Most of the U.S. population has easy access to health care through community pharmacies. In fact, approximately 90% of Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy, making pharmacists the most accessible health care provider. While chain pharmacies are prevalent in many areas, independent pharmacies and regional franchises are the primary pharmacy options in rural areas. In Tennessee, independent pharmacies play a vital role in providing accessible and community-focused personal health care.
The images of customers patiently waiting for a milkshake at a local pharmacy soda fountain, while the pharmacist who knows everyone by name and tends to the health care needs of their neighbors, remain iconic symbols in the cultural consciousness of our nation. These images portray how pharmacies are more than just health care providers. They are community centers offering general goods and services along with much-needed prescriptions.
As exemplified in this five-part Community Pharmacy Series, independent pharmacies led by UT Health Science Center College of Pharmacy graduates continue to provide community-focused, personalized, and compassionate health care to their communities across the state. These pharmacies embody the unwavering commitment of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy to the vision of Healthy Tennesseans. Thriving Communities.
The pharmacists featured embody the UT Health Science Center College of Pharmacy’s dedication to educating graduates with a person-centered approach to health care. Whether serving in small towns in rural Tennessee or increasing access to underserved communities in the state’s cities, UT Health Science Center alumni are transforming pharmacy care through innovation, service, and compassion.
Read the stories, as available:
This series was originally featured in the Fall 2024 issue of the College of Pharmacy Magazine. If you have a story to tell about making a difference in your community or would like to highlight your community pharmacy, contact Nathan Ball, communications and marketing manager for the College of Pharmacy, at nball2@uthsc.edu.