In recognition of her efforts to improve vaccination rates among Type 2 diabetes patients, Maryam Deravi, Pharm.D., ’23, has been awarded the 2024 Impacting Immunization Implementation Through Quality Improvement Grant by the American Pharmacists Association, or APhA.
Deravi submitted the grant proposal while training as a pharmacy resident in the University of Florida College of Pharmacy’s PGY1 community-based residency program under the mentorship of Stacey Curtis, Pharm.D., a clinical associate professor and assistant dean for experiential education. Her community pharmacy practice site was Baya Pharmacy in Lake City, Florida.
Deravi’s continuous quality improvement, or CQI, intervention works with community pharmacies to make sure Type 2 diabetes patients stay up to date with their immunizations. Reviewing the records of 88 patients at Baya Pharmacy, she discovered that only five had received all the CDC-recommended vaccines. Outreach efforts targeted the remaining patients, with about one-third of them showing an interest in scheduling their vaccinations.
“The evaluation determined significant gaps in immunization coverage among patients with Type 2 diabetes,” Deravi said. “Community pharmacies have largely taken a passive approach toward immunizations, but our CQI project shifts to a proactive immunization strategy where systematic tracking of immunization records, better patient education, and regular follow-ups can close the gaps in vaccination coverage.”
Deravi noted that the project improved immunization services, as more patients were scheduled to receive their vaccines. Given the increasing rates of Type 2 diabetes, she emphasized that routine immunizations are essential in preventing complications from preventable diseases.
“As the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes continues to rise, the importance of comprehensive health care for individuals managing this chronic condition becomes significant,” Deravi said. “Beyond diabetes management, addressing other health issues, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and immunization status, is critical for the patient’s overall health and well-being. Immunization plays a considerable role in averting potentially severe complications from preventable diseases.”
Winning the APhA grant represents a significant achievement for Deravi personally and professionally. It provides validation and motivation for her to keep striving for excellence in pharmacy practice.
“It represents the recognition of the hard work and dedication that went into identifying gaps in the immunization process and implementing solutions that can lead to meaningful change in patients with Type 2 diabetes,” Deravi said. “This award is a testament to the importance of continuous quality improvement in independent pharmacy practice, especially in the realm of immunization, where pharmacists play a critical role in patient care and public health.” Deravi is among four community pharmacy residents selected by the APhA to receive the grant, which includes a $5,000 award and an invitation to present her CQI project at the 2025 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Nashville.