ST. LOUIS — At GreaterHealth Pharmacy in St. Louis, founder Dr. Marcus Howard found a marketing slogan that characterized his goals so well that he applied for a copyright.
“Radically inclusive, culturally responsive,” Howard said.
He aims to fill a need in the community. His research showed that the community around his Delmar location is made up largely of people of color.
“Everybody knows when something is designed specifically for them,” said Howard, who has been in business for more than a year, “or not designed with them in mind.”
He said the slogan is about more than just marketing. His goal is for anybody to feel welcome and valued at GreaterHealth Pharmacy regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, orientation, religion or country of origin.
“Every country, every organization is becoming increasingly diverse and more aware of how important diversity is, not just socially, but also to the bottom line of business,” he said. “So, we trademarked it — 'Radically inclusive, culturally responsive' — because we knew we were on to something. We knew we had a really incredible local brand that eventually was going to have national appeal.”
From the over-the-counter section, Howard cited an example that he said demonstrates their commitment.
“One of our highest-selling products is our Band-Aids,” Howard said. “These are our Ourtone brand Band-Aids, our highest-selling product in our over-the-counter section. One of the reasons why is that these band-aids match the skin color of the people who come into the pharmacy.”
At the new Ferguson Health Center, Affinia Healthcare CEO Dr. Kendra Holmes said health disparities among people of color show up in respiratory illness, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
“It’s very uncomfortable for Black people to talk about,” Holmes said. “It’s very uncomfortable for people who are not Black to talk about the health disparities.”
Holmes started at Affinia more than 20 years ago as a staff pharmacist. She also served as pharmacy director, vice president of clinical integration and chief operating officer before being promoted to chief executive officer.
Holmes said health disparities among people of color can also be seen in infant mortality rates. In this part of the country, she said Black babies are six times more likely to die in their first year than white babies.
“What the research actually says is it’s a lack of health insurance, health care literacy and follow-up, and also bias," Holmes said. "It’s biased particularly with African-American women during pregnancy, providers just not listening to their concerns. We see a lot of African-American women die during childbirth, as well.”
Affinia-certified nurse midwife and family nurse practitioner Hali Ledet works to decrease those health disparities.
“In all our patient rooms, you’ll see the Black Birthing Bill of Rights,” she said.
Ledet was asked what reaction people have when she points out to them the Black Birthing Bill of Rights.
“I think for the most part, they feel seen,” Ledet said. “So, they really feel like, ‘Yes, this resonates with me. This makes me feel like this is a safe space, somewhere I can bring my family and be cared for.’”
Back at GreaterHealth Pharmacy, Howard said behind the counter, clients will find professionals who look like them.
“Customers bring their children in,” Howard said, “because they get to see pharmacists — whether male, female or any gender — who represent them in a way where they can see themselves and become a pharmacist.”
Dr. Kenneth Powell Jr. is GreaterHealth's chief pharmacy officer.
“The goal is to get that trust and have somebody trust you on a certain level and communicate with you,” Powell said. “You want them to know they can trust that the person on the other end knows what they’re going through. You want to inspire, ‘They know what I’m talking about. They believe me.’”
GreaterHealth Pharmacy also offers free delivery.
“It’s a very good service for medication,” GreaterHealth Pharmacy Head of Operations Mary Ndung’u said. “It ensures people have what they need on time and compliance is adhered to.”
Ndung’u spoke of the community service experiment she is part of at GreaterHealth Pharmacy.
“This is something that was very needed, and people appreciate having it from GreaterHealth Pharmacy.”
Howard said he is in the process of negotiating with national grocery and healthcare organizations that are interested in GreaterHealth Pharmacy’s model - radically inclusive and culturally responsive.
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