With National Pharmacist Day this month, Ascension recognizes the more than 3,000 mission-driven pharmacy professionals in our health system who work around the clock to provide medications to our diverse patient population. Working together with our providers and our community, we're leading the way in patient trust and quality care, including when it comes to outpatient medication needs.

Not only do pharmacists dispense medications and provide patient education, but they also have an important role to help to ensure the rational and cost-effective use of prescription medication for patients. Increasing medication costs negatively impact patient care, and our pharmacists work diligently to make sure all patients receive proper care and affordable medications. Our pharmacy system, Ascension Rx, provides patients with a personalized approach to confidentially and safely meet their needs, including home delivery and outpatient specialty pharmacy medications to better reach our most vulnerable populations.

As part of our mission-driven commitment to serving underserved communities, Ascension is also a proud partner of Dispensary of Hope, a charitable medication distributor providing medications free of charge to low-income, uninsured patients. Over the previous year, Dispensary of Hope filled 1.2 million prescriptions for 164,000 qualified patients, which translates to more than 3,000 free prescriptions each day. Dispensary of Hope maintains quality and operational excellence through its national network of 245 dispensing sites spanning 38 states.

Doctors prescribe medications to keep patients alive, to improve their health, and improve their quality of life; pharmacists provide access and help educate patients to understand medication use for optimal health. When patients do not have reliable and consistent access to prescription medications, it becomes more likely that patients will not be able to maintain their health and this can not only affect their quality of life and livelihood, it can lead to costly care from urgent care, an emergency department, or a hospitalization. Dispensary of Hope found a 50 percent reduction in hospital stays and 35 percent reduction in emergency department visits, with reductions in costs attributed partly to Dispensary of Hope interventions.

In fall of last year, Dispensary of Hope was awarded the American Pharmacists Association's (APhA) Foundation Pinnacle Award for their efforts to assist patients and caregivers in achieving better outcomes from their medication. This program directly serves some of our country's most vulnerable populations and breaks down some of the most challenging barriers to care, both saving and transforming lives.

Together with our pharmacy professionals, Ascension Rx, and Dispensary of Hope, we're working to ensure individuals and families experiencing serious financial challenges or lacking access to affordable health care still receive the quality care they deserve.