Our mission is to provide wellness screenings to people throughout Montana who may otherwise be unable to access such services.  Additionally, the program provides patient care experience for students in their last professional year in the study of pharmacy, physical therapy, nursing and other health care fields. The IPHARM team, comprised of the coordinating pharmacist and students from various disciplines, holds events to screen people for problems with cholesterol, bone density, blood pressure, diabetes, depression and  memory loss, as well as other conditions. After the testing is completed, an IPHARM team member counsels each individual on the results and discusses any recommendations.

History

In 2002, The School of Pharmacy established IPHARM.  This Program originated as a one-year, federally funded demonstration project to expand UM's existing campus-based Drug Information Service (DIS) and to create a mobile pharmaceutical care clinic in north central Montana.  IPHARM's mission was to improve the access for disadvantaged rural health practitioners to drug and health information and screening services.

In 2007, IPHARM became the clinical training initiative in geriatric health screening for the Montana Geriatric Education Center (MTGEC), a federally funded project. MTGEC's financial support has allowed IPHARM to continue to provide wellness testing for people throughout Montana.  

Types of screenings and counseling that IPHARM can provide:

• Bone Density
• Blood Pressure
• Cholesterol
• Hemoglobin A1c
• Balance Testing

Health care professionals, faculty, and students work together along with community members to provide IPHARM services at no cost to participants. Additionally, the program provides a valuable teaching tool for fourth year pharmacy students as well as nursing, physical therapy, and social work students.  This setting provides students with hands on training working directly with patients in real-life professional environments.

IPHARM has logged over 156,000 miles and ranged as far north as Yaak, as far east as Plentywood, as far west as Troy, as far south as Red Lodge, as well as many places in between such as Great Falls, Big Timber, Boulder, Lincoln, Glasgow, and Ennis.  Events have been hosted in a variety of settings including community health centers, senior centers, community pharmacies, health departments, and community health fairs.  As of April 2022, IPHARM has completed over 750 events and screened over 21,500 Montana residents.

This project is part of the Montana Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program which is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as part of an award totaling $3,750,000 and supports the program 100%. The contents are those of the program and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. HRSA: U1QHP28733, $3,750,000, July 1, 2019-June 30, 2024 -100% federally funded.

Schedule a Health Screening

To schedule a health screening event in your community, email us at IPHARM@umontana.edu or call 406-243-7791

Funding

U1QHP28733, $3,750,000, July 1, 2019-June 30, 2024-100% federally funded. This publication is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $3,750,000.  The contents are those of the program and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.