Mercer University alumna Sarah Layson is a licensed district leader at CVS Health with an area encompassing 15 stores in northwest Georgia. She is assisting in leading operations at a COVID-19 testing site that CVS recently opened in Atlanta.
“As a pharmacist, this testing site gives me the opportunity to be hands on again and stand strong in the oath of always embracing and advocating for changes that improve patient care,” Layson said.
The testing site is located on the Georgia Tech campus at 352 Peachtree Place. The site is available for individuals who meet criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in addition to state residency and age guidelines. It is a self-administered nasal swab that gives quick results to customers who may be worried about symptoms that are closely related to those of allergy season.
“Our drive-thru self-testing facility has had the opportunity to give peace of mind and direction for next steps to so many Georgians during the crisis,” Layson said. “We have the ability to offer self testing to approximately 1,000 customers a day in conjunction with our Minute Clinic and retail staff.”
Layson graduated from Mercer in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in biology and graduated from Mercer’s College of Pharmacy in 2010.
“The Mercer spirit is one of giving back, doing for others and working hard — something I saw quickly as a student worker in alumni relations. Mercerians take pride in what they do, regardless of the task at hand,” Layson said. “I remember back in my undergraduate days being told to always be remembered for something great.
“During COVID-19, my CVS Health family has quickly done just that, always doing great things for those people we serve.”
Layson leaves Mercerians with some advice during this pandemic:
“Stay home, follow proper hand hygiene, wear a mask (and) if you don’t feel well — definitely don’t expose yourself to others. We are all in this together!”
