Grand Rapids Dominican Receives Healthy Community Award

DETROIT, MI April 3, 2009 -- On Saturday, February 28, Grand Rapids Dominican Phyllis Klonowski received the prestigious Bowl of Hygeia Award for the state of Michigan at the 2009 Michigan Pharmacists Association’s (MPA) Annual Convention & Exposition in Dearborn.

The "Bowl of Hygeia" derives its name from the Greek goddess, Hygeia, who was the guardian over the healing potion contained in the bowl.

Each state selects one person through their respective professional pharmacy associations, based on having made uniquely personal contributions to a strong, healthy community.

Sister Klonowski is the founder and pharmacy director of the Community Prescription Support Program (CRxSP), a nonprofit organization based at St. Mary’s of Michigan that serves needy populations such as the elderly, mental health patients and the working poor in Saginaw County.  In that capacity, she works with pharmaceutical companies and local hospitals to help provide her clients with the necessary medications, all at no cost.

“This is a highly prestigious honor for Sister Klonowski,” says Community Prescription Support Program Executive Director Michael Dunckel. “She started this program and has guided it to where it is today, serving the unemployed and underemployed for the last eight years.” This is the second year in a row that Sister Klonowski has been recognized for her work. In 2008, she was named the Consultant Pharmacists Society of Michigan Pharmacist of the Year.