2020 Incentive Grant Recipients

Residents and their Preceptors

Awura Ama Oduro

Project Proposal: Evaluating the Impact of Mental Health Check-In Services by Community-Based Pharmacists on Medication Adherence in Patients with Depression

Awura Ama Oduro, Pharm.D currently serves as the PGY1/MS Community-based Pharmacy Administration Resident with Kroger Pharmacy and The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Oduro graduated from Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Pharmacy.

The current high incidence of mental health related issues highlights the importance of more patient centered services targeting this population. Dr. Oduro believes community pharmacists are in an ideal position to contribute positively to outcomes of these services and patient experience. 

In certain communities, many people misunderstand what a mental health condition is and generally don’t talk about it. This lack of knowledge leads many to believe that a mental health condition is a personal weakness or some sort of punishment from a higher being. Very few people with mental health conditions in these communities seek treatment for their conditions. Being a pharmacist and a native of Ghana, Dr. Oduro would like to help reduce the stigma associated with these conditions by empowering pharmacists to provide services to these patients locally and globally.

"I am honored to receive this grant as it provides an opportunity to contribute to the existing body of knowledge regarding mental health. I believe my project will positively contribute to this knowledge and lead to the development of services within the community pharmacy setting."