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Supporting our strategic plan goal of cultivating healthy communities — and initiatives of patient safety, resource stewardship, working as one team from Charlottesville to Northern Virginia, and more —  UVA Health held biannual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 25.

Charlottesville

At the Spring 2026 touch-free, drop-off event — outside Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center, 1240 Lee St., across from the main entrance to UVA Health University Medical Center — up to 45 residents (one couple from as far away as Washington, D.C.!) drove up curbside and rolled down windows so our volunteer team members could safely collect unused or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications — no questions asked.

Each received an information magnet and brochure (which also included a list of locations for year-round drop-off).

Volunteers collected more than 75 pounds!

UVA Health Pharmacy, UVA Department of Anesthesiology Pain Management Division, UVA Office of Pain Management and Opioid Stewardship (OPMOS), and UVA Police Department sponsored the event.

Robert Goldstein, MD, former Medical Director, Pain Management Center, and former Division Chief of Pain Medicine, retired in 2025, but remains active in other roles. It's Dr. Goldstein's 2023 winning submission to the UVA Health SPARK Innovation Competition that expanded drug take back efforts across the health system.

Organizers included Dr. Goldstein; Khaing Nwe Phoo, MHA, Assistant Administrator, Department of Anesthesiology; Dania Chastain, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, UVA School of Medicine, and Founder and Director, OPMOS; Wendy Carlton, Program Director, OPMOS; Justin Vesser, PharmD, Ambulatory Pharmacy Director, UVA Health; Justin Chan, PharmD, UVA Health Pharmacy; Josh Roach, MD, Assistant Professor,Department of Anesthesiology, UVA School of Medicine; Carrie Kovacik, PharmD, MSHA, Manager, UVA Health Ambulatory Pharmacy Supply Chain; UVA Police Lt. Maeve O'Neill; and Dawn Niles, UVA Health Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications. 

"Building on our previous events, it’s incredibly rewarding to see the continued momentum and engagement at this Drug Take Back Day,” shares Phoo. “Each event reinforces how impactful it is when our teams and community come together to promote safety and protect our environment.”

“I just love this event, such a wonderful group of volunteers!!” says Chastain. “Thank you for your time and talents, you really did a service for our community and represented UVA and UVA Health so proudly! Let’s do it again this fall!” The sentiment of camaraderie is echoed by Carlton, who tells volunteers: “Thanks again everyone, for your good nature and enthusiasm, and for showing up for our community. Loved spending my Saturday with you all!”

Volunteers also included Mia Kim, third-year student, UVA School of Nursing; David Anderson, CPhT, 340B, ACE; Mary Pat Thomas, PharmD, BCPS, CPHQ; and UVA Police Ofc. Douglas Webb, who also drove the final collection an hour and a half to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) site in Appomattox, Virginia.

“I appreciate being part of an event that makes medication disposal easy and accessible — while educating the community on safe practices that prevent misuse and protect the environment," says Drug Take Back Day volunteer Alexa Gromada, who works as a Clinical Research Coordinator, UVA Department of Anesthesiology.

UVA Community Health

Also on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,  unused medications were dropped off for safe disposal at these UVA Health Prescription Drug Take Back Day events in Northern Virginia:

• UVA Health Haymarket Medical Center: 76 encounters resulted in the collection of 152 pounds
• UVA Health Prince William Medical Center: 52 encounters resulted in the collection of 156 pounds

“Thank you. leaders. for your team members' support and participation in cultivating healthy communities!” says Rozlyn Giddens, Program Manager, Community Engagement, UVA Community Health, who led the way. “Thank you team for supporting the community with your skills and expertise and modeling our ASPIRE values!”

Other team members and volunteers included clinical pharmacists Mihyun Huh, Yvonne Labram, and Summer Young, Haymarket Medical Center; Candace Ly, Assistant Manager, Pharmacy; Camille Whitfield, Acute Care Licensed Practical Nurse; Mihret Ambarash, Rehab Tech; and Jon Meli, PharmD, MS, Director of Pharmacy, Prince William Medical Center.

Sharps were not accepted, but free sharps disposal containers were distributed, along with information on sharps and aerosol disposal, and landfill information in English and Spanish.

These events were sponsored in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration, Manassas City Police Department, Prince William County Police Department, and Prince William Community Services.

Other area collection sites also included the Prince William County Police Department in Woodbridge and the Culpeper Police Department.

UVA Health Haymarket Medical Center Drug Take Back Day

UVA Health Prince William Medical Center Drug Take Back Day

Mark your calendar for the next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, expected to take place Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026!