LECOM alumni open pharmacy in Erie County Months of ownership and replanning and hard lated topics.” work have finally “We had a paid off for Rebecca lot of strong Wise, Pharm.D., ties through the and Paul BerkeLECOM program bile, Pharm.D., to the healthcare graduates of the community, and LECOM School we want to continof Pharmacy Class ue that,” Dr. Berkeof 2005, who have bile added. He said opened their own their emphasis will business together be on providing — Lakeside Health quality health care. Mart Pharmacy. Dr. Berkebile They celebrated said they will dewith a grand openvelop relationships ing this year in with patients and Edinboro, Pa. physicians. “My During an open value is not saying, house, Dr. Wise Paul Berkebile, Pharm.D., and Rebecca Wise, Pharm.D., cut a red ribbon to mark the grand opening of the ‘yes that prescripand Dr. Berkebile Lakeside Health Mart Pharmacy in Edinboro, Pa. Looking on in the background is a group of LECOM School tion is ready to proudly cut the go,’” Dr. Berkebile of Pharmacy students and Hershey Bell, M.D., M.S., dean of the LECOM School of Pharmacy, right. ribbon outside the said. “It’s looking pharmacy comat drug interactions, different disease states that mencing a tour of patients have, alerting them to issues and possibly the pharmacy by alerting physicians to issues that I see.” community memWhile many LECOM School of Pharmacy bers and representagraduates work in retail settings, clinical settings tives from the local or hospitals, it is very unique to have two graducommunity who ates go into business on their own. Hershey Bell, had a chance to talk M.D., M.S., dean of the LECOM School of to the new business Pharmacy, said he is grateful that Dr. Wise and owners. Dr. Wise Dr. Berkebile will work with LECOM. and Dr. Berkebile “They’re obviously very appreciative of the both worked in education that they received, and as educators retail pharmacy setthemselves, they want to become a part of the tings before decideducational mission,” Dr. Bell said. “It’s just a Dr. Wise and Dr. Berkebile, 2005 LECOM School of Pharmacy ing to branch out wonderful opportunity for a new kind of partnergraduates, decided to open their own pharmacy to serve the health on their own. ship for our school.” LECOM phar- care needs of Edinboro. Lakeside Health Mart Pharmacy is unique macy students also and innovative in several ways. There is a sepatook part in the grand opening festivities by educating customers rate waiting room with a children’s play section, an area to view about adult immunizations, which are offered at the pharmacy, educational videos, and a gift shop offering items from local and poison prevention. LECOM pharmacy students will complete artists and businesses. These amenities are located away from the clinical rotations at the pharmacy under the direction of Dr. Wise pharmacy to insure patients have privacy when picking up their and Dr. Berkebile, who are also adjunct clinical faculty members prescriptions. at LECOM. Pharmacists can talk to customers in a separate, private paAs LECOM graduates, the pharmacists know they are role tient counseling room. The pharmacy uses green products and models for current students. “Hopefully we’re setting the best exadheres to environmentally-friendly practices. Lakeside Health ample,” said Dr. Wise. Mart Pharmacy offers home delivery anywhere in Erie and She is excited to give back to her alma mater. “We’re going northern Crawford counties. They will also conduct free monthto take on the education of LECOM students,” she said. “We’re ly public health information seminars at the pharmacy. For more also going to give them lectures on management, on business information, contact the pharmacy at (814) 734-8500.
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