SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Big Y Foods debuted on Friday its first faculty pharmacist run patient-centered Consultation and Wellness Center at a Big Y World Class Market store here.
Big Y is partnering with the Western New England College School of Pharmacy in operating the center, which is said to be one of the largest pharmacy consultation and wellness centers in the region, and the first to be located in a supermarket.
Patients will be able to make an appointment with a pharmacist who will work with the individual and their physician to optimize their care.
Services offered at the new Consultation and Wellness Center include education and training programs, blood glucose evaluations, individualized patient care plans, and medication review.
The creators of the center say the services are needed now more than ever given the aging population and the increasing strain on the state’s health care system.
“The goals of the center are to provide clinical pharmacy services to the community, enhance patient care, and optimize therapeutic outcomes. We strive to be recognized as a leader by the community and patients as a wellness center of excellence,” said Kam Capoccia, Pharm.D., BCPS, clinical associate professor at the School of Pharmacy, in a press statement.
Capoccia, who will supervise the Consultation and Wellness Center, said collaborative practice models in other states have already demonstrated the ability to improve the health of their patients and save the health care system millions of dollars.
Among the Western New England – Big Y partnership’s goals are to decrease visits to the emergency room and the number of hospital readmissions by collaborating with physicians on patient care.
