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3rd Spaces in Independent Pharmacy  Community Pharmacy as a Third Space   Pharmacy Podcast September 2014 – Erin Albert, MBA, PharmD, JD   Background on topic: Historically, pharmacies were independent, community-based hubs for healthcare. As well, pharmacies also sprung soda fountains and diners as a “hook” for people to hang out within a local community. However, pharmacy to some extent has removed itself from being a third space hangout. What is a Third Space? A “third space” is a place other than home, school or work that people can meet and hang out in within a local community. With more and more people working as freelance professionals, along with the Affordable Care Act emphasizing a decrease in hospital readmissions and increase in wellness and preventative care, pharmacies now are positioned to seize this opportunity, by creating “hubs” for the community and its citizens to not only purchase goods around healthcare and wellness, but also become part of a community by providing space where professionals can meet, discuss and even educate themselves on health and wellness, or simply buy a cup of coffee and hop on the internet with free wifi.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.