Lydia Newsom, PharmD, BCPS

Medications can be intimidating, and Lydia Newsom has solutions that work.  

The Seavey Clinic pharmacist is an excellent communicator who works with her patients to ease their fear of taking medication. Via Univago, a HIPAA-compliant platform similar to Skype, she reviews proper technique for giving an injection, gives detailed reasons why the patient requires a particular drug, and reviews dosing instructions and potential side effects. She tailors regimens to her patients’ needs, such as determining if they can take the drug once a day instead of twice. 

“Many of our patients need special attention,” says Newsom, whose team specializes in helping patients manage chronic conditions. “It’s important to follow up, so we do that.” 

Newsom also works closely with doctors and the clinic’s nurse practitioner, helping determine the correct drugs for chronic illnesses such as diabetes. For example, Seavey is using a new blood glucose meter called the Freestyle Libre that continuously monitors patients’ blood glucose values, sparing them the pain of pricking their finger. Newsom worked with clinic providers to streamline ordering, reached out to pharmacies and insurance companies regarding coverage, and educated patients on how to use the device.  

As she teaches patients and works with doctors, she is also teaching the next generation of pharmacists. Newsom is also a clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice at Mercer University College of Pharmacy, and the Seavey Clinic provides an excellent training ground for her students. They learn how to be especially attentive to patients, and to understand why many patients are intimidated by the medication they have been prescribed. Her team helps patients to understand how different drugs interact and to navigate insurance issues related to prescriptions. 

“Most patients can be successful in taking their medications,” she says. “They just need to be taught how.”