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In 2006, Ruth Smarinsky, Pharm.D, joined Direct Relief International as part of the organization’s expansion of assistance within the United States. Ruth primarily works with primary healthcare clinics in Gulf Coast States that suffered greatly after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. She is also a pharmacist at Clinica Msr. Oscar A. Romero in Los Angeles, California, a community clinic serving more than 15,000 low-income, uninsured patients. Ruth is the former Director of Pharmacy Services at Venice Family Clinic, the largest free clinic in the United States. During her 11 years at the clinic, she was responsible for implementing pharmaceutical services and was able to greatly increase the variety of pharmaceuticals available to patients while keeping annual expenditures low. Ruth has also worked in hospital pharmacies and chain drug stores, and she has owned a pharmacy. She has been honored with several awards, including a 2003 Medpin (Medications for Patients in Need) award for Pharmaceutical Management. Direct Relief is excited to have Ruth’s expertise and background as the organization looks to expand its domestic programs. | 