Operation Heart enthusiasm
Katherine Germain is a final-year PharmD candidate at the Idaho State University College of Pharmacy–Anchorage.
The 2022–2023 school year for the Idaho State University (IDSU) College of Pharmacy APhA– ASP Chapter Operation Heart patient care project started with reviving student involvement as COVID-19 restrictions for campus activities were rescinded. The shift to in-person classes brought newfound enthusiasm to this project on each of IDSU’s three campuses. And it was that enthusiasm that led to our chapter receiving the Operation Heart National Award at APhA2024 in Orlando this past March.
Providing care for the underserved
A large focus of our events that year was bringing patient care to underserved populations. Numerous events were hosted by Operation Heart in Alaska and Idaho to benefit local and underserved communities. These included homeless communities, Hispanic communities, rural Alaska communities, rural Idaho communities, and older adults residing in assisted-living homes.
The biggest impact we had that year would undoubtedly be within the Hispanic community in Boise, ID. Nearly every week of that academic year, Operation Heart provided health screenings in the form of blood pressure checks and total lipid panel readings to people in the community at the Mexican Consulate. Operation Heart worked with chapter members involved with Operation Diabetes and Operation Immunization to help offer and deliver all-inclusive vaccinations and health screenings on top of education, counseling, and referrals to local providers and resources in the community.
Our student pharmacists learned to navigate cultural and language barriers while implementing their knowledge from the classroom and applying it to real patient interaction.
Moreover, Operation Heart served several rural communities in Idaho and Alaska over the year. In Idaho, events were held at the Farmway Village in Caldwell, Unity Table in Jerome, and Latino Fest in Twin Falls—areas known for health care disparities—where patients were provided education and screening regarding cardiovascular health.
In Alaska, Operation Heart held an event in the rural communities of Chenega and Tatitlek. These communities are small villages of fewer than 100 residents. Located in southeast Alaska and only accessible by boat, the residents have limited access to health care. Operation Heart provided screenings to the residents and education on healthy lifestyle choices for which the residents expressed extreme gratitude.
Showcasing our skills for state legislators
The Operation Heart team this year also created new events with a goal of continuing student involvement in the community. A unique event that year was having Operation Heart host a health clinic inside the Alaska state capitol building. Students advertised the health clinic to the legislative members and staff beforehand and set up the health clinic inside one of the offices of the Alaska Capitol building.
This event allowed student pharmacists to showcase their clinical knowledge to members of the Alaska legislature while also providing patient care.
Honing our skills
The events mentioned previously are just a small portion of what was achieved in that academic year, with our total number of events being a little under 50. Our Operation Heart team was passionate about bringing health care to the underserved, and our student pharmacists in turn got to apply and hone their career skills while directly benefiting the community.