Commentary
Podcast
In this episode of Public Health Matters, Christina Madison discusses pharmacist-physician collaborations with Amina Abubakar and Stephen Lewis.
Public Health Matters: Pharmacists as Frontline Health Providers: Collaborating for Better Patient Outcomes
In this episode of Public Health Matters, Dr. Christina Madison features Amina Abubakar and Stephen Lewis to delve into the evolving role of pharmacists in health care and explores how collaboration with other health care professionals can improve patient outcomes. The discussion focuses on innovative practice models and how they can positively impact patients' lives.
1. Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to play a significant role in improving public health.
2. Collaboration with other health care professionals is essential to optimize patient care and reduce healthcare costs.
3. Innovative practice models can empower patients to take control of their health and achieve better outcomes.
Main Topics Discussed
1. Pharmacist-Physician Collaboration: The episode highlights the potential for pharmacists to work closely with physicians, particularly in areas like chronic disease management and preventative care.
2. Primary Self-Care: This concept is introduced as a new model of care where pharmacists and physicians collaborate to provide comprehensive care to patients, emphasizing self-management and prevention.
3. Innovative Practice Models: The discussion explores different ways in which pharmacists can expand their roles and impact patient care, including through telehealth, community outreach, and medication therapy management.
Amina Abubakar, PharmD, AAHIVP is CEO at Avant Pharmacy and Wellness Center.
Amina Abubakar, PharmD, AAHIVP
Abubakar graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy University of the Sciences in 2005. She is the owner and manager of Avant Pharmacy & Wellness Center formerly known as Rx Clinic Pharmacy in Charlotte, NC, and the founder of the Avant Institute. She is an internationally recognized award-winning clinical pharmacist, Certified HIV Specialty Pharmacist, and a preceptor to UNC Chapel Hill residents and students from several schools of pharmacy. Recently, Amina was bestowed the honor by the National Community Pharmacists Association as 2020’s Independent Pharmacist of the Year and also received the 2020 Bowl of Hygeia from the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists for outstanding service to the community.
You can connect with her on LinkedIn here.
Stephen Lewis, MD, FABPMR
Dr. Stephen Lewis, FAAPMR, is National Medical Director of the Physiatry-Pharmacy Collaborative (PPC), a tech-enabled medical group that harnesses the team-based support potential of physiatrists, pharmacists and community health workers to enhance primary health care outcomes. PPC delivers advanced self-care support through collaborations with the Medicare Innovation Center, leaders from the American Heart Association and with CPESN USA, the nation’s 4th largest pharmacy network. You can connect with him on LinkedIn here.
The Avant Institute annual symposium will take place January 31st to February 1st, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina at Queens University. To learn more about the institute and the resources they offer, you can access their website here. Details regarding the 2025 Business of Collaborative Care Symposium can be found here. You can follow Avant Institute on LinkedIn here.
You can listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
