Vital Pharmacy Paves the Way for Community & Neighborhood Health in Western New York: Welcomes Thousands of New Customers

In an era where healthcare access and personalized patient care are more crucial than ever, Vital Pharmacy stands out as a beacon of innovation and dedication in Western New York. Recently honored with the 2025 CPSEN Most Engaged Pharmacy Award, Vital Pharmacy is the only pharmacy in WNY to receive this prestigious recognition, underscoring its commitment to transforming the patient experience.

Vital Pharmacy’s ultimate goal is to simplify the often-complex world of medications for patients and caregivers in our local community. A prime example of this commitment is their unique Vital Packs service. This invaluable offering organizes medications into pre-sorted packs by date and time, completely free of charge. "We understand medications can be confusing," states Michael MacEvoy, PharmD, MBA, Chief Health Services Officer of D’Youville’s Health Professions HUB. “Our services like vital packs, medication synchronization, and home delivery are effective in helping our patients take their medications correctly and on time”. This service has been a lifeline for many, especially those in the West Side community who, following the sweeping closures of Rite Aid Pharmacies across the region, happily found a new home at Vital. The pharmacy has welcomed an additional 2,000 customers in recent weeks, and they are eager to enhance pharmacy services for this community.

The significance of Vital Pharmacy’s recognition extends beyond local impact. “These pharmacies embody the collaborative, high touch care that distinguishes CPESN networks. Their engagement drives better outcomes for patients and shows the power of local pharmacy innovation at scale,” said Troy Trygstad, PharmD, MBA, PhD, Executive Director of CPESN USA. This sentiment was echoed by Jay Blackburn, Chief Executive Officer of Compliant Pharmacy Alliance Cooperative, who added, “CPA is proud to sponsor this CPESN awards recognition because active engagement is what keeps community pharmacies at the center of the health care team. We applaud each award winner for raising the bar on patient care.”

The role of community pharmacies is rapidly evolving, moving beyond medication dispensing to become vital access points for comprehensive healthcare services. Dr. Canio J. Marasco, Jr., Dean of the D’Youville University School of Pharmacy, revealed that, “ninety-six percent of Americans live within 10 miles of a community pharmacy and 58% likely to seek non-emergency healthcare services at one”, their potential to impact public health is immense. This future, focused on delivering clinical services like chronic disease management and patient education, is already a reality at D’Youville University.

Vital Pharmacy’s location on the D’Youville University campus facilitates a unique and powerful partnership with the School of Pharmacy. Dr. Marasco, Jr., emphasized how this collaboration profoundly enhances student education and positively impacts the health of the surrounding community. Students gain invaluable hands-on experience, contributing to the expansion of pharmacy practice through innovative clinical services.

“Vital Pharmacy, located on the D’Youville University campus, is honored to receive the 2025 CPESN Most Engaged Pharmacy Award,” shared Alyssa M. Wozniak, PharmD, BCPS, Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs, Outreach, & Special Projects at the D’Youville School of Pharmacy and Residency Program Director at Vital Pharmacy. “This recognition reflects the collaborative efforts of our dedicated Vital pharmacy team and its leaders, our innovative School of Pharmacy faculty leaders, and our PGY1 community-based pharmacy residents who have helped implement and expand these impactful clinical services.” Dr. Wozniak further expressed her pride, stating, “The partnership between Vital Pharmacy and the School of Pharmacy is a powerful example of how academic institutions and pharmacy organizations can work together to elevate pharmacy practice and, ultimately, help advance the profession’s scope of practice in the future.”

Vital Pharmacy's achievement is a testament to what can be accomplished when innovation, community focus, and academic partnership converge. As they continue to simplify the pharmacy experience and expand vital clinical services, Vital Pharmacy is not just dispensing medications; they are building a healthier, more engaged community in Western New York.

More about Vital Pharmacy:

Vital Pharmacy was founded in 2021 and is a full-service pharmacy that brings medication access and education to Western New York. This pharmacy is located within the Health Professions Hub on the D'Youville University Campus. 

vitalpharmacyrx.com | 301 Connecticut Street, Buffalo, NY 14213 | 716-923-4603

About CPESN USA

Launched in 2016 through efforts of the National Community Pharmacists Association and Community Care of North Carolina, CPESN® USA is a clinically integrated, nationwide organization of pharmacy networks structured to advance community-based pharmacy practice. CPESN Networks continue to expand across the country with 48 local networks in 45 states plus the District of Columbia. Over 8,500 pharmacy providers have emerged and joined the movement to provide patients, physicians, and payers with enhanced medication-use and patient-care services that have been proven to improve patient health and lower healthcare costs. To learn more, visit www.CPESN.com.