November 2023
New behavioral health pharmacy to help serve the community through hands-on care
A unique, full-service pharmacy dedicated to serving the needs of those in the behavioral health and substance use disorder communities, and others with complex, chronic health conditions held its grand opening within Open Sky Community Services at 288 Grove Street in Worcester this month.
The new Genoa Healthcare pharmacy will help individuals receiving care from Open Sky Community Services stay on their medications at a rate of more than 90%, compared to 50% with a traditional retail pharmacy through specialized offerings, including pre-filled pill organizers, proactive outreach calls, help with prior authorizations and other hands-on pharmacy care. It also reduces emergency room visits and hospitalizations, helping to reduce the total cost of care, according to a study published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Open Sky serves over 5,000 individuals and families in central Massachusetts with intellectual and developmental disabilities, behavioral health diagnoses and those experiencing other complex challenges like homelessness. The location at 288 Grove Street houses many of the agency's community support programs as well as behavioral health, care coordination and Autism services among others.
"Open Sky is excited to partner with Genoa to ensure the individuals we serve, as well as our staff, have easy access to medication and quality care in one place. This partnership will complement the services we provide at Open Sky and further our goal of promoting whole-person health." said Anne DeLomba, senior vice president of integrated behavioral health services.
Pictured left to right: Kevin Oconnell, Genoa vice president of sales; Angelo Deguglielmo, Genoa site manager; Anne DeLomba, Open Sky senior vice president of integrated behavioral health services; Megan Garrity, Genoa director of operations for Massachusetts, Suzanne Tamer, Genoa regional vice president of operations.
“We are looking forward to providing hands-on, specialized pharmacy care for the community at Open Sky and bringing our services to the Worcester area,” said Megan Garrity, Genoa director of operations for Massachusetts.