"Let’s Talk About Change: Prescription Affordability" event to be held at Geisinger Commonwealth

The purpose of the event is to provide the community with a way to communicate with providers and policymakers about their challenges in accessing prescription drugs and adhering to recommended medication regimens with the hope that the ensuing dialogue will spark constructive change.

The event will be held on Saturday, May 11 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, 525 Pine Street, Scranton.

According to organizers, Katarina Smigoc and Terrence Habiyaremye, “Let’s Talk About Change: Prescription Affordability” is the result of preliminary research the medical students undertook to identify a health problem of particular concern in the Scranton area and then to assess the public’s experiences and attitudes surrounding it. The research revealed that the cost of prescription drugs is a significant challenge to many members of the community.

GCSOM students are partnering with the Hope Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the United Neighborhood Centers and The Wright Center to plan “Let’s Talk About Change: Prescription Affordability,” which will consist of patient stories, group discussions and a question-and-answer panel discussion. Sarah Bodnar, director of community health at the United Neighborhood Center, will deliver a keynote address.

Primary Care Progress is a national action network dedicated to supporting the next generation of health professionals in transforming the nation’s primary care system. The Catalyst Project is a Primary Care Progress initiative through which students investigate community health needs and facilitate discussion between community members and healthcare professionals.

The event is free and open to the public but registration is requested. Please RSVP by leaving a name and contact number via email to pcpatgcsom@gmail.com or by calling or texting 570-291-8474.

Agenda for the event:

• 8 – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast and registration
• 8:30 – 8:45 a.m. Introduction – What is Catalyst?
• 8:45 – 9 a.m. Prescription affordability in Lackawanna County
• 9 – 9:30 a.m. Keynote address: Sarah Bodnar, director of community health,UNC NEPA
• 9:30 – 10 a.m. Patient stories
• 10 – 10:30 a.m. Q&A with Sarah Bodnar and patients
• 10:30 – 10:45 a.m. Break
• 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Small group facilitated discussion
• 11:30 – Noon Reconvening and call to action
• Noon – 1 p.m. Lunch
  
  

About Geisinger
Geisinger is among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the non-profit system generates $10 billion in annual revenues across 134 care sites - including 10 hospital campuses, and Geisinger Health Plan, with 600,000 members in commercial and government plans. The Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 5,000 medical professionals annually and conducts more than 1,400 clinical research studies. With 26,000 employees, including 1,600 employed physicians, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania’s largest employers with an estimated economic impact of $14 billion to the state’s economy. On March 31, 2024, Geisinger became the first member of Risant Health, a new nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country.  Learn more at geisinger.org or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.