Ailan Reyes, PharmD, and Hillary Truong, PharmD, are 2025 PharmD graduates of the University of the Pacific Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy. Ailan is now a PGY1 pharmacy resident at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton, CA.
The APhA–ASP Operation Diabetes Committee at University of the Pacific’s Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy provides accessible, patient-centered care to communities in San Joaquin County, California. We are committed to addressing health disparities that affect underserved populations by providing services for diabetes prevention, education, support, and management.
Student pharmacists empower individuals to take control of their health by raising awareness of their prediabetes or diabetes status, promoting early detection, offering screenings, and connecting individuals to helpful resources. We strive to ensure that the individuals we serve receive the support needed to lead healthier lives.
Our expansive services
The committee has demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing the health care needs of our community through the provision of free health screenings and services at community health fairs. We offer blood glucose and A1C screenings and partner with our APhA–ASP Operation Heart Committee to provide BP and cholesterol screenings. Student pharmacists work alongside pharmacist preceptors to interpret point-of-care test results and provide patient consultations. We also distribute educational materials, ensuring patients can take actionable information home with them. The committee provides tailored education on healthy eating, physical activity, and medication adherence—key factors in preventing and managing diabetes.
The Diabetes Care Clinics (DCCs), established in 2022, has enabled the Operation Diabetes Committee to expand its services by bringing innovative care directly to patients in underserved and underrepresented communities in South Stockton. The DCCs represent a model of interdisciplinary care and collaboration, uniting students from pharmacy, social work, and nursing to provide holistic support that addresses both physical health and social determinants of health. The clinics extend beyond traditional health screenings by providing patients in need with glucometers and BP monitors, along with hands-on education and training materials to ensure proper use and promote self-management. Patients identified as at-risk for T2D are referred to our CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program.
Through the creation and implementation of a social determinants of health screening tool and referral platform, we can now identify individuals with barriers to health care and connect them with essential social services to support community well-being.
Since 2021, the Operation Diabetes Committee has participated in 44 events, served 1,958 patients, provided 3,571 health screenings, and distributed glucometers and testing supplies to 562 individuals. More than 1,000 student pharmacists have contributed to our efforts, working under the guidance of more than 400 pharmacist preceptors.
A collective effort
Upon receiving the 2023–2024 Operation Diabetes National Award at the 2025 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Nashville this past March, we felt immense pride and gratitude, not only for our dedicated team but also for the community we serve. This recognition reflects the collective effort of students, faculty, preceptors, and community members working toward the shared goal of better health.
Looking ahead, the Operation Diabetes Committee aims to continue growing its impact by expanding its reach beyond the local community, deepening community partnerships, and inspiring future students and health care professionals through student-led initiatives.