Amy K Kennedy

Interests

Teaching

Dr. Kennedy’s current teaching interests include preventive health, the impact of mental health on medical outcomes, outpatient pain treatment, pharmacy professionalism, and the pharmacist’s role in caring for the underserved.

Research

Dr. Kennedy's current research interests include preventative health including immunizations, pharmacists role in caring for the underserved, and the outpatient treatment of pain.

Courses

Scholarly Contributions

Chapters

• Kennedy, A. K. (2019). Diabetes and Pain. In Pharmacy Principles and Practice Study Guide 5th edition. McGraw Hill.
• Kennedy, A. K. (2017). Psoriasis. In Pharmacy Principles and Practice 5th edition. McGraw Hill.
• Kennedy, A. K. (2016). Diabetes and Pain. In Pharmacy Principles and Practice Study Guide 4th edition. McGraw Hill.
• Kennedy, A. K. (2013). Diabetes and Pain. In Pharmacy Principles and Practice Study Guide 3rd edition. McGraw Hill.
• Goldstone, L. W., Kennedy, A. K., Clark, J. S., & Phan, H. (2012). Developing and evaluating clinical pharmacy services. In Pharmacy Management, Leadership, Marketing, and Finance, 2nd ed.(pp 199-215). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Journals/Publications

• Davis, B., Archambault, C., Davis, K., Oagley, C., Schneider, J., Kennedy, A., & Wilensky, D. (2019). A patient-centered approach to tapering opioids. The Journal of family practice, 68(10), 548-556.
  More info

  Simply treating opioid addiction isn't enough. Instead, reposition your patient's singular circumstances and needs at the center of efforts to end use of these agents.
• Meyerson, B. E., Agley, J. D., Jayawardene, W., Eldridge, L. A., Arora, P., Smith, C., Vadiei, N., Kennedy, A. K., & Moehling, T. (2019). Feasibility of a pharmacy-based harm reduction intervention to reduce opioid overdose, HIV and hepatitis C – Indiana, 2019. Res Soc Admin Pharm, 13, 644-652. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.08.026
  More info

  Background: Evidence-based harm reduction intervention components which might benefit pharmacy patients have not been integrated and studied.Objective: To investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a proposed pharmacy-based harm reduction intervention to reduce opioid overdose, HIV and hepatitis C called PharmNet.Methods: Indiana managing pharmacists were surveyed in 2018 to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an intervention for opioid misuse screening, brief intervention, syringe and naloxone dispensing, and referrals provision. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research informed the survey development and analysis.Results: The sample included 303 (30.8%) pharmacists; 215 (70.9%) provided detailed written comments. Intervention Characteristics: 83.3% believed PharmNet would benefit patients, and that staff could deliver the intervention with adequate training (70.0%). Inner Setting: While 77.2% believed their pharmacy culture supported practice change, 57.5% of chain pharmacists believed their pharmacies would not have time for PharmNet. Outer Setting: 73.3% believed additional addiction and overdose screening is needed in their community, and pharmacies should offer new services to help reduce opioid overdose and addiction among their patients (79.5%). A vast majority (97.7%) were asked by patients in the past 2 years about syringe related issues;67.7% were asked about syringes for non-prescription injection drug use. Individuals Involved: While 62.4% believed PharmNet was within pharmacy scope of practice and 90.1% were comfortable consulting about syringe use, pharmacists reported that they had limited control over the implementation environment. Process: 38.0% of pharmacists indicated interest in advising the development of PharmNet.Conclusions: An implementation trial of a modified version of PharmNet is likely feasible; yet will be challenged by structural pressures particularly in chain pharmacies. Successful implementation will involve the development of resources and policy components to manage outer and inner setting characteristics and align the intervention to the implementation environment.
• Meyerson, B. E., Lawrence, C. E., Cope, S. D., Levin, S., Thomas, C., Eldridge, L. A., Coles, H. B., Vadiei, N., & Kennedy, A. K. (2019). I could take the judgment if you could just provide the service: non-prescription syringe purchase experience in Arizona pharmacies.. BMC Harm Reduction, 16(57), 1-9.
• Kennedy, A. K. (2018). APhA 2016 House of Delegates Action: Academies Report: putting policy into practice. American Pharmacists Association journal.
• Kennedy, A. K., Leal, S., & Alhossan, A. (2016). Outcomes of annual wellness visits provided by pharmacists in an accountable care organization associated with a federally qualified health center. Am J Health Syst Pharm, 73(4), 225-228.
• Kennedy, A. K., & Leal, S. (2015). Quality Initiatives: Pharmacists at the forefront. Pharmacy Times.
• Butler, P., Simonson, C., Goldie, C., Kennedy, A. K., & Goldstone, L. W. (2013). Baseline metabolic monitoring of atypical antipsychotics in an inpatient setting. Mental Health Clinician, 3(3), 5.
• Kennedy, A. K. (2013). Improving adherence and chronic disease outcomes in a patient-centered medical home. NASPA annual report.
• Kennedy, A. K., & Leal, S. (2013). Alignment of Clinical Pharmacy Services with Health Reform: Lessons Learned from HRSA and CMS. California Pharmacist, lx(4), 15-19.
• McBane, S. E., Corelli, R. L., Albano, C. B., Conry, J. M., A., M., Kennedy, A. K., Jenkins, A. T., & Hudmon, K. S. (2013). The role of academic pharmacy in tobacco cessation and control. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 77(5).
  More info

