2024 Incentive Grant Recipient: Keondrece Williams, PharmD
Project Proposal: Assessing Pharmacist Led Education on the Impact of HPV Vaccination in Men Aged 18-45 Years Old
Keondrece Williams is a PGY1 Community-based Pharmacy Resident with UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and Harris Teeter in Charlotte, NC. She graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina.
“Pharmacists are established educators, advocates, and qualified providers of vaccination. It is crucial that pharmacists, especially those in the community-based setting, educate patients on the benefits of being up to date on vaccinations. The human papilloma virus vaccine has been proven safe and effective, but unfortunately, has a negative stigma in the male population. By providing knowledge and resources about this vaccine, could help potentially break this stigma and keep our communities healthy.”
"Human papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most common viral sexually transmitted infection in the world that is known to cause a high number of oropharyngeal cancers, especially in the male population. Though there is a highly effective vaccine to prevent these cancers, there is a low rate of vaccine completion in men. This project aims to educate men on the importance of receiving this vaccine, increase pharmacist comfortability of initiating conversation, and increase vaccinations to decrease the rate of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer."
"I am most excited about watching this study fulfill its purpose, by providing knowledge and education about the HPV vaccine, which can help contribute to decrease the risk of developing cancer. It is our duty as community-based pharmacists to ensure that our patients live the healthiest lives possible, which includes being properly vaccinated. I am honored to excited to be a recipient of the APhA Foundation Incentive Grant this year because it gives me the opportunity to truly focus on providing the best knowledge and care for patients."