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A pair of Morristown’s local pharmacies are excited to provide a new service for the Lakeway Area.

College Park Pharmacy and Howard’s Pharmacy now have a Community Health Worker at each location who will be available throughout the week to assist members of the community find the help they need.

At College Park Pharmacy, customers can meet with Certified Pharmacy Technician Regina Campbell. She has more than seven years of experience working as a CPhT and has a heart for serving the community. Angela Rosenbalm, CPhT at Howard’s Pharmacy, is a familiar face that has been part of the team for 24 years. She knows the patients well and sees a need for this program.

“I’ve wished there was a program, not just for people who need help, but for those who need help getting help,” Rosenbalm said. “Someone to hold your hand and show you everything available while offering the technology and expertise to assist the community. This is that program.”

As community health workers, these women will serve as liaisons between health/social services and the community.

To gain a CHW certification, both Regina and Angela completed a comprehensive 16-week training course. They spent hundreds of hours compiling a growing list of more than 45 contacts with Lakeway Area organizations.

“They are in a unique position, acting as the hub in a giant wheel,” Pharmacist and Co-Owner Jacob Cox said. “We are excited to provide some of the first Community Health Workers to the Hamblen County area. CHWs will help bridge the gap between those who need help and healthcare/social services.”

Community health workers serve people with a wide range of issues. Whether someone is struggling to get to their doctors’ appointments, needing food and security, without proper clothing, suffering from depression, or has other needs that can be met by a community or social service, the team is available to help them.

“Many patients feel more comfortable talking to us about their personal struggles,” Campbell said. “I am glad we now have the resources at hand to actually help them.” The team also accepts referrals from friends, medical professionals who work with the person, teachers that see a need, or others who see an opportunity to improve someone’s quality of life.”

“We engaged in this program to reduce social determinants of health,” said Pharmacist/Co-Owner Chad Huntsman. “Statistics show that people with greater needs have worse health outcomes. We are hoping that by providing this service, it will help some of the people struggling in our community find the resources they need and in turn have a positive impact on their overall health. Angie and Regina are serving in this capacity because they care and truly love the Morristown community and have giving hearts.”

If you know someone in Morristown who needs help and doesn’t know where to start to find the right community or social resources, they are encouraged to reach out to the new community health workers. These women specialize in the resources available to the Morristown community.

College Park Pharmacy is located at 2106 East Andrew Johnson Highway, call 423-586-0721. Howard’s Pharmacy is at 3336 West Andrew Johnson Highway, phone 423-581-8436.