  PMID: 23788804;Abstract: Despite decades of public health initiatives, tobacco use remains the leading known preventable cause of death in the United States. Clinicians have a proven, positive effect on patients' ability to quit, and pharmacists are strategically positioned to assist patients with quitting. The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy recognizes health promotion and disease prevention as a key educational outcome; as such, tobacco cessation education should be a required component of pharmacy curricula to ensure that all pharmacy graduates possess the requisite evidence-based knowledge and skills to intervene with patients who use tobacco. Faculty members teaching tobacco cessation-related content must be knowledgeable and proficient in providing comprehensive cessation counseling, and all preceptors and practicing pharmacists providing direct patient care should screen for tobacco use and provide at least minimal counseling as a routine component of care. Pharmacy organizations should establish policies and resolutions addressing the profession's role in tobacco cessation and control, and the profession should work together to eliminate tobacco sales in all practice settings where pharmacy services are rendered.
• Moczygemba, L. R., Kennedy, A. K., Marks, S. A., Goode, J. R., & Matzke, G. R. (2013). A qualitative analysis of perceptions and barriers to therapeutic lifestyle changes among homeless hypertensive patients. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 9(4), 467-481.
  More info

  PMID: 22835705;PMCID: PMC3519971;Abstract: Background: Homeless individuals have higher rates of hypertension when compared to the general population. Therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLCs) have the potential to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with hypertension, yet TLCs can be difficult for homeless persons to implement because of competing priorities. Objectives: To identify: (1) Patients' knowledge and perceptions of hypertension and TLCs and (2) Barriers to implementation of TLCs. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted with patients from an urban health care for the homeless center. Patients ≥ 18 years old with a diagnosis of hypertension were eligible. Three focus groups were conducted at which time saturation was deemed to have been reached. Focus group sessions were audio recorded and transcribed for data analysis. A systematic, inductive analysis was conducted to identify emerging themes. Results: A total of 14 individuals participated in one of the 3 focus groups. Most were female (n. = 8) and African-American (n. = 13). Most participants were housed in a shelter (n. = 8). Others were staying with family or friends (n. = 3), living on the street (n. = 2), or had transitioned to housing (n. = 1). Participants had a mixed understanding of hypertension and how TLCs impacted hypertension. They were most familiar with dietary and smoking recommendations and less familiar with exercise, alcohol, and caffeine TLCs. Participants viewed TLCs as being restrictive, particularly with regard to diet. Family and friends were viewed as helpful in encouraging some lifestyle changes such as healthy eating, but less helpful in having a positive influence on quitting smoking. Participants indicated that they often have difficulty implementing lifestyle changes because of limited meal choices, poor access to exercise equipment, and being uninformed about recommendations. Conclusions: Despite the benefits of TLCs, homeless individuals experience unique challenges to implementing TLCs. Future research should focus on developing and testing interventions that facilitate TLCs among homeless persons. The findings from this study should assist health care practitioners © 2013 Elsevier Inc.
• Hume, A. L., Kirwin, J., Bieber, H. L., Couchenour, R. L., Hall, D. L., Kennedy, A. K., M., N., Burkhardt, C. D., Schilli, K., Seaton, T., Trujillo, J., & Wiggins, B. (2012). Improving care transitions: Current practice and future opportunities for pharmacists. Pharmacotherapy, 32(11), e326-e337.
  More info

