Saratoga Hospital Pharmacy Becomes First in Nation to Earn Age-Friendly Pharmacy Recognition
Saratoga Hospital has become the first hospital pharmacy in the nation to earn Age-Friendly Pharmacy Recognition from the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP), a national designation recognizing excellence in medication management and care for older adults.
The recognition acknowledges pharmacies that demonstrate a commitment to delivering age-friendly care through evidence-based practices that improve medication safety and support the unique needs of older adults.
To earn the designation, Saratoga Hospital Pharmacy demonstrated excellence across the 4Ms Framework: What Matters, Medication, Mentation and Mobility, while meeting rigorous standards for leadership, education and quality improvement. In addition, at least 50% of the department’s pharmacists earned individual Age-Friendly Pharmacist recognition by completing specialized education and training.
“This recognition reflects Saratoga Hospital’s ongoing commitment to providing exceptional, patient-centered care for older adults,” said Jill VanKuren, President and CEO of Saratoga Hospital. “Being the first hospital pharmacy in New York to earn this designation speaks to the dedication, innovation and expertise of our Pharmacy team. Their work helps ensure our patients receive the safest, highest-quality care at every stage of life.”
The Age-Friendly Pharmacy Recognition program, developed by ASCP in partnership with the John A. Hartford Foundation and the Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging, recognizes pharmacies that integrate age-friendly principles into medication management and clinical practice.
“This achievement is the result of an incredible team effort,” said Mike Vanderwerken, RPh, Director of Pharmacy at Saratoga Hospital. “I’m especially grateful to our Clinical Coordinator, Jenna Langdon, whose leadership was instrumental in guiding this initiative. Our pharmacists embraced additional education and training while incorporating age-friendly principles into our daily practice, ensuring older adults receive the safest and most effective medication management possible.”
The Age-Friendly Pharmacy model is built on the nationally recognized 4Ms Framework, which helps healthcare organizations align care with what matters most to older adults while optimizing medications, supporting cognitive health and preserving mobility. By integrating these principles into everyday practice, Saratoga Hospital Pharmacy is helping improve outcomes and enhance the patient experience for older adults across the organization.
This recognition is the latest example of Saratoga Hospital’s commitment to innovation, quality and providing exceptional care for the communities it serves.