FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2017
Media Contacts:
Chad Clinton
Associate Director, Public Relations
American Pharmacists Association
(202) 429-7558
WASHINGTON, DC – The Rhode Island Pharmacists Association (RIPA) has selected Gary S. Kishfy, RPh, as the recipient of the 2017 Bowl of Hygeia Award for outstanding community service. Kishfy was presented the award at the 143rd RIPA President's Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, August 31. The Bowl of Hygeia is sponsored by the American Pharmacists Association Foundation, the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations, and the American Pharmacists Association, with support from Boehringer Ingelheim.
Kishfy has contributed to his community since graduating from the University Of Rhode Island College Of Pharmacy in 1985. He is the independent community pharmacy owner of Blackstone Valley Pharmacy. Kishfy exemplifies the qualities of a true community pharmacist by recognizing the diverse needs of his community and providing them with a variety of resources. He supports families, seniors, and especially the Spanish population by putting his relationships with patients and families first and hiring bilingual staff to serve the needs of Pawtucket residents. Kishfy is eager to assist patients with medication adherence solutions and resolve affordability issues by providing bilingual MTM services for his patients. He provides home visits where he and his technicians review patient's medications and answer questions. He has partnered with various provider groups to package medications to improve medication adherence and reduce risks for patients during care transitions.
Kishfy annually volunteers his time and energy serving the Blackstone Valley community at various blood pressure and diabetes screenings and at educational events. He also volunteers at Atria Senior Living to present disease state education and self-management on diabetes, hypertension, and Parkinson’s diseases, at the BCBSRI membership Fair offering screening and health information for people with diabetes, and with the Progressive Latino Organization of Central Falls to help individuals with medication affordability issues.
Kishfy’s state and local affiliations include the Northeast Pharmacy Service Corporation, the American Pharmacists Association, the CT Chamber of Commerce on behalf of Woolworth The Rx Place, and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Rhode Island Therapeutics Committee.
Established in 1958, the Bowl of Hygeia Award recognizes pharmacists who possess outstanding records of civic leadership in their communities and encourages pharmacists to take an active role in the affairs of their respective communities. The award is presented annually by participating state pharmacist associations, including those in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In addition to service through their local, state and national pharmacy associations, award recipients have devoted their time, talent, and resources to a wide variety of causes and community service.
The Bowl of Hygeia is the most widely recognized international symbol for the pharmacy profession and is considered one of the profession’s most prestigious awards. The Bowl of Hygeia has been associated with the pharmacy profession since as early as 1796 when the symbol was used on a coin minted for the Parisian Society of Pharmacy. The bowl represents a medicinal potion and the snake represents healing. Healing through medicine is precisely why the pharmacy profession has adopted the Bowl of Hygeia symbol.
About the American Pharmacists Association Foundation
The APhA Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., is a trusted source of research demonstrating how pharmacists can improve health care. The APhA Foundation’s mission is to improve people’s health through pharmacists’ patient care services. The APhA Foundation is affiliated with the American Pharmacists Association, the national professional society of pharmacists in the U.S. For more information, please visit the APhA Foundation website www.aphafoundation.org. Follow the APhA Foundation on Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates.
About the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations
The National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA) promotes leadership, sharing, learning, and policy exchange among pharmacy leaders in all 50 states and Washington, DC, and provides education and advocacy to support pharmacists, patients, and communities working together to improve public health. NASPA was founded in 1927 as the National Council of State Pharmacy Association Executives (NCSPAE). For more information, please visit the NASPA website www.naspa.us.