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Oct. 22, 2024
National Pharmacy Week: Meet Sgt. Tristan Thompson
Tripler Army Medical Center — What do you do? I am the floor supervisor for the Inpatient Pharmacy and alternate vault technician. As a tech, my main functions include (but are not limited to) delivering medications to every ward and clinic in the hospital, compounding sterile IV medications for every ward in the hospital, filling every automated medication dispensing system in the hospital, and filling discharge medication after hours. We average about 1,000 unit dose medications and about 1,000 IV medications filled per day and manage 5,536 medications loaded in automated medication dispensing systems throughout the hospital. How long have you worked at TAMC? I moved from Fort Huachuca, Arizona to TAMC in March 2022. What do you enjoy about your job? I enjoy learning about medications, including their mechanism of action (how they work), what they are used for, adverse reactions, drug interactions, etc. Above all that, though, I greatly enjoy putting a smile on people’s faces and helping them out. Why did you become a pharmacy technician? I’ve always wanted to be in the Army as a medic. My older brother joined the Army a combat medic, and naturally, as the younger brother, I tried to one-up him by being a pharmacy tech. During the rehearsal for my high school graduation, I received a call from my recruiter about a pharmacy tech opening and sign my Army contract that same day.
National Pharmacy Week: Meet Ms. Sonya Yamasaki, RPh
Tripler Army Medical Center — What do you do? I am a pharmacist in the Outpatient Pharmacy. How long have you worked at TAMC? It will be 20 years at the end of November. What do you enjoy about your job? I like helping patients manage their medications. Tips like how and when to take their medications and what to expect in terms of side effects are useful information to help patients avoid getting overwhelmed. I also enjoy working with my co-workers. The staff in the outpatient pharmacy is made up of different personalities that make the day go by quickly. Why did you become a pharmacist? I was inspired to become a pharmacist when I saw how my parents and their friends struggled to understand what their medications were for and how to take them. Before starting pharmacy school, I volunteered at a community pharmacy and enjoyed interacting with the patients.
National Pharmacy Week: Meet Ms. Kari Mai
Tripler Army Medical Center — What do you do? Compound chemotherapy medications for patients who are getting treatment. Process medication and supply orders to maintain inventory for the Oncology Pharmacy. Train fellow pharmacy technicians, students, and residents on compounding chemotherapy medications. How long have you worked at TAMC? 18 years. What do you enjoy about your job? I get to work with a fantastic Oncology team that consists of pharmacists, nurses, and doctors. We work together to provide the best care for patients who receive treatment in our clinic. How did you become a pharmacy technician? I worked part-time at Longs Drugs while I attended college. I started out as a cashier, then an ancillary clerk in the pharmacy, and finally received training and certification to become a pharmacy technician.
National Pharmacy Week: Meet Pfc. James Vradenburg III
Tripler Army Medical Center — What do you do? I work as a pharmacy technician in the pharmacy's supply section, which is the inpatient pharmacy. This position entails ordering medication stock for the outpatient section of the pharmacy. I also assist in filling stock for the automated medication dispensing systems located within various wards in the hospital, as well as making crash cart sets to be placed within the carts located throughout the hospital. How long have you worked at TAMC? I’ve been at TAMC since September of 2023. What do you enjoy about your job? I enjoy everything about my job and the role I fill. Pharmacy is vital to a hospital, the world, and our everyday lives. I love seeing all the medications we order and dispense throughout the hospital, how they move, and what they do. I love the complexity of the drugs we dispense, and their ability to do so many different things for so many people. I love knowing that the drugs we dispense will treat people and help them make a positive difference in their lives. Why did you become a pharmacy technician? I knew that when I joined the Army, I would want to be a Pharmacy Technician. I went to Fort Sam Houston to learn the various aspects of Pharmacy and Pharmacy Certified Pharmacy Technician.
