The Washington State Pharmacy Association (WSPA) is proud to announce winners of its 2016 Awards of Distinction, who underscore WSPA’s commitment to the quality of care. The winners will be recognized at the Awards of Distinction Ceremony on October 8 during the 2016 WSPA Annual Meeting in Suquamish, WA.
The Innovative Pharmacy Practice Award recognizes a practicing pharmacist or technician using innovative pharmacy practice to improve patient care and outcomes in Washington State.
Innovative Pharmacy Practice Award
Joshua Akers, PharmD
As manager of the Kelley-Ross Clinical Pharmacy Institute, Josh oversees the division of the company dedicated to innovation and creating the future practice models for the organization. Josh has pioneered or helped develop a number of unique programs at Kelley-Ross. He has been instrumental in the delivery of their Take-Home Naloxone program, the first of its kind in the country. This has included overdose-response training to over 1,000 individuals, and the development of a provider toolkit to help other pharmacists implement their own program. Josh has transformed Kelley-Ross in-home medication management program into a ground-breaking Transitions of Care partnership with Virginia Mason that is demonstrating incredible outcomes, reducing CHF readmission rates from 22% to 6.5%. In addition, Josh and his colleagues assist the HIV At-Risk Community with the PrEP (or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis HIV prevention strategy) reducing the risk of contracting HIV by up to 92%. Josh’s team also works directly with patients in their homes to assess their needs and develop innovative solutions for their medication-related problems through the Kelley-Ross In-Home Medication Coaching program.
Washington State Pharmacy Association CEO, Jeff Rochon, writes, “Dr. Akers’ work through the Kelley-Ross Clinical Pharmacy Institute embodies true innovation. Through creative collaborations, Josh’s team is reaching beyond traditional pharmacy circles to demonstrate the value of pharmacist provided patient care in transitions of care post hospital discharge, in-home care for vulnerable patients, and specific programs involving high-risk populations. By thinking outside of the box, this work is expanding the value of their pharmacy in their community.”
The Washington State Pharmacy Association, based in Renton, represents more than 1,100 pharmacies statewide. WSPA supports and advances the practice of pharmacy to ensure that the public receives optimal medication therapy management.