  PMID: 23108810;Abstract: During the past decade, patient safety issues during care transitions have gained greater attention at both the local and national level. Readmission rates to U.S. hospitals are high, often because of poor care transitions. Serious adverse drug events (ADEs) caused by an incomplete understanding of changes in complex drug regimens can be an important factor contributing to readmission rates. This paper describes the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists in ensuring optimal outcomes from drug therapy during care transitions. Barriers to effective care transitions, including inadequate communication, poor care coordination, and the lack of one clinician ultimately responsible for these transitions, are discussed. This paper also identifies specific patient populations at high risk of ADEs during care transitions. Several national initiatives and newer care transition models are discussed, including multi- and interdisciplinary programs with pharmacists as key members. Among their potential roles, pharmacists should participate on medical rounds where available, perform medication reconciliation and admission drug histories, apply their knowledge of drug therapy to anticipate and resolve problems during transitions, communicate changes in drug regimens between providers and care settings, assess the appropriateness and patient understanding of drug regimens, promote adherence, and assess health literacy. In addition, this paper identifies barriers and ongoing challenges limiting greater involvement of pharmacists from different practice settings during care transitions. Professional degree programs and residency training programs should increase their emphasis on pharmacists' roles, especially as part of interdisciplinary teams, in improving patient safety during care transitions in diverse practice settings. This paper also recommends that Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) standards include specific language regarding the exposure of students to issues regarding care transitions and that students have several opportunities to practice the skills needed for effective care transitions. Moreover, reimbursement mechanisms that permit greater pharmacist involvement in providing medication assistance to patients going through care transitions should be explored. Although health information technology offers the potential for safer care transitions, pharmacists' use of information technology must be integrated into the national initiatives for pharmacists to be effectively involved in care transitions. This paper concludes with a discussion about the importance of recognizing and addressing health literacy issues to promote patient empowerment during and after care transitions.
• Kennedy, A. K. (2012). Using Professionalism to get the most out of your experiential rotations.. Student Pharmacist.
• Moczygemba, L. R., B., S., Kennedy, A. K., Osborn, R. D., Alexander, A. J., Matzke, G. R., & Goode, J. R. (2012). Medication reconciliation campaign in a clinic for homeless patients. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 69(7), 558+560-562.
  More info

  PMID: 22441784;
• Kennedy, A. K. (2011). Is a residency the right choice for you?. Student Pharmacist.
• Moczygemba, L. R., Goode, J. R., B., S., Osborn, R. D., Alexander, A. J., Kennedy, A. K., Stevens, L. P., & Matzke, G. R. (2011). Integration of collaborative medication therapy management in a safety net patient-centered medical home. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, 51(2), 167-172.
  More info

