ROYAL OAK, Mich. – Amanda Zawaideh, PharmD. of DirectRx specialty pharmacy, has been appointed to the board of directors for Steppin’ Out, a leading HIV/AIDS awareness organization.
Steppin Out’s mission is to promote public awareness through events and activities that endeavor to guarantee people living with HIV/AIDS are treated with dignity and respect. Its next major event is the annual AIDS Walk Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 20, in Royal Oak.
“As a pharmacist specializing in HIV disease management, I have an enormous amount of respect for the work that Steppin’ Out does in our community,” said Zawaideh, a Birmingham resident. “I am proud to join the board and to help spread awareness of HIV treatment options and the importance of drug adherence with this disease. Furthermore, I am committed to furthering HIV/AIDS education, collaborating with patients to provide the knowledge and skills needed to modify behavior and successfully self-manage the disease and its related conditions.”
Dr. Zawaideh is active in the metro Detroit HIV/AIDS community, hosting regular “Motivational Mondays” support group meetings to discuss medical issues associated with the disease.
She has also developed an innovative solution designed to improve drug adherence in HIV patients. The Rx EasyPak takes an individual’s complex combination of medication and creates prepackaged, tear-off packets labeled in morning, afternoon, and evening doses for the entire month.
Since its inception in 1991, Steppin’ Out has become the largest grass roots HIV/AIDS fundraising organization in Michigan and has granted more than $2.8 million to more than 20 different agencies and helped thousands of individuals in pursuit of its mission.
DirectRx, an independent, specialty pharmacy based in Troy, Mich., was recently accredited by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy through the Association’s durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) accreditation program.
DirectRx is one of only three NABP-accredited pharmacies in Michigan.