November 7, 2022
On Friday, October 28, several students and faculty on our Asheville campus participated in a community outreach event in partnership with Buncombe County Health and Human Services. As part of their efforts, seventy vaccinations were given to the clients of the AHOPE Day Center. Vaccinations were given for Hepatitis A, Flu, Covid-19, and Monkey Pox.
With 547 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in Buncombe County, AHOPE is often the only place that people who live outside can go for services, which makes it a powerful outreach and engagement tool in the community. Research has shown that people experiencing homelessness may be more vulnerable to the adverse effects of viral and infectious illnesses. They also have less access to opportunities for routine healthcare and may struggle with chronic mental health conditions. Providing vaccinations for people experiencing homelessness goes a long way to help alleviate some of the health disparities faced by this vulnerable population.
“Every day community pharmacists are increasing access to vaccines by eliminating the need for an appointment, bringing clinics to schools and offices, and having conversations about the importance of vaccination,” said PY2 Pharm.D. student Maria Onusko. “Working with AHOPE and the health department’s mobile team extends that mission and creates opportunities to care for patients in their own community. The innovative and interprofessional healthcare environment in Asheville allows us to overcome barriers often present in traditional healthcare settings.”
“Serving individuals who experience homelessness and other barriers related to social determinants of health always provides me with a fresh perspective on how these patients deserve equity and human connection,” said PY4 Pharm.D. student Katie Marks. “Anyone has the ability to help lighten the load for another, all they must do is listen.”
“Our students did an amazing job easing the anxieties associated with receiving vaccinations, while also providing empathy, compassion, patience and most importantly, listening intently,” said Stephanie Kiser, Director of Rural Health & Interprofessional Clinical Education and Professor of the Practice at the Asheville campus. “Our Asheville campus looks forward to continued partnership with Buncombe County Health and Human Services and their Mobile Outreach Team as they reach out across our community to serve those most in need.”
A full list of faculty and student volunteers can be found below:
Faculty volunteers: Stephanie Kiser, Amanda Savage, and Greene Shepherd
Student volunteers: Luke Burton, Jess Hudak, Maria Onusko, Ingrid Findlay, Zachary Richardson, Katie Howell, Kylie Futrell, and Katie Marks
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