School of Pharmacy’s Wellness Institute holds annual seminar

Buies Creek—Campbell University’s School of Pharmacy held its annual Dr. Joseph W. Baggett Healthcare Enhancement Seminar, Saturday, Sept. 20. The focus of the free seminar for health care professionals was the efforts being made by scientists and clinicians to improve the availability of vaccines and the use of immunization services. This annual continuing education seminar is just one of the many facets of the School of Pharmacy’s Wellness Institute, a program endowed by the late Fayetteville physician Dr. Joseph W. Baggett for the prevention of disease.

“Through a variety of yearly activities, Campbell’s Wellness Institute is being used to improve wellness education both for patients and health care providers,” said Dr. Gil Steiner, associate professor of pharmacy and director of the Institute. “There has been a paradigm shift from treatment to prevention over the past decade, especially with rising healthcare costs. As this shift has occurred, it has become imperative that each individual is educated and participates in his or her own health care.”

Toward that goal, the Wellness Institute not only offers the free educational seminar for health care professionals, but outreach programs in the schools and the community that emphasize wellness and encourage individuals to be more proactive about their own health care. Campbell pharmacy residents visit area middle schools several times a year to present educational programs on issues such as substance abuse, how to take medications properly and other health issues affecting their population. Health fairs and screenings for the general adult consumer are also offered several times a year. The screenings include a variety of procedures such as blood pressure checks, medication reviews, bone-density screening and others.

Another component of the Wellness Institute is a diabetes program designed to educate Campbell employees and their dependents who have the disease. This program of monthly visits with a diabetes specialist faculty member encourages self-care management including medication, nutrition and exercise. Campbell also participates in the annual North Carolina Tour de Cure, a bicycle marathon that raises money for diabetes research.

“The program has proven very effective since it was begun in 2003,” Steiner said. “I believe that people are generally very positive and appreciative of our services.”

Saturday’s seminar drew approximately 60 health care providers, including pharmacists and physicians. Among the presenters were Dr. Stanley Schaffer, M.D., associate professor of Pediatrics and Community and Preventive Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry; Dr. Laura White, research assistant and professor at the Carolina Vaccine Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and Dr. Terri S. Hamrick, assistant professor of pharmacy at Campbell University.

Photo Copy: The Campbell University School of Pharmacy held its annual educational seminar for health care professionals on Saturday, Sept. 20. From left, Stanley Schaffer, M.D., Dr. Laura White, Dr. Terri Hamrick and Dr. Gilbert Steiner.