Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has received a $100,910 grant from The Hortense and Louis Rubin Community Health Fund of The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region.
With this funding, the College’s public health practice site, The Collaboratory, located in Albany’s South End, will launch a series of six Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) screening sessions annually. These events are designed to focus on low-income communities disproportionately affected by kidney-related health issues, including Albany’s South End, West Hill, Arbor Hill, and North Albany.
ACPHS' expansion of critical public health services for underserved communities in Albany is made possible through a collaboration with Trinity Alliance’s Wellness Advocates Linking Communities (WALC). ACPHS students and public health professionals' partner with experienced community health workers to bridge gaps in health-care access and improve outcomes for medically underserved populations.
“Community and collaboration are two of the core values that define ACPHS, and this program exemplifies our deep commitment to both. It also underscores our dedication to serving the broader community—an essential pillar of our institutional strategic plan,” said Director of Research and Sponsored Programs, Joseph Carreno ’10, PharmD, MPH. “Our sincere thanks to The Community Foundation, whose generosity and shared vision made this possible. Their support is a powerful reminder of how aligning our goals can create lasting, meaningful impact in the community.”
The grant will also enable in-home and mobile health education and screening services, ensuring that homebound and disabled individuals receive the care they need. The Collaboratory anticipates serving 500 individuals annually. Services will include:
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Medication therapy reviews, management, and counseling
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Biometric screenings (BMI, blood pressure, lipid panels, A1c)
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Chronic disease screenings and management
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Nutrition education with weekly follow-up calls
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Seasonal vaccinations
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Hypertension and diabetes education, including self-monitoring tools and training
Participants will be assessed for social determinants of health. Those in need of additional resources will receive direct support or referrals to accessible community-based organizations, with follow-up to ensure continuity of care.
ACPHS Associate Professor and Director of the Collaboratory, Stacy Pettigrew PhD, and Professor and Chair of the Pharmacy school, Katie Cardone ’06, PharmD, are co-primary investigators of the award. Cardone specializes in nephrology pharmacy.
“The Community Foundation is honored to support the unique and essential collaboration between Trinity Alliance and ACPHS. Hundreds of underserved neighbors and community members will benefit from this targeted, evidence-based service and screening,” said Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region’s President and Chief Executive Officer, John Eberle. “Special thanks to the whole Collaboratory team for stepping up and doing this compassionate work in our community. Your efforts honor the legacy of Hortense and Louis Rubin and the Rubin Community Health Fund.”
This model of care has demonstrated positive results, as highlighted in the research article “Pharmacist-Provided Diabetes Education Management in a Diverse, Medically Underserved Population,” published in Spectrum.DiabetesJournals.org (2020).
ACPHS Collaboratory
The ACPHS Collaboratory, supported by grants and philanthropy, continues to drive impact through strategic and collaborative funding opportunities. In the past year, in addition to The Hortense and Louis Rubin Community Health Fund, Dr. Pettigrew has secured five competitive and other awards totaling $594,490 from the Albany County Department of Mental Health, Albany County ARPA, TD Bank Foundation, the Frederick McDonald Trust, the Picotte Family Foundation, and the Carl E. Touhey Foundation.
Dr. Pettigrew, who was appointed director of the Collaboratory in January 2024, was named ACPHS 2025 Researcher of the Year for her exceptional research productivity, innovative approach, and commitment to mentorship.
For more information about The Collaboratory’s services, visit http://fadcmk.lzxcjx.net/collaboratory and/or watch our video highlighting its mission.