Samford Alumnus Introduces First Telemedicine Kiosk In An Alabama Pharmacy

By Sarah Waller, Samford University

As the owner of an independent pharmacy, Cole Sandlin’s goal is to make it a health care destination.

“We’re located in a rural community, but I want my patients to have all of the amenities and services that bigger cities have to offer. This is what drives me to offer new things,” said Sandlin, a 2008 alumnus of Samford University’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy.

Sandlin is a third-generation owner of Fred’s Pharmacy in Hamilton. He is also a third-generation McWhorter School of Pharmacy alumnus. “Coming back and owning the family business was my goal of becoming a pharmacist. I knew I wanted to work with the public and give back to the community that helped raise me,” he said.

In 2016, American Well, a national telemedicine technology company, approached American Pharmacy Cooperative Inc., of which Fred’s Pharmacy is a member, about installing a telemedicine kiosk in one of its members’ pharmacies. Bruce Harris, a 2012 Samford alumnus, worked for the cooperative at the time and reached out to Sandlin about the opportunity. He jumped at the chance.

Telemedicine provides a live interaction with a physician located remotely for evaluation, diagnosis and treatment. Sandlin said with a small fee, patients in his community can come to his pharmacy and interact with a physician through a live video stream. The kiosk includes a blood pressure cuff, thermometer, oximeter, dermoscope and otoscope so vitals can be measured and areas such as the ears, nose and throat can be examined.

To read the full article, please visit the Alabama NewsCenter website.

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