Department Head
Sterling Professor
Unit: Health Outcomes Research and Policy
Auburn University
Harrison College of Pharmacy
4306g Walker Building
Auburn, AL 36849
Email: westrsc@auburn.edu
Phone: 334-844-8314
Fax: 334-844-8307
The goal of my research program is to improve the quality of health care and patient health outcomes through promoting the uptake of evidence-base innovations into practice. After completing a BS in pharmacy, I pursued a Master’s Degree in Industrial Technology which focused on using quality assurance &aml; improvement principles to improve organizational operations. My PhD program further provided a strong foundation on organizational theories and how they can be applied to organization’s decision making, especially in health care organizations. The goal of my research program is to optimize organizational performance through innovation adoption.
Using the implementation science principles, I have studied the adoption, implementation and evaluation of various types of healthcare innovations. While much of my research experience is focusing on the adoption of immunization services in community pharmacies, concepts related to adoption and implementation of innovations are transferrable and applicable to other organizations and other innovations including biometric screening, naloxone dispensing, Immunization Information Systems, and medication therapy management services.
In the area of pharmacy-based immunization services, my work has spanned from adoption to sustainability to abandonment of immunization services. Currently, I partner with the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) through the contract from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to enhance the implementation of immunization standards among community pharmacies. I also continue working with an industrial partner to advance pharmacists’ role in immunization services.
Another area of research is to increase access to care among Medicare beneficiaries with limited income. Since 2013, I have partnered with Alabama's State Health Insurance Assistance Program to implement a Medicare outreach program by offering student-facilitated enrollment events for Medicare beneficiaries. Over 500 students have participated in this program over the years. Further, through funding from Alabama Department of Senior Services, I am leading a program to increase the number of Medicare beneficiaries who enroll in low-income subsidy programs by creating a referral network between community pharmacies and state-wide Aging and Disability Resource Centers.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NH23IP922573-01-00
Investigator: Westrick SC (PI)
Date: October 2018 – September 2023
Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse, R34DA046598
Investigator: Westrick (co-I); Carpenter D (PI)
Date: July 2019 – June 2021
Source: University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy
Investigator: Westrick (co-I); Carpenter D (PI)
Date: June 2019 – May 2021
Source: Alabama Department of Senior Services
Investigator: Westrick SC (PI)
Date: October 2015 – Present
alpharmacycares.org
Source: Alabama Department of Senior Services
Investigator: Westrick SC (PI), Hohmann (co-PI)
Date: April 2014 – Present
www.alabamamedicarehelp.org
Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 1R36HS026669-01A1
Investigator: Hohmann (PI), Westrick (Advisor))
Date: July 2019 – June 2020
Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, R36HS026093-01A1
Investigator: Hastings (PI), Westrick (Advisor))
Date: September 2018 – September 2019
See Westrick’s full list of publications online.
PYPD 9320 Longitudinal Learning Experience I
PYPD 9340 Longitudinal Learning Experience III
PYPD 9360 Longitudinal Learning Experience V
PYPD 9370 Longitudinal Learning Experience VI
PYPC 7820 Research Methods & Design in Health Sciences I
PYPC 7510: Health Services Delivery and Evaluation
PYPC 7570: Social, Behavioral and Administrative Aspects of Pharmacy Practice
Yi Zhao. PhD Program. 2018 - Present
Tessa Hastings. PhD Program. Graduated 2019
Lindsey Hohmann. PhD Program. Graduated 2019
Benjamin Teeter. PhD Program. Graduated 2015
Saranrat Wittayanukorn. MS Program. Graduated 2012
Michelle Breland. PhD Program. Graduated 2011
Tinia Harris. Class of 2021. 2019 – Present
Kavon Diggs. Class of 2023. 2019 – Present
Kavon Diggs (pre-pharmacy). 2018-2019.
Stuart McFarland (engineering). Graduated 2017.