  PMID: 21382806;PMCID: PMC3280342;Abstract: Objective: To describe the integration of collaborative medication therapy management (CMTM) into a safety net patient-centered medical home (PCMH). Setting: Federally qualified Health Care for the Homeless clinic in Richmond, VA, from October 2008 to June 2010. Practice description: A CMTM model was developed by pharmacists, physicians, nurse practitioners, and social workers and integrated with a PCMH. CMTM, as delivered, consisted of (1) medication assessment, (2) development of care plan, and (3) follow-up. Practice innovation: CMTM is integrated with the medical and mental health clinics of PCMH in a safety net setting that serves homeless individuals. Main outcome measures: Number of patients having a CMTM encounter, number and type of medication-related problems identified for a subset of patients in the mental health and medical clinics, pharmacist recommendations, and acceptance rate of pharmacist recommendations. Results: Since October 2008, 695 patients have had a CMTM encounter. An analysis of 209 patients in the mental health clinic indicated that 425 medication-related problems were identified (2.0/patient). Pharmacists made 452 recommendations to resolve problems, and 384 (85%) pharmacist recommendations were accepted by providers and/or patients. For 40 patients in the medical clinic, 205 medication-related problems were identified (5.1/patient). Pharmacists made 217 recommendations to resolve the problems, and 194 (89%) recommendations were accepted. Conclusion: Integrating CMTM with a safety net PCMH was a valuable patient-centered strategy for addressing medication-related problems among homeless individuals. The high acceptance rate of pharmacist recommendations demonstrates the successful integration of pharmacist services.
• Kennedy, A. K., & Gatewood, S. B. (2010). Medication reconciliation: An important piece of the medication puzzle. Consultant Pharmacist, 25(12), 829-833.
  More info

  PMID: 21172763;Abstract: Medication errors continue to cause significant morbidity and mortality. This, in turn, costs the health care system millions of dollars each year in preventable costs. Medication reconciliation, an important piece of medication therapy management (MTM), is vital to reducing medication errors. By verifying, clarifying, and reconciling medications at each point of care, pharmacists can play a vital role in improving health care and lowering costs. This case study describes an MTM session with a 66-year-old Caucasian female who is referred by the nurse practitioner in the clinic for pharmacist services. The patient has a history of portal hypertension, alcoholic liver damage, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. After obtaining a detailed history, the pharmacist identified significant medication-related problems including polypharmacy, nonadherence, drug-alcohol interactions, and inappropriate use of medication. After discussions with the patient and her nurse practitioner, a medication plan was created for the patient to follow. © 2010 American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, Inc. All rights reserved.

Presentations

• Pacheco, C. L., Hall-Lipsy, E. A., Weinstein, J., Michaels, C. L., Carlisle, H. L., & Kennedy, A. K. (2016, July). Practice Based Research and Inter-professional Clinical Education Activities to Improve Chronic Pain Management in Primary Care. 43rd Annual Rural Health Conference & 11th Annual Performance Improvement Summit. Flagstaff, Arizona: Arizona Center for Rural Health.
  More info

