Oct. 17-23 is National Pharmacy Week! This week acknowledges the invaluable contribution pharmacists and technicians make to patient care in hospitals, outpatient clinics and other health care systems.
National Pharmacy Week is a time to recognize the powerful impact the pharmacy staff offer to patients. It is an opportunity to raise patients’ and colleagues’ awareness about the vital role pharmacists and technicians play on the health care team. It also provides a meaningful way to affirm the pharmacy staff’s hard work to ensure the safe use of medications and achieve optimal clinical outcomes.
UofL Health – UofL Hospital recently celebrated several of its pharmacists who were recognized on the state level for their dedication to the pharmacy profession.
KSHP 2021 Pharmacist of the Year
Lourdes Ramos Cross, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES
Clinical Pharmacist, UofL Health – UofL Hospital Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology Assistant Professor, Sullivan University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
PGY1 residency program director at Sullivan University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Dr. Cross is described by her peers as a “model pharmacy practitioner who has dedicated her career to improving clinical pharmacy services.” She has an “exponential impact on patient care, pharmacy education and professional advancement,” and she “has inspired many pharmacy learners.”
KSHP 2021 New Practitioner of the Year
Emily O’Reilly, PharmD, BCACP, CSP
UofL Health, Specialty Pharmacy
Residency Program Director PGY1 Community Pharmacy Residency
Clinical Pharmacist for UofL Health – Multiple Sclerosis Center
Dr. O’Reilly demonstrates an active interest in teaching and precepting, commitment to self-improvement, and leadership within the profession. Her dedication and contributions to the profession has led to her development of the PGY1 Community Pharmacy Residency at UofL Health, establishing pharmacy services in the UofL Health Multiple Sclerosis Center, 2019 KSHP Resident of the Year, and initiating Smoking Cessation Protocol within UofL Health Outpatient Pharmacy.
KSHP 2020-21 President
Tina Claypool, PharmD, CDCES
Supervisor, Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Services, UofL Health
Director, PGY2 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Residency
Clinical Pharmacist and coordinator, UofL Health Employee Diabetes Program
Dr. Claypool serves as a pharmacy advocate evident by her pharmacy leadership. Tina is a long-standing member and leader of KSHP. Her leadership activities have contributed to advancing pharmacy practice in Kentucky and advocating for pharmacist services on a state and national level. She is passionate about pharmacists serving in the role where they are best—medication expert, patient advocate, and patient health educator. Tina enjoys collaborating with health care professionals and administrators to provide progressive pharmacy services that enhance patient access to improved health, education, and support. Dr. Claypool will also be recognized for her dedication to UofL Hospital for 25 years this month!
National Pharmacy Technician Day: Oct. 19
Pharmacy Technician Day is dedicated to pharmacy technicians due to their crucial contributions to patient care and safety. Pharmacy technicians are an integral component of the health care team.
UofL Health – UofL Hospital Inpatient Pharmacy is home to inpatient certified pharmacy technician, Jovan Hughes who recently was awarded the Kentucky Society of Health-System Pharmacists 2021 Pharmacy Technician of the Year.
KSHP 2021 Pharmacy Technician of the Year
Jovan Hughes, CPhT
UofL Health – UofL Hospital Inpatient Pharmacy
Jovan Hughes, CPhT, is a certified pharmacy technician and serves as the current inpatient pharmacy technician operations coordinator and has been with the organization since 2016. Her co-workers describe Jovan as “going above and beyond and helping others along the way.” She is noted to “exhibit an unrivaled pursuit of excellence in the provision of pharmacy services to patients, nursing staff, commitment to developing the pharmacy technician team, and perseverance during trying times.” Congratulations and thank you Jovan for everything you do!
Be sure to thank your local and hospital pharmacy staff this week!
To learn more about Kentucky Society of Health-System Pharmacists and see more of our recognized pharmacy staff and health-system pharmacy highlights, visit https://www.kshp.org/
Information source: www.ashp.org
