Genoa Healthcare celebrated an exciting milestone – the grand opening of its 700th on-site pharmacy – at the Advocates mental health center in Framingham. The debut was marked with a ribbon cutting attended by Diane Gould, CEO of Advocates, Todd Gustin, CEO of Genoa Healthcare, Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka and other leaders from Genoa and Advocates.
Genoa provides pharmacy services to individuals in the same facility they receive their care, making it easier to obtain needed medications and leading to improved health outcomes. The pharmacy model has proven to help patients stay on their medications at a rate of more than 90%, compared to 50% with a traditional approach, and reduces emergency room visits by 18% and hospitalizations by 40%.
“Consumers living with mental and behavioral health conditions face challenges that impact their daily routines and overall quality of life,” said Gustin. “The opening of our new pharmacy, in partnership with Advocates, is an opportunity to help bridge the gap in care and make a difference in health care outcomes and quality of life for those who need it most.”
This new location is Genoa’s second pharmacy in partnership with Advocates, which serves over 30,000 individuals and families in Massachusetts with serious and persistent mental illness and substance use disorders, and 17th in Massachusetts.
“The official opening of this new pharmacy location marks an expansion of our longtime, proven partnership with Genoa Healthcare, one that has made a positive impact on the way our patients safely, efficiently and affordably manage their care,” said Gould. “We’re proud to be the site of Genoa’s 700th location, and we are looking forward to partnering with their team as we continue to work to improve health outcomes for individuals and families in the Framingham area and beyond.”
At the grand opening, Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka, a leader in mental health care reform, emphasized the statewide need to expand access to high-quality behavioral and mental health services.
“We know how important access to behavioral health care is, both to addressing the mental health crisis worsened during the pandemic and to continue improving the health and well-being of our Commonwealth residents,” said Spilka. “The work of Genoa and Advocates on behalf of this population is critical, and I applaud their passion and commitment to serving our community.”
With more than 20 years of experience, Genoa serves over one million people annually across 47 states and the District of Columbia. While Genoa has a nationwide presence, its pharmacies offer personalized services, can fill all medications and has an atmosphere of a neighborhood pharmacy.
