This session will provide an overview of social determinants of health and structural competency, offering a foundational refresher for learners with diverse backgrounds. Through think–pair–share activities, participants will examine how social and structural factors shape health outcomes in real-world contexts. An interactive case-based exercise will guide attendees in identifying and addressing social determinants of health within pharmacy practice. Practical screening tools and strategies applicable to real-world settings will also be introduced.

Presenters

Florencia Barrio-Zaller, PharmD, BCPS, APh Florencia Barrio-Zaller is a board-certified ambulatory clinical pharmacist with over 20 years of experience delivering patient-centered, evidence-based care across ambulatory, inpatient, and population health settings. She specializes in medication therapy management, chronic disease management, and collaborative practice, with a strong focus on improving outcomes for high-risk and underserved populations.An immigrant from Argentina and native Spanish speaker, Dr. Zaller is deeply committed to culturally responsive care and advancing health equity. She played a key role in developing and implementing a hypertension care model at Providence designed to serve BIPOC communities, with a particular emphasis on Black and Hispanic/Latinx populations, improving access, engagement, and clinical outcomes. She recently transitioned into a role as a Clinical Pharmacist with Shields Health Solutions, where she supports integrated specialty care models that enhance medication access, adherence, and outcomes through close collaboration with health system partners and interdisciplinary teams.

Jennifer Ko, PharmD, MPH, BCACP, APh Jennifer Ko received her Pharm.D. degree from the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and MPH degree from Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. She currently practices ambulatory care at a Federally Qualified Health Center, where she manages chronic disease states while addressing barriers to medication access. She is passionate about caring for underserved populations and minimizing health disparities. Her research and scholarship focus on evaluating barriers to medication access in underserved settings and exploring effective ways to teach student pharmacists to provide compassionate, patient-centered care.

Learning Objectives

1. Define key concepts of social determinants of health and structural competency
2. Describe how social and structural factors influence pharmacy care using real-world examples.
3. Apply appropriate screening tools to identify social and structural barriers in a patient case.

Registration

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Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) Credit The California Pharmacists Association (#0113) is approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. Upon completing an evaluation form, participants will be awarded 1.0 hour (0.10 CEUs) of Continuing Pharmacy Education Credit. A statement of credit will not be issued. Participants may log onto the CPE monitor website using their individual log in to download their statement of credit. Please allow 4 weeks for processing of CPE credits to the CPE monitor. ACPE UAN#: 0113-9999-26-024-L99-P. Release date: 9/10/2026 Expiration date: 9/10/2029.