What seemed to look like a regular Tuesday for most, March 7, was a historical day for Lory Ranchert, a patient at UofL Health – Mary & Elizabeth Hospital. Ranchert was celebrating her last day of outpatient (OP) infusion treatment – and her 60th birthday.
OP infusion therapy medication is administered through a needle or catheter in a private or comfortable outpatient setting. Tricia Gorbandt, a pharmacy care advocate at Mary & Elizabeth Hospital, oversaw Ranchert’s treatment and helped celebrate her big day.
Pharmacy care advocates are staff who obtain prior authorizations for OP non-oncology infusions. These team members take on the task of wading through the difficult process on behalf of patients to help offset their financial fears and ensure their drug is approved and on site ready for their infusion. Gorbandt and her team work across many offices, both with UofL Health – UofL Physicians and outside providers, to obtain the necessary information to get the prior authorizations and get patients scheduled.
Gorbandt was part of a strong support system for Ranchert. Gorbandt went above and beyond for Ranchert by setting up appointments and answering any questions or concerns Ranchert had. She was kind and helpful throughout Ranchert’s overwhelming journey.
Gorbandt felt honored when Ranchert decided she was going to spend her milestone birthday at the hospital with staff.
“It was Lory’s 60th birthday and we are so glad she chose to celebrate with us,” Gorbandt said. “Lory is a beautiful person, and over the course of her treatment we have become friends. We were happy to celebrate with her and make her 60th birthday special.”
Each month, Gorbandt and her team successfully work with 160 patients on average to arrange various treatments that involve OP infusion and injection needs. They work closely with infusion nurses and the pharmacy team, as well as many UofL Physicians and outside providers.
Ranchert praised Gorbandt’s tireless efforts to ensure she made her experience as comfortable as possible.
“I just want you to know Tricia Gorbandt called to set up my appointments and she is so kind and helpful,” Ranchert said. “She made a bad situation a wonderful experience! She went way above and beyond for me!”
In addition to Mary & Elizabeth Hospital, UofL Health has three other locations where patients may receive OP non-oncology infusions. You can visit our Infusion Services page to learn more.
