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Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy Announces Successful Free Flu Shot Clinic
03 December 07
Grand Rapids, Mich., Dec. 3—Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has a long tradition of giving back to the community. From sponsoring support groups for HIV/AIDS, HEP C, Psoriasis and Crohn’s patients; to participating in and giving financially to NKF Walks, AIDS Walks and other local business initiatives.
On November 28 and 29, 2007, Diplomat partnered with WOOD TV8 and Metro Health Hospital to offer free flu vaccines to West Michigan. For the event, Diplomat donated 1,000 vaccines, organized the vaccination process, co-ordinated vaccinators from Ferris State College and provided three pharmacists to provide patient screenings and injections.
The event was extremely successful, as people began lining up three hours early. Over 700 doses were given the first day alone.
Over and over, the people of West Michigan told the staff how thankful they were for the vaccines. Many said they were laid off, unemployed, or uninsured; and, that without the free clinic they would have gone without the vaccine.
One young woman in her twenties, wearing a scarf on her head, grabbed her friend and went out of her way to offer her words of thanks to a Diplomat team member. She said, “I want you to know how much this means to us. She (her friend) doesn’t have insurance, and I’m undergoing chemo. For her to take care of me, and be in the house with me she needs a flu shot. Without this program, she wouldn’t have been able to get her shot, so thank you very much.”
“We’re proud to have participated in this event along with WOOD TV8, Metro Health and our local community,” said Diplomat Senior Vice President Steve Chaffee. “West Michigan is healthier today because of this combined effort.”
About Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy
Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy is a privately held health care organization focusing on complete medication management programs for patients with serious and chronic conditions. Key programs include: Oncology, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Psoriasis. Other specialty areas include Transplant, Fertility, Dialysis Medication Management, Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy and Specialty Compounding. The company’s Health Services division specializes in Disease Management programs for Chronic Kidney Disease patients, as well as Home and Out-Patient Infusion. With locations in Flint and Grand Rapids, MI; Cleveland, OH; Chicago, IL; and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Diplomat services the specialty pharmacy needs of patients and physicians nationwide.
About Metro Health Hospital Foundation
The Metro Health Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to improving the health and well being of the West Michigan community through philanthropy. The Foundation’s support of Metro Health Hospital allows individuals, organizations and businesses to contribute funds that prevent catastrophic illnesses, provide life-saving education and screenings, improve overall patient care and fund a wide variety of programs and services. For more information, click here.
About Metro Health Hospital
Metro Health Hospital is a 208-bed general acute care osteopathic teaching hospital that serves more than 130,000 patients in Kent and surrounding counties. Metro Health offers a broad range of services, including inpatient and outpatient services, emergency, surgery, intensive care, rehabilitation, wellness and community education. Metro’s work is supported by the Metro Health Hospital Foundation, which is a charitable organization dedicated to improving the health and well being of the West Michigan community through philanthropy. For more information, click here.
