This past Sunday (9/24), a representative group of UGA College of Pharmacy students from all four years attended a community engagement program at the Ebenezer Baptist Church West in Athens titled, “Building Bridges to a Better Future.” The purpose of this event was to discuss issues faced by the citizens of Athens-Clarke and surrounding counties. The keynote speaker was the Honorable Carl Gilliard, State House Representative for District 162 and Chairman of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus.

Guest speakers included Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz, ACCDC Chair Tim Denson, State Representative Spencer Frye, Athens-Clarke County Sheriff John Q. Williams, former State Representative William Bodie, and CoP’s Dr. Brian Seagraves. Dr. Seagraves addressed the need for funding and the challenges faced when providing healthcare services to those in the community living in poverty and suffering from health disparities.

The pharmacy students were able to see one aspect of how a pharmacist can be engaged in healthcare advocacy within the community and what a community pharmacist is able to do outside the walls of the pharmacy.

Ahmad Goolsby, P2, commented, “Dr. Seagraves’ speech was wonderfully done. I also think the messages that came afterwards were good and important for students to hear regardless of where they are politically. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to be engaged in our community.”