October proclaimed American Pharmacists Month in Oxford

Dean David D. Allen (left), student Kelsey Stephens and Oxford Mayor Pat Patterson

ayor George “Pat” Patterson has declared October as American Pharmacists Month in Oxford. Patterson signed the proclamation in support of the American Pharmacists Association’s national campaign “Know Your Pharmacist – Know Your Medicine.”

“We are very pleased to recognize the important work that pharmacists provide to our community,” Patterson said. “As one of the oldest and most trusted professions, pharmacists do a great deal to improve the health and well-being of our citizens.”

Although initially signed by the mayor in October 2014, the proclamation was officially read at Oxford’s Board of Aldermen meeting on Oct. 6, 2015. Dean David D. Allen and first-year professional student Justin Cabral of Arrington, Tennessee, represented the School of Pharmacy at the meeting.

Allen, who was asked by the mayor to address the Board of Aldermen at the meeting, said he feels honored that the profession of pharmacy has been supported in this manner.

“American Pharmacists Month serves an incredibly important purpose by raising awareness of all that pharmacists do,” Allen said. “It was humbling to see our profession recognized by the city of Oxford with this proclamation. I’m so thankful for Mayor Patterson’s leadership, as well as his support of local pharmacists and the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy.”

Kelsey Stephens, APhA-Academy of Student Pharmacists chapter president and third-year professional student, attended the first meeting with Patterson and Allen in 2014.

“It was a very exciting process, meeting with city officials and explaining the importance of the pharmacy profession,” said Stephens, a Greenwood native. “I am honored to have been a part of this step in helping recognize pharmacists across our city and state.”

The proclamation states that “pharmacy professionals are an integral part of the health care team serving as medication experts,” and that "Mississippi’s licensed pharmacists provide an invaluable service."

Justin Cabral, first-year professional student, and Dean David D. Allen attend the Board of Aldermen meeting where the proclamation was read.

On the local, state and national levels, American Pharmacists Month aims to elevate awareness of the role a pharmacist plays in health care and to promote the profession of pharmacy as a whole. For more information on the national campaign, visit http://www.pharmacist.com/american-pharmacists-month.

Full text of Oxford’s American Pharmacists Month Proclamation

Whereas, pharmacy is recognized throughout the nation as one of the oldest health professions that promotes the well-being and health of all people; and

Whereas, pharmacy professionals are an integral part of the health care team serving as medication experts; and

Whereas, Mississippi’s licensed pharmacists provide an invaluable service by ensuring safe and cost-effective use of all medications; and

Whereas, it is important for all users of prescription and nonprescription medications, or their caregivers, to be knowledgeable about and share responsibility for their own drug therapy; and

Whereas, pharmacists provide both expertise and accessibility which are crucial to patients fully optimizing access to medications that are not self-administered such as, but not limited to immunizations; and

Whereas, pharmacists are best positioned to be the health care professionals to help ensure patients are adherent to their medications, and provide patient care that ensures optimal medication therapy outcomes; and

Whereas, the American Pharmacists Association has declared October as American Pharmacists Month with the theme – “Know your Pharmacist, Know your Medicine.”

Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, George “Pat” Patterson, do hereby proclaim October as American Pharmacists Month in the city Oxford of Mississippi and urge all our citizens to acknowledge the valuable services of pharmacists to provide safe, affordable and beneficial pharmaceutical care services and products to all citizens.