With health care locations across Northwest Indiana, Porter-Starke Services is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in communities through prevention, treatment, education, and research. Their full continuum of care serves adults, families, adolescents, and children with mental health or substance abuse issues. All clients are placed on individual plans of care tailored to specific needs, but Porter-Starke takes care a step further by having a full pharmacy on-site. Mike Weaver, Vice President of Medical Services, has worked for Porter-Starke Services for 20 years, and seen the benefits of their on-site pharmacy since its inception 11 years ago.
“Since March 2009, Genoa Pharmacy has offered our clients the same services as a traditional retail pharmacy,” Weaver said. “Plus, they offer specialized daily dose packs, no cost shipping, monthly billing, provide refill reminder calls, synchronize refills, and competitive pricing with our hardship program and an Optum Perks discount card.”
As Porter-Starke’s on-site pharmacy, Genoa has direct access to the medical staff and works closely with them to ensure clients get their medications.
“Genoa's medication adherence rate is 96 percent, which is significantly greater than other community pharmacies, and lowers behavioral health-related hospitalizations and ER visits,” Weaver explained. “Most importantly, Genoa Pharmacy is located in three of our outpatient locations in Valparaiso, Portage, and Gary, so our clients can leave with their medication in hand.”
The on-site pharmacy offers fast and friendly services, mailing of medications, and one-stop shopping. Pharmacy techs can package medications to assist with medication compliance. Trish Michaels, Certified Pharmacy Technician, has worked at Genoa Pharmacy since 2012 and has worked with Porter-Starke Services since December 2019.
“We can have the medications ready for patients as soon as they have finished their doctor visit. As such, the patient is able to go straight home afterwards,” Michaels said. “As the Pharmacy Tech for the patients, I am here to help and am genuinely excited about being here.”
At this time, you must be affiliated with Porter-Starke/Marram Health Center, either as a client or staff, to utilize Genoa Pharmacy.
“If this applies to you, please consider using Genoa Pharmacy for all your medication needs,” Weaver said.
To learn more about Porter-Starke and all it offers, visit https://www.porterstarke.org/