The Village for Families & Children and Genoa Healthcare celebrated the grand opening of a new full-service, on-site pharmacy within The Village’s Wethersfield Avenue campus, Village South, that will increase help for people facing challenges with mental health, substance use disorder and other chronic conditions.
Integrated with The Village’s more than 40 programs and services that help children, adults and families across Greater Hartford and the region, the new pharmacy will significantly boost clients’ access to life-changing support as they work through challenges backed by Genoa’s specialized approach to pharmacy care.
“The creation of this pharmacy speaks to The Village’s commitment to offering our clients and their families integrated care,” said Galo Rodriguez, president & CEO of The Village. “Our holistic approach means better access and outcomes. I’m grateful to Genoa pharmacy and our community partners for helping to make this happen.”
In Connecticut, approximately one in 20 adults live with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression. Genoa’s specialized pharmacy services include using pre-filled pill organizers to help people stay on their medications, proactive outreach calls, help with prior authorizations and other hands-on pharmacy care.
“We are looking forward to providing hands-on, specialized pharmacy care for the community at The Village for Families & Children,” said Megan Garrity, Genoa director of operations for Connecticut. “Experience shows that when people get their medications in the same place they get their mental health care, from a pharmacy team they know and trust, they’re more likely to stay on their medication plans and stay healthier.”
This approach to pharmacy care helps patients stay on their medications at a rate of more than 90%, compared to about 50% with a traditional approach. A study published in a peer-reviewed journal found that this type of integrated pharmacy also reduces emergency room visits and hospitalizations, which significantly reduces the total cost of care.
The new pharmacy is also full service and open to Village staff and clients alike, so they can pick up not only mental health medications but all other medications in one convenient place.
Village and Genoa Healthcare leaders joined for a ribbon cutting ceremony and luncheon to celebrate the grand opening of the pharmacy for the Village community on Thursday, June 30.