  Lightening Round Poster Presentation

Poster Presentations

• Chiles, G., Hertzig, H., Johnson-Bacon, M., Shahnooshi, D., Holloway, D., Klein, A., & Kennedy, A. K. (2018, December). Prescribing habits of citalopram at El Rio Health for patients older than 60 years of age. ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. Anaheim, CA: ASHP.
• Kennedy, A. K. (2018, March). A Brief Educational Intervention Aims to Improve Pneumococcal Vaccine Practices in a Federally Qualified Health Center. American Pharmacists Association Annual meeting. Nashville, TN: ApHA.
• Kennedy, A. K. (2018, March). Effect of Pharmacist Intervention on Herpes Zoster Vaccination rates in a Federally Qualified Health Center. American Pharmacists Association Annual meeting. Nashville, TN: ApHA.
• Michaels, C., Carlisle, H. L., Kennedy, A. K., Weinstein, B. M., Hall-Lipsy, E. A., & Pacheco, C. L. (2018, April). Practice-Based Research to Improve Chronic Pain Management in Primary Care. Annual Interprofessional Rural Health Professions Conference. Tucson, AZ: AHEC.
• Kennedy, A. K. (2017, March). Impact of a pharmacist's involvement in a transdisciplinary hospital discharge clinic at a Federally Qualified Health Center. American Pharmacists Association Annual meeting. Orlando, FL: ApHA.
• Kennedy, A. K. (2017, March). The influence of depression management on a1c control in patients with diabetes in a Federally Qualified Health Center. American Pharmacists Association Annual meeting. Orlando, FL: ApHA.
• Kennedy, A. K., Michaels, C., Carlisle, H. L., Weinstein, J., Hall-Lipsy, E. A., & Pacheco, C. L. (2017, April). Practice-Based Research to Improve Chronic Pain Management in Primary Care. Arizona Annual Interprofessional Rural Health Conference. Flagstaff, AZ: AzAHEC.
• Hall-Lipsy, E. A., & Kennedy, A. K. (2016, July). Using reflective writing as a way to teach and assess health disparities and self awareness competencies: A rubric approach. AACP Annual Meeting. Anaheim, CA: American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.
• Kennedy, A. K. (2016, March). Evaluation of continued efficacy in type 2 diabetes patients receiving sulfonylurea therapy. American Pharmacists Association Annual meeting. Baltimore, MD: ApHA.
• Kennedy, A. K. (2016, March). Retrospective chart review of the safety and efficacy of switching from insulin glargine to insulin detemir in patients with Type 2 diabetes. American Pharmacists Association Annual meeting. Baltimore, MD: ApHA.
• Pacheco, C. L., Hall-Lipsy, E. A., Weinstein, J., Michaels, C. L., Carlisle, H. L., & Kennedy, A. K. (2016, April). Practice Based Research to Improve Chronic Pain Management in Primary Care. 4th Annual Interprofessional Rural Health Professions Conference. Tucson, Arizona: Arizona Area Health Education Centers.
• Cylwik, D., & Kennedy, A. K. (2015, March). Assessment of Pain Treatment Practices within a Federally Qualified Health Center. APhA Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA: APhA.
• Hall-Lipsy, E. A., Hall-Lipsy, E. A., Kennedy, A. K., & Kennedy, A. K. (2015, July 11- 15). An interprofessional active learning approach to cultural competency. American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Annual Meeting. National Harbor, MD: American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.
• Dereen, T., Kent, T., Sanzenbacher, R., Goldstone, L. W., & Kennedy, A. K. (2014, April). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients treated with second generation antipsychotics in an outpatient health clinic. 2014 College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists Annual Meeting. Phoenix, Arizona.
• Simonson, C., Butler, P., Goldie, C., Kennedy, A. K., & Goldstone, L. W. (2014, April). Inpatient pharmacist intervention helps sustain improved rates of baseline metabolic monitoring for patients initiated on atypical antipsychotics. 2014 College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists Annual Meeting. Phoenix, Arizona.
• Deeren, T., Sanzenbacher, R., Kent, T., & Kennedy, A. K. (2013, December). Rate of monitoring for metabolic parameters in patients who use atypical antipsychotics. ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. Orlando,Florida: ASHP.
• O'Brien, D., Santa-Cruz, A., & Kennedy, A. K. (2013, December). Rate of Tdap vaccination in a federally qualified health center after a pharmacist intervention. ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. Orlando, Florida: ASHP.
• Asllani, V., Barkow, B., Nguyen, A., Phung, L., & Kennedy, A. K. (2012, December). Improving MTM utilization at El Rio Southeast clinic. ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. Las Vegas, NV: ASHP.
• Ellis, K., Pavone, S., & Kennedy, A. K. (2012, December). Incidence of and frequency of monitoring for hyponatremia associated with SSRI: a retrospective chart review at one institution.. ASHP Midyear clinical meeting. Las Vegas, NV: ASHP.
• Kutbi, S., Leal, S., & Kennedy, A. K. (2012, October). Clinical Pharmacy Consult Service through Information Technology to improve physician access and prescriber satisfaction in a community health center. FIP centennialFIP.
• Feilen, S., Seminova, K., & Kennedy, A. K. (2011, December). Assessment of adherence to chronic medication therapies in an underserved clinic. ASHP midyear clinical meeting. New Orleans, LA: ASHP.