Wilkes University Student Pharmacist Alexandra Grudeski Named to CVS Health Foundation Scholars Program

2017 Aug 28

Wilkes University student pharmacist Alexandra Grudeski of Gouldsboro, Pa., 18424 participated in the CVS Health Foundation Scholars Program in summer 2017. The program, which was created in collaboration with Pharmacy Quality Alliance and the CVS Health Foundation, works to foster student engagement in performance measurement and quality improvement while working with a mentor to implement their quality-based project. The 20 selected scholars will present the results of their work during the 2018 PQA Annual Meeting poster session.

Grudeski's project entitled, "Combatting the Opioid Epidemic - The Power of Naloxone within Pharmacies," focused on supplying naloxone to pharmacies across the region. Naloxone is a medication used to reverse an opioid overdose. Working with Ellie O'Dea, an alumna of the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy, she will be measuring the progress by seeing how many naloxone prescriptions are filled when counseling and pamphlets on naloxone are offered versus when it is not conversed to patients in an open manner.

Grudeski will present her research at two conferences, one in Alexandria, Va., and another in Baltimore, Md., in 2018.

Grudeski also completed a summer leadership internship with CVS pharmacy in Cape Cod, Mass., working 50-60 hours per week across the region to ensure Genuine Care was achieved and metric scores of patient satisfaction were improved upon as well as learning more about the company and becoming managers in all positions. Grudeski participates in a variety of campus organizations including Student Government where she served as the 2016-2017 president.