National Pharmacy Week: Meet U.S. Army Capt. Chuck Hennes, PharmD
Tripler Army Medical Center — What do you do? I am responsible for optimizing medication therapy through evidence-based recommendations in an interdisciplinary team to improve patient outcomes. How long have you worked at TAMC? Three months. What do you enjoy about your job? I like collaborating with other health care providers and caring for our patients. Why did you become a pharmacist? I was a chemistry major in college and thought drugs were pretty cool. This led me on a unique journey of self-discovery and enlightenment when seeking a suitable career. I saw an opportunity to apply to pharmacy school and went for it. Now, I try to convince others that some drugs are excellent and can help you.
National Pharmacy Week: Meet Dr. Chris Tan, PharmD, BCPS
Tripler Army Medical Center — What do you do? I participate in patient care rounds, collaborate with the ICU care team, and provide medication-related input and recommendations during rounds. I also help recognize potential inefficiencies or problems in medication management processes and propose and implement solutions to improve medication safety and workflow efficiency. How long have you worked at TAMC? 18 years. What do you enjoy about your job? I appreciate the fast paced, high acuity environment of the ICU and find fulfillment in knowing that my work truly makes a difference. I enjoy mentoring pharmacy residents in Critical Care Medicine and demonstrating vital contributions Clinical Pharmacists make. Why did you become a pharmacist? I have always had a strong interest in pharmacology and physiology. During college in the Bay Area, I was inspired by the pioneering work of the Clinical Pharmacists at UCSF in Pharmaceutical Care, which solidified my decision to pursue a career in Clinical Pharmacy.
National Pharmacy Week: Meet Ms. Amanda Lucero
Tripler Army Medical Center — What do you do? I help pharmacists fill prescriptions, handle medication orders, assist patients, and ensure they get the proper medications safely and on time. How long have you worked at TAMC? A little over a year. What do you enjoy about your job? I enjoy making a positive impact on patients’ lives, the variety of tasks, and the fast-paced, team-oriented environment. How did they become a pharmacy technician? I became a pharmacy technician by completing a training program, passing the pharmacy technician certification board, and gaining hands-on experience at a retail pharmacy.
National Pharmacy Week: Meet Dr. Catherine Sexton, PharmD, BCPS
Tripler Army Medical Center — What do you do? I am an inpatient pharmacist who helps verify and prepare medications for patients throughout the hospital. How long have you worked at TAMC? I have worked at TAMC for 1.5 years, but previously, I transferred from Walter Reed Naval Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), where I worked for three years. What do you enjoy about your job? I enjoy helping patients by working with providers and nurses to deliver safe pharmaceutical care. I focus on compounding oral liquid medications for patients who are unable to swallow tablets, and I am glad I can help these patients in this way since they are often pediatric patients. How did you become a pharmacist? I became a pharmacist by attending the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy for six years. After that, I completed pharmacy residency training in Massachusetts.
Aug. 23, 2024
Tripler Army Medical Center Best Medic 2024
Tripler Army Medical Center — U.S. Army Sgt. Nazariy Kurpita; of Medical Readiness Battalion, Hawaii; and Capt. Jess Guerin, of the Desmond T. Doss Health Clinic, were named the winners of Tripler Army Medical Center’s 2024 Best Medic Competition during a ceremony at Tripler’s Kyser Auditorium on Aug. 23, 2024. (DHA photo by Crizalmer Caraang Jr.)
Aug. 22, 2024
Tripler Army Medical Center Awards Ceremony
Tripler Army Medical Center — U.S. Army Col. Michael Ronn, Tripler Army Medical Center commander, left, and Command Sgt. Maj. Omar Bond, right, celebrate Master Sgt. Kimberly Shinn's induction into Army Medicine’s prestigious Order of the Military Medical Merit, also known as O2M3, during an award ceremony on Aug. 22, 2024. Founded in 1982 by the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Health Service Command, the honor recognizes people who have served in the Army Medical Department and through selflessness, have made a sustained contribution to the betterment of Army Medicine. (Defense Health Agency photo by Crizalmer Caraang Jr.)