Gulf Pine Catholic

4 Gulf Pine Catholic • January 24, 2025 St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy: A lifeline for South Mississippiʼs underserved residents By Terry Dickson DIOCESE OF BILOXI -- The St. Vincent dePaul (SVDP)Community Pharmacy has been a vital resource for residents across South Mississippi, providing free or low-cost prescription medications to those who may otherwise go without. With locations in Biloxi and Hattiesburg, the pharmacy continues to expand its services to meet the growing healthcare needs of underserved popu- lations within the Diocese of Biloxi. Since its inception in Biloxi in the late 1990s, the pharmacy has built a repu- tation for offering essential medications to individuals in need, particularly those in rural areas where access to affordable healthcare is limited. Sam Burke, Executive Director of the pharmacy, emphasized the organization’s commit- ment to increasing access and awareness, particular- ly in the Pine Belt region, where the Hattiesburg location opened in 2017. “We continue to try to make ourselves as acces- sible to the community as possible,” Burke said. “We want to make sure all parishes know we are here and that they understand how to use our ser- vices to help parishioners or anyone who comes to their door.” Expanding services and staffing needs At the heart of the SVDP pharmacy’s mission is its network of dedicated volunteers, who helped fill an impressive 30,000 prescriptions last year. Volunteers logged over 15,000 hours in support of the pharmacy’s work, but Burke notes the increasing need for licensed pharmacists to ensure the safe and accurate dispensing of medications. “We need licensed professionals to check medi- cations and prepare labels,” Burke said, acknowl- edging the importance of proper medical oversight in a growing operation. As part of its ongoing expansion, the pharmacy is striving to improve service in Hattiesburg. While the Hattiesburg location currently operates as a case-management pharmacy, where clients must schedule appointments ahead of time, Burke hopes to eventually offer walk-in services and weekly availability to ensure that individuals in urgent need of medication receive prompt attention. “We want to be able to take in patients straight from the emergency room or from walk-ins, espe- cially as we get more established,” Burke added. Similarly, the Biloxi location has adapted to bet- ter meet client needs. Operating on a two-day sched- ule, the pharmacy now prepares prescriptions ahead of time to reduce wait times for clients, improving over- all efficiency. A community effort in Hattiesburg The SVDP Community Pharmacy in Hattiesburg began as a collaborative effort between the parishes in Hattiesburg and the Edwards Street Fellowship Center, with the goal of addressing the urgent healthcare needs of the region’s uninsured and underinsured populations. What started with mailing medications from Biloxi to Hattiesburg residents has grown significantly. Burke recalls that they initially aimed to fill 50 prescrip- tions per group, but now the pharmacy fills around 250 prescriptions, under- scoring the high demand for services. Father Tommy Conway of St. Fabian Parish expressed his gratitude for the positive impact the pharmacy has had on local fam- ilies. “It’s been a significant difference in the lives of many,” he said, adding that volunteers often leave the pharmacy feeling fulfilled by their work. A key moment in the pharmacy’s history came in 2017, when a physical site was opened in Hattiesburg, thanks to the generous support of the Edwards Street Fellowship Center. Volunteers, led by pharmacist Robert Donnell, transformed a former storage space into a fully functional pharmacy. Donnell, who is Baptist, called it “a work of love,” noting the strong sense of cooperation between different faith commu- nities. Volunteers make a difference A key volunteer at the Hattiesburg pharmacy is Judie Pruett, a retired nurse practitioner. Pruett, who has been with the pharmacy since its early days, is deeply involved in ensuring that patients receive the right medications and that all prescriptions are prop- erly labeled. She also volunteers at the free clinic across the street, where many of the pharmacy’s clients receive medical care. SEE SVdP PHARMACY, PAGE 15 Volunteers are the heart and soul of the SVDP Community Pharmacy, which has locations in Biloxi and Hattiesburg. The Biloxi facility is located at 715-B Division Street and the Hattiesburg facility is located at 1904 Edwards Street. Photo/Terry Dickson Volunteer pharmacist Robert Donnell fills a prescription at the SVDP Community Pharmacy’s Hattiesburg location.