Pacific's Medicare Health Clinics return in-person with added COVID-19 tests, vaccines

The University of the Pacific Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy kicked off its 15th year serving the community with free Medicare services. 

This year, the Medicare Health Clinics returned with in-person services after last year's events were provided online due to COVID-19 social gathering restrictions.

“It's the only program of its type ... if you're an older adult, where can you get someone who's going to review all of your drug plans and identify the best one for you and help you with enrollment, and they don't have a vested interest,” said Rajul Patel, a pharmacy professor at Pacific. “We're not trying to sell them anything or push them into any plan. We're trying to be an objective, unbiased resource.” 

Over the span of two days, the clinic expects to serve more than 300 clients.

“We've noticed that about 75% of people are paying more than they have to for their medications and it's just under $1,000 ... Many older adults are on fixed income and have limited resources, so that's not insignificant amount of money,” Patel said. 

Over the years, the most popular services provided at the clinics are the review of the patients' Medicare Part D plan, medication review and blood pressure screenings.  

Other services include diabetes screening, cholesterol testing, bone density screening and flu shots. This year, the clinic added COVID-19 testing, vaccinations and booster shots through a partnership with San Joaquin General Hospital and San Joaquin County Public Health Services.  

“It was terrific. Students were knowledgeable, efficient and pleasant. The experience was very helpful,” reported Phillip R. Oppenheimer, the former dean of Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. 

In addition to new COVID-19 services, the clinics now uses “pocket talker,” an audio device that students use with their clients to facilitate hearing during consultations.  

“The pocket talkers are really useful, especially when there's a lot of patients and students in one room, it is hard for them to hear. So, it's great for them to have headphones on and then we can speak into mics and they can control the volume and it just makes everything easier, makes us more clear to the patients,” said Noah Jacala, a Pacific pharmacy student.

Marie Love, a Pacific alumni and first-time clinic patient, received her COVID-19 booster shot in addition to two more services all free of charge.

“I think it's a great benefit to the community. I think more people should know about it,” Love said. “I would definitely advise people to come and participate. I think you get a lot of good information,” 

Services are provided in-person or virtually. Anyone interested in receiving services at in-person clinics must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. 

“We all find it very rewarding that we're able to give back to Stockton, to give back to the community, meet new patients, and also foster our own professional skills,” Jacala said. 

In addition to the school’s services, Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Medical Center provided health related social needs screenings. Individuals interested filled out a 10-question form screening and if needed referrals were made. For more information, call 211 or visit 211sj.org/ 

For upcoming Medicare Health Clinics or for more information, call 209-910-DRUG (3784) or visit pharmacy.pacific.edu/pharmacy/medicare

Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers breaking news. She can be reached at arocha@recordnet.com or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.