Pharmacy students, professor awarded as ‘Noble Neighbor’

The College of Pharmacy was recently awarded the Noble Neighbor Award, the highest award given by Faith Family Medical Clinic.

Janel Shoun-Smith  |  10/16/2023

Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy was recently awarded the Noble Neighbor Award from Faith Family Medical Clinic, a Nashville-based provider of low-cost, high-quality primary care for those who do not have health insurance. 

The Noble Neighbor Award is the highest honor given by the medical center to an individual or organization who has demonstrated exemplary and inspiring service to Faith Family’s patients in ways that provide significant and lasting impact beyond the clinic’s walls. 

For nearly a decade, Dr. Sarah Uroza, associate professor of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, and her team of Lipscomb student pharmacists have managed the Faith Family Patient Assistance Program, matching needy patients with free medications offered through a network of charitable foundations operated by various pharmaceutical companies. This program enables the clinic to provide free medications to its patients, nearly $4 million dollars’ worth last year alone

Uroza’s team handles the entire application process for patients, simplifying the process and reducing denials by the companies, said Uroza. The team also assists the clinical team on Chronic Disease Days, hosted 10 times per year, serving patients who suffer from diabetes or hypertension, and hold one-on-one consultations with patients to make sure they understand how to take the drugs and use medical devices. 

“We could not provide the depth and breadth of care to our patients without the excellent and dedicated work of Dr. Sarah Uroza and her team. Also, we could not offer the incredibly valuable services of Dr. Uroza without the generosity of the Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy making it possible for her to practice 20 hours/week at our clinic,” said Reggie Ramsey, chair of the Board of Directors of Faith Family.

“Sarah’s work is incredibly important in a patient population that often struggles with language and communication barriers,” said Parker Panovec (’86), chief medical officer at Faith Family. “It’s great for patients to get their needed medications, but if they don’t know how to use them, it doesn’t do them any good. It’s important to have someone to sit down with patients and explain how to use medications.”

For Lipscomb students, the Faith Family’s Patient Assistance Program offers a valuable training opportunity that involves problem-solving and patient education. They expand their awareness of treatment options and are able to practice real-world patient consultations. 

Dr. Tom Campbell, dean and associate professor of pharmacy practice at Lipscomb, and Dr. Uroza accepted the award at a ceremony on Oct. 4.

Faith Family Medical was established in 2001 and specializes in patients who earn just enough to fall into the Medicare and Medicaid gap. Lipscomb alumnus Phil Ellenburg (’86) serves as president and CEO.