Saint Joseph’s Philadelphia College of Pharmacy Partners with Ivira Health to Open Telehealth Pharmacy
Through an agreement with alumnus-owned Ivira Health, the Ivira Health Community Pharmacy Learning Center will provide students with opportunities for clinical rotations and real-world learning right on campus.
Students enrolled in Saint Joseph’s University’s Philadelphia College of Pharmacy programs soon won’t need to leave campus to gain real-world pharmacy experience. On Thursday, Oct. 24, the University will open the Ivira Health Community Pharmacy Learning Center through an agreement with Ivira Health, a community-focused healthcare company founded by alumnus Jay Patel, PharmD ’13.
Under the guidance of expert practitioners, the learning center will operate as a working telehealth pharmacy for current Ivira Health clients and as a vital learning resource for pharmacy students of all years.
The Ivira Health Community Pharmacy Learning Center, located on the third floor of the University’s Integrated Professional Education Complex (IPEX) in University City, will feature state-of-the-art resources like PioneerRx University, a leading retail pharmacy computer simulation that offers students tools to manage the pharmacy workload, as well as patient medication synchronization.
Students will also interface with real patients via telehealth services, helping to manage medication therapy and chronic diseases, and offering patients education and counseling services as needed. The experience not only helps students put classroom concepts into action, but it also allows them to practice skills like remote prescription verification, virtual patient consultations and telepharmacy etiquette — increasingly necessary skills as the demand for telehealth services continues to rise.
“The new on-campus telepharmacy will provide our students with invaluable hands-on experience in this emerging field,” says Edward Foote, BS ’87 PharmD ’87, dean of Saint Joseph’s Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. “By integrating real-world telepharmacy operations into our curriculum, we are ensuring that our graduates are at the forefront of healthcare innovation and prepared to meet the growing demand for remote pharmacy services.”
Patel, Ivira Health’s CEO and a Philadelphia College of Pharmacy alumnus, says the partnership with Saint Joseph’s is a dream come true.
“This partnership not only honors my roots but also propels us forward in shaping the next generation of pharmacists who will be well-versed in both traditional and digital healthcare solutions,” he says. “It's a perfect blend of heritage and progress, and I couldn't be more excited about the possibilities this opens up for students, faculty and patients alike.”
Members of the University community are invited to a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Ivira Health Community Pharmacy Learning Center at 1 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2024, on the third floor of the University’s Integrated Professional Education Complex (IPEX) in University City.
Disclaimer: The Ivira Health Community Pharmacy Learning Center is a telehealth and telepharmacy clinic only. There are no medications on site, money is not collected and patients do not come to the site.
