Pharmacy Academy News - January 2026

Transitions of care occur when patients move between healthcare settings or providers and represent a period of heightened vulnerability for medical errors. Medication‑related problems are particularly common during these transitions. Nearly 20% of Medicare beneficiaries are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge, and up to 80% of patients experience at least one medication discrepancy at the time of hospital discharge^1,2. These adverse outcomes are multifactorial in origin, with communication failures frequently identified as a contributing factor. Common challenges include delayed or incomplete communication between inpatient and outpatient providers, inaccurate medication reconciliation, and insufficient patient or caregiver understanding of the disease process, newly prescribed medications, or post‑discharge care plans ². Pharmacists possess the clinical training and expertise necessary to identify, prevent, and resolve medication‑related issues, positioning them to play a critical role in reducing hospital readmissions and improving the safety and quality of care transitions.

 A research study conducted by an interprofessional team from West Virginia University (WVU), including Pharmacy Academy member Gina Baugh, PharmD, FNAP, examined the impact of an interprofessional huddle embedded within a telemedicine transitions‑of‑care clinic serving a rural Appalachian community. Pre‑licensure and early clinical students from medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, and public health participated in the program. Prior to each telehealth encounter, students engaged in a structured interprofessional huddle to review hospitalization details, identify gaps in care and barriers to access, and develop coordinated, team‑based interventions. Students then participated in live telemedicine visits, assuming profession‑specific responsibilities such as medication reconciliation and patient education.³

How to be a Hear-O: 
Leveraging interdisciplinary partnerships to improve hearing healthcare

by Sarah A. Sydlowski, AuD, PhD, MBA, FNAP
Cleveland Clinic

If you live long enough, there is a nearly 100% chance that you will live with some degree of hearing loss. You probably already know and interact on a regular basis with someone who has hearing loss. Hearing loss is the third most common chronic health condition among older adults, currently affecting nearly 40 million people¹. Even more concerning, approximately 29 million are untreated – living with a condition they believe is just a “normal” consequence of aging. Yes, hearing loss in older adults is common. But that fact doesn’t mean that it should not be managed.

NATIONAL ACADEMIES OF PRACTICE WELCOMES THE PUBLIC HEALTH ACADEMY

The National Academies of Practice (NAP) held their 2025 Annual Meeting and Forum on March 13-15, 2025, and as part of this event, welcomed their newest academy – Public Health.

The Role of Athletic Trainers in Managing Asthma

by Sarah Manspeaker, PhD, LAT, ATC, FNAP • Laura Kunkel, EdD, LAT, ATC, FNAP • Kelley Henderson, EdD, LAT, ATC, FNAP • Ericka Zimmerman, EdD, LAT, ATC, FNAP • MaryBeth Horodyski, EdD, LAT, ATC, FNATA, FNAP • Chris O’Brien, PhD, LAT, ATC, FASAHP, FNAP

Asthma is one of the leading non-communicable diseases affecting children and adults. In celebration of National Athletic Training Month (March) and in advance of Asthma Awareness Month (May), it is valuable to note the role of athletic trainers in the education and management of asthma among people who are physically active. As athletic trainers, we have the opportunity to collaborate with other health care professionals to enhance participation and quality of life for those impacted by asthma. In the month of March, as we aim to spread awareness about the important work of athletic trainers, we are highlighting athletic trainers as we are “Champions in Health Care” in many areas, including that of asthma prevention and management.

Audiologic Care and the National Academies of Practice

by Brenna Carroll, AuD • Nancy Green, AuD • Carrie Meyer, AuD

What is Audiologic Care?
Audiologic care is the protection, preservation, evaluation and treatment of the hearing and balance functions of the human audio-vestibular system, provided only by audiologists, either individually or as part of a health care team, who use their professional skills to improve the quality of life for each patient. Audiologists also provide programming and patient training in the use of hearing aids, surgically implanted devices such as cochlear implants, and assistive listening devices.