A ribbon cutting ceremony was held April 14 to celebrate the opening of the new pharmacy located at Loma Linda University Health – San Bernardino Campus. (photo credit: Briana Pastorino)
With the addition of a community pharmacy, Loma Linda University Health – San Bernardino Campus offers yet another health care service that blends clinical practice with academic training to serve community members both medically and economically.
The new pharmacy, located on the ground floor, was celebrated with a ribbon cutting April 14 and is now open to the community.
Unlike the vast majority of pharmacies, this one is operated by a pharmacy school: Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy. Operating its own pharmacy has been a dream at the school for many years.
Danielle Davis-Khoromana, PharmD, the visionary behind the new pharmacy, said it has taken perseverance to get through the journey. “Health care is challenging and pharmacy even more so in an underserved area, but we are not your typical pharmacy,” she said. “We focus on devotion to patient care, education of students and innovation of pharmacy practice.”
Rashid Mosavin, PhD, MBA, RPh, executive associate dean of the School of Pharmacy, said that pharmacies owned by a pharmacist often provide the best patient care. “Through our pharmacy at the San Bernardino Campus, we can train our future pharmacists in the art of community-oriented care.”
There are currently four people who make up the pharmacy team. In addition to Davis-Khoromana, who is the pharmacy supervisor as well as assistant professor at the School of Pharmacy, there are two technicians, Jeanette Gomez and Mandy Palma; and the clinical pharmacist, Rocco Massimiano, PharmD.
LLU Students will rotate through the San Bernardino pharmacy for clinical training, as well as students from San Manuel Gateway College once the pharmacy tech program starts in September.
According to the dean of the School of Pharmacy, Noreen Chan Tompkins, PharmD, the school is delighted to have a devoted pharmacy team to serve the Inland Empire community. “Being able to educate and service patients as well as train pharmacy and pharmacy technician students in this new beautiful space will be a wholesome experience for all."
Loma Linda University Health – San Bernardino Campus is located at 250 South G Street and can be reached at 909-771-2990. Pharmacy hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Friday.
Additional reporting by Heather Reifsnyder