Joyful Holiday Wishes To You!

The holiday season always feels special. We get so busy with preparations, gatherings, shopping, all while trying to keep up with normal daily activities. It can be exhausting, even stressful. But somehow, the holidays from Thanksgiving all the way through to the New Year always fill me with gratitude.

My husband, Bruce, and I have had a busy year. From his trip out west last holiday season to witness the UM football team win a bowl game and championship (!) to our exciting trip to Greece, followed by a huge kitchen remodel, 2024 brought joy, challenges, and newness. You may have felt the same things, regardless of exactly what life threw at you. But here we all are, maybe a little worse for wear, maybe a little better.

And Better My Meds continues to grow. Too slowly for me, maybe, but it's gaining traction. It's a unique pharmacy practice -- probably the only pharmacy you've ever heard of that doesn't fill prescriptions. Instead, we focus is on counseling -- helping people get better health outcomes from their medications. Because it's not a traditional pharmacy practice, I often have to explain that pharmacists can provide more than prescriptions. But we're making progress, and it's because of your support. I have you -- readers, patients, participants, and colleagues alike, to thank for that.

So I'm grateful for all of you. Some of you read all the Better My Meds blog articles, and post insightful comments and questions. Maybe you attend my speaking events and challenge me with important questions and comments. You may have engaged me to be on your healthcare team, making sure you get the best possible health outcomes from your medications. You may have even referred friends or loved ones to Better My Meds when you've seen them struggling. 

You've gained confidence in your ability to take charge of your own health and medications, and you've told me so. Your encouragement keeps me going, knowing that the knowledge and skill of pharmacists really does make a difference in health outcomes. I knew that from published studies, of course, when I founded Better My Meds. But I can see it for myself now, and that means so much more. So I thank you for your part, whatever it was, in making 2024 a great year for Better My Meds.

You'll continue to see me representing Better My Meds in 2025, too, with blog posts, speaking engagements, health fairs, and other events in local communities. And I'll be working more closely with our local independent pharmacy to integrate counseling services into community practice (more on that to come). Everyone who takes medications should have access to a pharmacist who has time to listen.

I could use your help, too. Are there medication or health-related topics you'd like more information about? Send me a message! Have you been helped by an article, presentation, or counseling session from Better My Meds? Consider writing a review on Google or Facebook! 

Now, as Christmas nears, I wish each of you a Happy Holiday. May the hope and joy of Christmas, Kwanzaa, or Hanukkah fill your days and see you safely into 2025. Maybe you'll even have time for  some well-deserved relaxation. 

 As always, your comments are welcome in the space below, or you can contact us directly at BetterMyMeds. We love hearing from you!