Melissa Hozack (photo courtesy of Courtney Todd)
Redcliff, AB -- A pharmacist's own commitment to losing weight led to a successful health promotion initiative.
About 300 people in Redcliff, Alta. shed a collective 7,000 pounds over the past two years thanks to a comprehensive weight loss program provided by Melissa Hozack, a clinical pharmacist and co-owner of the town's Pharmasave. But such impressive lost poundage isn't the only measure of the pharmacy program's success. Hozack has also demonstrated a range of positive clinical results such as improved blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, dose reductions and even the elimination of some prescription medications, and improvements in mental health and self-esteem.
The initiative started in 2013 when Hozack was herself struggling to lose extra pounds following the birth of her third child. After researching the various weight loss strategies available, she decided to transform her pharmacy practice and offer patients a weight loss method that targets the physical and mental health aspects related to obesity. Hozack's approach, which takes advantage of pharmacists' expanded scope opportunities and compensation under the Alberta Pharmacy Services Framework, complements the care she provides as a pharmacist while actively coaching her patients in weight loss.
Hozack's personal participation in the weight loss program -- she lost 100 pounds over seven months -- helped to engage patients and boost her program's reputation for success. "With Melissa's help, I feel like a totally different person and I cannot thank her enough for having the foresight to find a protocol to help so many of us struggling with weight and blood sugar issues," wrote one patient. "It is great that she went on the protocol herself and lost her weight also, as she knows the struggles we all face."
The leadership shown by Hozack is an inspiration to other pharmacists and physicians within the community, said her nominator for the award. "Her leadership has elevated the quality of care delivered by all health professionals in the community and advanced the quality of care and advanced the pharmacy profession as a whole in Redcliff."
The Commitment to Care & Service Awards honour excellence in all aspects of pharmacy practice. Awards are presented in seven categories: Advanced Learning, Charitable Work; Health Promotion, Overall Patient Care; Pharmacy Innovation; Pharmacy Technician Initiatives; and Student Leadership.
The Commitment to Care & Service Award for Health Promotion is sponsored by McKesson Canada.
For more information about the Commitment to Care & Service Awards, please contact Vicki Wood at 416-764-3923 or Vicki.wood@rci.rogers.com.