14-Girlfriend-Feature

SPECIAL FEATURE

With DR. Tanya Payton-Campbell, Cornetta R. Levi, Peggy Riggins

CHICAGO

PHARMACIST:

"Making a Real Difference"

Peggy Riggins has dispensed caring health information to thousands. She provides expert advice from one of the most trusted healhcare professionals, “The Pharmacist.” As one of the most accessible healthcare professionals, pharmacists are in an ideal position to impact public health.

Dr. Tonya Payton-Campbell

She earned her Doctorate of Pharmacy Degree from Xavier University of New Orleans, La in 1995. She is currently a Pharmacy Manager of a Walgreens Wellness Experience Store located at 11 East 75th Street Chicago Il. She has practiced on the South Side of Chicago near her South Shore home for the last 16 years.

Dr. Payton-Campbell has earned specialized certifications in the areas of Immunizations, Compounding, and CLIA waivered to provide glucose, cholesterol screenings, MTM and HIV/AIDS.

She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and her Masters of Business Administration from the Drake’s College of Business and Public Administration in May of 2007. She is currently a Pharmacy Manager with Walgreens Pharmacies in Chicago, Illinois. As a Walgreen’s Pharmacist, Dr. Levi has submerged herself in the business of providing comprehensive healthcare services to her community.

These certifications have been integrated into her practice to assist her in offering specialty services, medical Education, Health and Wellness through the use of technology and innovation to her own community. Tonya has been an organizer of local Health fairs hosted by Walgreens, several Churches including her home church St. Phiip Neri, National Organizations such as Knights of Peter Claver, Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc., and Eli Lilly Diabetes Education series.

Tonya’s most recent certification is in the area of HIV/AIDS education and Management. This embarks a new level of commitment and obligation to be a part of movement that is so significant. Educating, advocating, mentoring and becoming a member of the treatment team for patients infected HIV/AIDS has truly been one of the most rewarding and exciting things she has ever been a part of her pharmacy career. Raising awareness, decreasing stigma and promoting adherence for treatment success and quality of life is a daily goal.

“I am truly blessed, my professional life allows me to

fulfill my need to give knowledge, display talent, be

charitable and help others Live Well.”

Tonya’s affiliations include Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, American Pharmacy Association (APhA), Chicago Pharmacist Association (CPhA) , Vice Grand Lady , Ladies of Grace KPCLA, Vice President of SPN Women’s Club, and Black Catholic Advisory Board Member. Tonya is the Executive Director of Association of Women Pharmacist (AWP). A non for profit professional organization that strives to promote women in pharmacy by mentoring young women in all health care fields, assisting in job placement, professional school referrals and scholarships. AWP has been a leading organization bringing pharmaceutical knowledge to the community.

Her work is specifically concentrated in one of Chicago’s urban communities with high diabetic, cardiovascular diseases, and HIV/AIDS populations. To better serve her community, she earned additional certifications as a Diabetes Educator (CDE), Medication Therapy Management (MTM), HIV Pharmacotherapy CE and an Immunizing Pharmacist. Dr. Levi has organized and participated in several community health fairs as part of the Walgreens’ Community Wellness and Health initiative.

Dr. Levi currently serves as President Elect for the National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA). Dr. Levi has been an active member of NPhA since 2007. She embraced a leadership role in the organization in 2008 as Board Member. She also actively participates in the NPhA/SNPhA National Executive Mentorship Program. She has been a catalyst in streamlining the association which has lead to increased membership in the organization by ten percent.

Dr. Levi’s clinical experience not only includes the field of pharmacy but also direct patient care. She has been a licensed paramedic in the state of Illinois for eleven years. She worked for seven years in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the University of Chicago Hospital and the hospital’s burn center. In Des Moines, Iowa, she worked in the Level II trauma center at Mercy Medical Center.

Prior to her hospital experience, Dr. Levi served as a member of the U.S. Army where she served her country proudly, both domestically and abroad, as a Medical Coreman for ten years.

Peggy addresses medication management and the promotion of knowledge about pharmaceutical issues. She is also involved with issues concerning the role of the pharmacist in today’s complex healthcare environment. Peggy is the co-founder of the Association of Women Pharmacists (AWP), a nonprofit professional organization dedicated to recognizing some of the unique concerns facing female pharmacists.

With over 25 years experience in both retail pharmaceutical and clinical hospital settings, Peggy has received many commendations for her communication skills and community service work. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. An Executive Director with Soul Purpose,

Inc., a nature-based bath and body wellness company, she has one son, Reginald, and resides in Chicago.