Kruse Endowment Grants Fund Medication Management Systems in Phoenix

The Center for Interprofessional Practice, Education and Research (CIPER) received the Kruse Family Endowment for Multidisciplinary Service and Kruse Endowment for Community Service Awards for a medication management interprofessional educative event.

Creighton University partners with nonprofit First Place, a leader in advocating for housing, education and legislation changes for the neurodivergent population, including those with autism and Down syndrome, transitioning from childhood into adulthood. A need was identified in their residents who have complex medication routines and how to transition them from dependent to independent in managing their own healthcare. Two current residents were identified as needing additional medication support beyond traditional pill organizers to be independent with medication management. 

Creighton faculty and staff, Carrie Bose, OTD, assistant professor of occupational therapy, Yousef Toma, PharmD, assistant professor of pharmacy, Chelsea Sandidge, program manager in CIPER, and Scott Barlow, University pharmacy technician, were involved in researching systems, finding an alternative and providing education.

Researchers found and purchased two MedaCube automatic pill dispensers that allow the residents to set timers and use an app to have their medications dispensed automatically, or alternatively notify a caregiver if they have missed a dose. Upon delivery, Creighton faculty helped set up and educate residents and caregivers on how to use the dispenser. In addition to the purchase of the MedaCubes, funds were also used for additional manual pill dispensers in a variety of sizes and daily schedule needs, adaptive kitchen tool items and Clifton Strengths assessments for First Place residents.

This allows the Phoenix campus to meet accreditation standards for all health science programs in addition to fostering our community partnerships to meet their needs.