Testimonials from donors and volunteers
“I first learned about Senior PharmAssist when I moved to the Durham several years ago. I was quite impressed with the organization and its services. The other locales where I had practiced medicine didn't have such a useful resource, though it would have been most helpful if there was something available there like Senior PharmAssist. Since becoming acquainted with the program, I have donated money, become a member of their Advocacy Committee and most recently become a member of their Board. These positions have given me the opportunity to work with the remarkably skilled and dedicated staff at Senior PharmAssist. It is so rewarding to be able to donate my money, time and expertise to such a worthy organization!
As a physician, I have had wonderful experiences with Senior PharmAssist helping in the care of my patients. One of my patients in particular comes to mind. At my suggestion, she met with one of the program’s pharmacists to help with streamlining her complicated regime involving multiple medications. The Senior PharmAssist staff member made suggestions on how my patient could change her medications to be less expensive, easier to take and have fewer side effects. The pharmacist called me with these suggestions, which have resulted in improved and less expensive care for my patient, and certainly a more satisfied patient (and provider)! In a time when primary care providers and retail pharmacists are so often pressed for time, it is wonderful to have a resource such as Senior PharmAssist to partner with me in the care of my patients!”
Margaret Gradison, MD, MHS-CL
Associate Professor
Medical Director Physician Assistant Program
Department of Community & Family Medicine
Duke University Medical Center
" ‘You'll never be able to raise that much money.’ That’s what I said to the graduate student intern named Gina when she talked to me about a grant application to the Duke Endowment and reported that after three years this program of her design would have to support itself. Happily, I was proved wrong! While it's true there were some very lean times during the early years, Senior PharmAssist has established itself with a solid foundation of support. During its 14 years, the program has:
adapted its services to the changing environment of pharmaceutical assistance for seniors, maintained excellence in its services and worked to extend those services to more older adults in Durham County, making it easy to ‘stay on their bandwagon.’
"I have been happy to continue supporting Senior PharmAssist, with volunteer efforts and also with contributions – now, through the fund my husband established at the Triangle Community Foundation in my name. Gina Upchurch and Senior PharmAssist have taught me to ‘never say never.’ "
Margaret Q. Keller
Community Volunteer and Former Board President
“Eleven years ago, Vic Moore invited me to an early morning coffee. He wanted me to learn about an exciting new program to help our deserving senior community; that program was Senior PharmAssist. Vic had been an enthusiastic and early supporter of the effort to create an agency that would help Durham seniors, especially those with limited incomes, pay for needed medicines and also use their medications properly.
The meeting I attended with Vic was led by Gina Upchurch. Anyone who has had an opportunity to be in Gina’s presence when she speaks about Senior PharmAssist knows how persuasive and passionate she can be. After seeing Gina that day, I felt there might be a role for me as a volunteer.
It wasn’t long before I realized why Senior PharmAssist was achieving great success at effecting change in the lives of so many. It all could be traced to the people involved with the organization: the staff, including pharmacists and social workers, as well as the board and other volunteers.
The staff has always gone the extra mile – well beyond providing quality pharmaceutical care – to also connect participants with other agencies that can assist in easing their economic and social burdens. In late 2005, before the advent of Medicare Part D, the Senior PharmAssist staff spoke tirelessly at various community outreach forums about how the new drug benefit would impact seniors’ lives. The program then helped many of those same seniors enroll in the best Part D plan, based on their needs. The staff and board are always searching for ways to improve the well-being of older adults, even those beyond Durham.
Senior PharmAssist receives many inquiries for assistance from people who are not eligible for direct financial assistance from the program, either because of their age, income level or existing prescription coverage. For such individuals, I (a retired nurse) work with the pharmacists to identify patient assistance programs – many sponsored by drug manufacturers – that might provide medications free of charge or at reduced cost. If I can find a match, I send that information along with required forms and instructions to those in need.
We all wish that there was an easier way to obtain the assistance than completing so many different drug company forms, but every bit of help counts! It is a great pleasure to be part of a team whose collective concern is serving and improving the lives of seniors in Durham County. How fortunate I was to have been invited to that EARLY morning meeting 11 years ago!”
Ann Carole Moylan
Retired Nurse & Community Volunteer
In 2001, Ann Carole was honored for her long service to Senior PharmAssist by the Volunteer Center of Durham, which annually acknowledges the outstanding contributions of community volunteers. Ann Carole earned Key Volunteer Recognition in the Direct Service Category.
“My introduction to and involvement with the Senior PharmAssist program started approximately 10 years ago during my employment at Durham Technical Community College. Senior PharmAssist staff attended my classes on several occasions and enlightened the nursing students on various issues related to health care, community programs and medications that affected senior citizens. I found that the need for such a program in the Durham community was one of great importance to the welfare of seniors.
Upon retiring in 2000, I continued to be involved with the organization and became a member of the Board of Directors for several years. I have made presentations in the community to inform seniors about the program and encourage their involvement. Senior PharmAssist’s continuance is dependent upon financial contributions from foundations and Durham County government, individuals, businesses, churches and other community organizations. Many of our seniors in Durham rely upon the help provided by Senior PharmAssist. Over the years I have solicited and received contributions for the program from my church (St. Joseph’s AME), Altrusa International Club and friends. Senior PharmAssist is very unique in that it provides a variety of information and assistance to seniors that is not restricted to just pharmaceutical needs.
I will continue to be an “ambassador” for Senior PharmAssist because the residents of Durham need it and so do I!”
Louise J. Gooche, Ed.D., RN
Retired Director of Nursing Education
Durham Technical Community College
Former Board Member; Current Outreach Worker
“I grew up in Chapel Hill, and during high school, volunteered at a hospital pharmacy. I fell in love with pharmacy and decided to pursue it as my major at UNC-Chapel Hill. I enrolled at Carolina in the fall of 1994, and that same year, began volunteering with Senior PharmAssist – initially helping with data entry. Eventually, I assisted with medication reviews, and in 1998, I completed a geriatric residency rotation at Senior PharmAssist. After graduation, I moved to Nashville, Tenn., and though I could no longer volunteer with the program, continued to support Senior PharmAssist by contributing through the annual Leadership Gifts Campaign.
I have a grandmother who has trouble keeping up with all of her medications, and I wish she had a resource such as Senior PharmAssist where she lives. Many geriatric patients take lots of medications making it difficult to manage their medicines. Hearing and vision problems – as well as illnesses that affect the elderly – can impair their ability to keep up with their medications. Senior PharmAssist addresses these issues and working with the program has helped me to come up with clever ways to help my 85-year-old grandmother remain independent at home.
In 2002, I moved to Pleasant Garden, NC, just outside Greensboro, which allowed me to resume volunteering with Senior PharmAssist once/week. I now work in a hospital setting and really don’t have many opportunities to meet with patients and talk to them about their medications. But at Senior PharmAssist, I do, which makes the one-hour commute to Durham always worthwhile.”
Lisa K. Powell, PharmD
In 2006, Lisa earned a North Carolina Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service for her involvement with Senior PharmAssist. In 2005 and 2006, she was honored for that commitment by the Volunteer Center of Durham, which annually recognizes the outstanding contributions of community volunteers. On both occasions, Lisa was named Key Volunteer in the Adult Volunteer Category.