National Pharmacist Day is celebrated each year on Jan. 12! We would like to give tribute to our UofL Health pharmacists by sharing their most memorable COVID-19 moment as first line health care workers. We have many pharmacists from many departments and locations that have taken an active role during the pandemic.
Like Meredith Niemann, Pharm.D., BCPS, for example. Dr. Niemann is a clinical pharmacist within the internal medicine team at UofL Health – UofL Hospital. Her most memorable moment as a pharmacist during the COVID-19 pandemic has been working with the medicine team to obtain the first vials of remdesivir through the FDA’s emergency compassionate use for the treatment of COVID-19.
Brette Conliffe, Pharm.D., BCOP, clinical pharmacy oncology specialist practices at the Brown Cancer Center shared her most memorable moment as a pharmacist during the pandemic was, “When we were finally able to host a vaccine clinic specifically for our patients at the Brown Cancer Center who were high-risk but had struggled to get a vaccine through other venues due to various barriers that they faced. Seeing the relief and excitement that our patients and their families felt was so rewarding.”
Taylor Sheehan, Pharm.D., pharmacist and pharmacy supervisor at Peace Hospital, shared that her most memorable moment as a pharmacist during the pandemic has been “bringing peace of mind to my COVID patients while administering Regeneron®. Having common conversations with them about their favorite band or dessert to ease their fear while administering. Also working on Saturdays at the Brook Street – Downtown Drive-Thru Clinic.”
Melissa Robertson, Pharm.D., manager of Medication Safety and Pharmacy Residency Training for UofL Health explains that her most memorable moment as a pharmacist was “the day we received the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine at UofL Health and getting to watch as the first person in the state was vaccinated!”
Thank you to all of our pharmacists who go above and beyond for their patients. Stay tuned for upcoming information on the additional clinical services our outpatient pharmacists can provide!
