46
Awards
Deirdre Dominating the Role of Pharmacy Technicians Deirdre Doherty, O’Donnells totalhealth Pharmacy, Gweedore: Winner of the Paolo Iacovelli Community Pharmacy Technician of the Year Award
Awards The Irish Pharmacy
2022
The first accolade at the Irish Pharmacy Awards was given out in memory of Paolo Iacovelli, one of the first ever sponsors of the Community Pharmacy Technician of the Year category. It went on the night to Deirdre Doherty of O’Donnells totalhealth Pharmacy, Gweedore. Laura Romero Iacovelli, PharmaConex with the winner of the Paolo Iacovelli Community Pharmacy Technician of the Year Award Deirdre Doherty, totalhealth Pharmacy, Gweedore, Tracey Barry and Manuela Cavaliere, both PharmaConex
One of the most relied-upon members of staff, Deirdre is regularly described as dedicated, adaptable, reliable, motivated, and hard-working. She has impeccable people skills and is a true teamplayer. She leads by example within the team, she never seems to stop working trying to find ways we can operate more efficiently. Deirdre works longer hours than the normal shop day. She continues after work and often on days off when duty calls.
The pharmacy is located in a community hub premises, that serves as a meeting place for locals to congregate and connect, part of what community pharmacy is all about.
She has proud community spirit and puts everyone else’s needs before her own, especially the customer and patient.
“Deirdre joined the pharmacy team at O’Donnell’s totalhealth Pharmacy 25 years ago in 1997 as a trainee OTC assistant. Her passion for community pharmacy was evident from the beginning, and she continued to progress her knowledge and her career,
O’Donnell’s totalhealth Pharmacy lies in the Donegal Gaeltacht and is primarily Irish-speaking.
Her Supervising Pharmacists says, “Deirdre is regarded by her colleagues, customers and patients as very passionate and genuine person. Her commitment and contribution to the business is exceptional on so many fronts.
PHARMACYNEWSIRELAND.COM
being promoted to Front of Shop Manager, lending her support and knowledge to staff and customers.
“At her core, Deirdre is the patient advocate, the person who goes to the ends of the earth 24/7, often following up queries for them on her days off and very often after hours. Her approach is consistently personcentred, with our patients and with her teammates.”
“Deirdre completed the IPU Pharmacy Technician course in 2013 and acts as the pharmacy’s senior technician in conjunction with her front of shop manager duties. Her commitment to both roles knows no bounds. She is respected and admired by patients and team mates alike, and is relied upon for her dedication and effort daily. Deirdre’s commitment to her professional development is evident by the number of training courses she has completed with distinction to improve her knowledge and competency in her pharmacy role.” These courses include:
• totalhealth First Aid
• totalhealth Medicine Counter Assistant
• Lipotrim Training for monitored weight management.
• totalhealth Vitamins & Natural Remedies • NPA Medicine Counter Assistant Course • Retail Training with Skillnet Ireland
