Mary Grayson Koonce

National adult vaccination rates continue to fall short of the Healthy People 2030 targets, with social determinants of health further limiting vaccine access and uptake. Pharmacists are well positioned to address these needs due to their accessibility and clinical expertise. Receiving the APhA Foundation Incentive Grant will allow me to implement a pharmacist-led immunization workflow within a free and charitable clinic serving medically underserved adults. This support will help empower pharmacists to close vaccination gaps, improve population health, and demonstrate the profession’s vital impact in preventive care.

My motivation stems from seeing how frequently immunizations are overlooked in healthcare and witnessing the serious effects of vaccine-preventable infections. With growing vaccine hesitancy, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to address patient concerns, provide evidence-based counseling, and offer strong recommendations that build trust. This project allows me to help close care gaps by emphasizing the importance of timely vaccinations and ensuring patients receive the protection they need.

What excites me most is having a tangible impact on patients by playing a part in preventing communicable diseases, knowing that our patients are better protected and that we are doing our due diligence to reduce hospitalizations and optimize patient outcomes. It is incredibly rewarding to see the direct effect of pharmacist-led care on the health and safety of our community. I am eager to help demonstrate how accessible, preventive pharmacy services can make a lasting difference in public health.