Gretchen
Garofoli,
PharmD, BCACP, CTTS
Associate Professor
West Virginia University
Gretchen K. Garofoli, PharmD, BCACP, CTTS is an Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy at West Virginia University (WVU) School of Pharmacy. Her current practice site is Waterfront Family Pharmacy in Morgantown, WV where she focuses on immunizations, diabetes care, medication synchronization, adherence packaging, and medication therapy management. Dr. Garofoli has been involved with the COVID-19 vaccination effort and has organized health professional student volunteers for numerous clinics at WVU. Dr. Garofoli also serves as a facilitator for Interprofessional Education (IPE) activities at WVU Health Sciences Center (HSC) and assists with other IPE related outreach.
Presenting at the Nexus Summit:
West Virginia is often recognized for being ranked LAST in many areas of health including obesity rates and smoking. This is in sharp contrast to the state's COVID-19 response efforts, as WV was recognized nationally and internationally for its leading vaccination rates. Part of this success was due to the WV Vaccine Administration, Collaboration, and Support (WV VACS) Team, a partnership between the WV National Guard (WVNG), the WV Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR), and the WV Higher Education Policy Commission (WV HEPC). Faculty and students from various healthcare colleges…
Background:The West Virginia Vaccine Administration, Collaboration, and Support (WV VACS) Team is a partnership between the WV National Guard (WVNG), the WV Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR), and the WV Higher Education Policy Commission (WV HEPC) trains and deploys interprofessional teams of health sciences students to help with the COVID-19 vaccination efforts statewide. Students work with local health departments, hospitals, and community health partners. A grant was secured through the HEPC to fund this effort.Methods:A coordinator was hired to oversee the VACS program,…