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Background Vaccine-preventable diseases are a major public health issue. Underserved communities are at heightened risk in New York City, where influenza morbidity and mortality remain elevated. Pharmacists and student pharmacists can play important roles in these communities through vaccine-based initiatives. Objectives Enhance student experiences in encounters with underserved individuals; determine patient satisfaction with pharmacist-administered vaccines; assess for gaps in immunization care among the underserved. Practice description St. John’s University, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS) prioritizes public health outreach to underserved neighborhoods through various initiatives organized by its Urban Institute. The CPHS’s annual Pam Shea-Byrnes community outreach immunization initiative was developed to increase access to influenza vaccinations for the indigent population through the establishment of new community partnerships. Practice innovation The partnership between CPHS and community-based organizations resulted in influenza vaccines administered at no cost to beneficiaries, while offering students experiences in immunization initiatives and care for the underserved. Evaluation methods Participating students completed a pre- and postexperience survey. After vaccine administration, patients completed an immunization history survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in addition to a satisfaction survey. Results A total of 105 patients received the influenza vaccine. Of these, 53 (50.5%) patients completed both the CDC assessment and satisfaction surveys. Of the survey respondents, 81% agreed that the pharmacists and student pharmacists were friendly and professional. Most of the patients (92.5%) were satisfied with the service. Fourteen student pharmacists participated in the initiative and completed both pre-and postsurveys. Student pharmacists indicated in postsurveys a stronger personal responsibility for caring for those in need. They also agreed that there is a clear responsibility for pharmacists to personally care for those in need. Conclusion Student experiences during interactions with the underserved were enriched, and patients were satisfied with the pharmacist-run initiative. Further expansion of the initiative will be considered.

OBJECTIVES: This study determined the incidence of orofacial injuries in athletes attending seven neighboring Minnesota high schools who participated in varsity soccer, wrestling, and basketball during the 1996-97 academic year. METHODS: Incidence was determined through athletes' written surveys and athletic trainer records. RESULTS: Survey response rates ranged from 86.3 percent to 94.0 percent among schools for all sports. The incidence rate of at least one orofacial injury per athlete in a season was 27.6 percent (SD = 20.2) in soccer, 72.3 percent (SD = 9.3) in wrestling, and 55.4 percent (SD = 23.9) in basketball. Ten percent of athletes sustained dental injuries. Fixed orthodontic appliances posed a higher risk for sustaining an injury in all sports. The games-to-practices ratios for injuries were 6.8 (soccer), 1.2 (wrestling), and 1.8 (basketball). Half of the athletes believed mouthguards prevent injuries; however, only 6 percent of the athletes reported mouthguard use. Athletic trainers reported eight orofacial injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The substantial rate of orofacial injuries among high school athletes participating in soccer, wrestling, and basketball needs to be minimized. Dentists should ask their adolescent patients routinely about sports participation. Policies should be developed to require school officials to report orofacial injuries, to inform athletes of their risk for orofacial injuries, and to consider mandated mouthguard use for these athletes. Keywords: American football; Soccer; Wrestling; Basketball