incomes. Launched in January 2007, NCRx will now continue through December 2012. ChecKmeds NC enables any North Carolina resident 65 and older with Medicare drug coverage to obtain an annual medication review from a participating pharmacist at no charge - promoting medication safety, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness. ChecKmeds NC began in October 2007 and will receive continued funding through June 2011. Senior PharmAssist helps Durham residents who qualify to apply for NCRx and maintain their subsidy each year. Our program also participates with ChecKmeds NC. To learn more about our efforts with Advocates for a North Carolina Prescription Drug Assistance Program in sustaining these two state programs, click here.

In marking its 15th anniversary on June 23, 2009, Senior PharmAssist honored two local physicians for their exemplary service in helping Durham seniors lead healthier and more independent lives - through medication assistance and other preventive health measures. Dr. Andy Barada, a rheumatologist and long-time volunteer with our program, received the Thomas R. Howerton Award for Leadership. And Dr. Elaine M. Hart-Brothers, co-founder of the Community Health Coalition, earned the Margaret K. Goodwin Award for Service. To learn more about these awards, their history, and most recent recipients, please click here.

In May 2009, the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy spotlighted Senior PharmAssist's partnership with Advocates for a North Carolina Prescription Drug Assistance Program in a report examining the impact of advocacy conducted by 13 North Carolina organizations. That report is available as a free download from the NCRP's Web site. Among its key findings: for every dollar invested in the advocacy, organizing, and civic engagement efforts of nonprofits studied, North Carolina residents reaped $89 in benefits. Lisa Ranghelli, senior research associate with the NCRP, blogged about why foundations should support groups that are committed to effecting policy change and mobilizing others; in that posting, she cited the NCRP's latest research and gave our program special mention. Senior PharmAssist was honored to participate in this research project.

The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust has awarded Senior PharmAssist a $10,000 grant to update and expand its replication manual. This will allow our program to better share information with other communities that would like to establish a “system of care” for seniors, based on the blueprint we’ve created in Durham County. We thank The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, which was a generous early funder of our efforts, for its renewed support – so we might benefit the health and independence of seniors beyond our own community.

On Jan. 7, 2009, Senior PharmAssist received a $10,000 grant from the North Carolina Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program to help sustain the Durham Medicare Rx Network. Our program spearheaded the creation of this partnership last year, with the support of a one-time grant from the NC General Assembly. The Durham Medicare Rx Network is a collaboration of front-line providers who deal with ever-changing Medicare drug benefits and is designed to ensure we all have accurate, reliable information, making Durham a healthier place for all Medicare beneficiaries. Senior PharmAssist hosts bi-monthly meetings of the Network, and if you’re interested in joining us or would like to learn more, please contact Executive Assistant Lesley Williams at (919) 682-4962 or lesley@seniorpharmassist.org.

On Dec. 10, 2008, Senior PharmAssist Executive Director Gina Upchurch and former Board member Dr. Gary Greenberg were honored by the Durham-Orange County Medical Society. Both received a 2008 Jerry Nance Community Service Award, recognizing their advocacy on behalf of the disadvantaged and uninsured in our community.

On October 4, 2008 Gina received the Women of Vision Award of Excellence from the Durham Alumnae Chapter of Bennett College for Women. The award was for “Leadership and Advocacy in Pharmacy Education for Senior Citizens.”

Senior PharmAssist was spotlighted in the Sept./Oct. 2008 “Healthy Aging” issue of the North Carolina Medical Journal. Please click here to view the article online.

On May 16, 2008, Senior PharmAssist co-hosted the third meeting of the Advocates for a North Carolina Prescription Drug Assistance Program, where we discussed ways to advance best practices related to medication appropriateness and access at the local, state and national levels. We are working across special interests to ensure that ALL Medicare beneficiaries (including those who may be younger than 65 but are disabled by mental illness, HIV infection or other physical impairment) have the support they need to understand and maximize Medicare-approved drug benefits.

On May 14, 2008, Senior PharmAssist Executive Director Gina Upchurch received a 2008 Power of Prevention Award from the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund. The Power of Prevention Awards recognize individuals across the state who have taken an innovative approach in addressing preventive health; access to healthcare; the promotion of healthy lifestyles and addressing chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Gina was honored in the category of Advocacy and Public Policy, at a ceremony in Chapel Hill. For more information on the 2008 Power of Prevention Awards, please visit www.healthwellnc.com.

Events

On Nov. 4th and 17th, Senior PharmAssist hosted a one-hour "Close Up" event to give supporters and others a better glimpse at how we've been successfully addressing critical problems with our healthcare system for more than 15 years. These programs were held at the Durham Center for Senior Life and featured a testimonial from a participant or caregiver whose family has been helped by Senior PharmAssist, a brief explanation of our clinical services from a pharmacist, and thoughts from Executive Director Gina Upchurch, who weighed in on healthcare reform and the "system of care" we've created for older adults in Durham. Guests also had the opportunity to ask questions of Senior PharmAssist staff. We plan to schedule more of these interactive events in early 2010.

On Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, Senior PharmAssist hosted a continuing education session for Durham pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to prepare them for Medicare Part D in 2010. More than 35 pharmacy professionals attended this program at the Durham Center for Senior Life, earning two hours of CE credit from the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists.

On Monday, April 20, Senior PharmAssist Executive Director Gina Upchurch was the featured speaker for the monthly installment of the Carolina Seminars series at UNC-Chapel Hill. The April program focused on the elderly and low-wealth individuals' access to prescription medications, and was held at the UNC School of Pharmacy's Beard Hall. This seminar was co-sponsored by the UNC Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity. The Carolina Seminars provides support for sustained interdisciplinary discussions among scholars and practitioners from a variety of institutions, communities, fields and professions.

On Nov. 7, 2008, Senior PharmAssist hosted a meeting of the Durham Medicare Rx Network to help community partners prepare for the six-week Medicare Part D open enrollment period.