More than a pharmacy

U.S. Army Spc. Emmanuel Gonzalez, a pharmacy technician at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center’s Inpatient Pharmacy, handles hazardous pharmaceutical compounds using an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) hood to prepare chemotherapeutic drugs for cancer treatment, Oct. 16.

Last to serve: Pharmacy staff make lasting impressions in patient care

By Marcy Sanchez Public Affairs Specialist Landstuhl Regional Medical Center

LANDSTUHL, Germany -- It’s the last stop before going home, back to work or school for many beneficiaries who come to the hospital for medical attention. But the pharmacy is far from a take-a-number operation keeping you from the rest of your day.

Since the early use of herbal medicine to three-dimensional printed pills, pharmacists have worked to help heal the human body for centuries. Pharmacy staff behind counters and windows not only help patients get better, they help save lives.

“It was always interesting to me that a little pill can do so much to a person. That was a starting point where I wanted to learn more about medicine,” said U.S. Army Spc. Richard Martinez, a pharmacy technician at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center’s Inpatient Pharmacy. “I enlisted in the Army for (the pharmacy technician military occupational specialty) and I love it, and enjoy it more than I thought I would.”

Before enlisting in the Army, Martinez went to school for forensic science and started working as a forensic autopsy technician at a mortuary. While performing autopsies he was fascinated by medicinal effects on the body, so he searched for an opportunity to learn more.

“It spans so many levels beyond handing out medications to a patient,” said Martinez, a native of Apopka, Florida. Pharmacy technicians may also deliver anesthesia to operating rooms, injectable medications which can paralyze a

person, and adhere to sterile techniques to avoid compromising medication. “It’s interesting how modern medicine can bring you up, drop you down, or keep you steady. I think it’s pretty neat.”

Pharmacists and technicians are celebrated annually every third week of October during National Pharmacy Week, an observance which allows organizations to acknowledge the contributions of pharmacy staff in health care settings.

As an Army pharmacist, Capt. Adam Szabat says something about military pharmacies that sets them apart from their civilian counterparts - pride.

“There are pros, cons and similarities as well,” said Szabat, officer in charge of LRMC’s Inpatient Pharmacy. “While equipment may be about the same, I notice people are very happy to work at LRMC or whatever (military treatment facility) they came from.”

Szabat, a Pittsburgh native, found his calling as a pharmacist after an opportunity in high school to observe a friend’s pharmacist mother at a local hospital. Szabat later realized another passion - to serve in the Army as a pharmacist. After six years of retail pharmacy experience, he felt obligated to serve his country.

“I always had a passion for helping people,” said Szabat. “I saw what [my friend’s mom] did on a day-today basis and it was something that interested me. [It was] a lot of chemistry, learning about medications and how they work in the body.”

One of the greatest joys both Soldiers claimed is improving patients’ quality of life.

“I never thought I’d be helping patients’ lives as a pharmacy tech,” said Martinez. “(Pharmacy operations) are very important because we make the medication that gets them through surgery, we mix the medications used in chemotherapy, and we’re helping cancer patients get to remission. Technicians have to be proficient to ensure patient safety.

“The pharmacy is the last stop for patients, and we make sure to send them home better, and happier,” said Martinez.

TROOP COMMAND Resilience through the holidays

Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Forker Command Sergeant Major Troop Command Landstuhl Regional Medical Center

With the holiday season upon us, many will find comfort in spending time with loved ones, traveling to interesting places, or just hanging out with friends. Whether it is partaking in traditions that coincide with specific holidays or simply the scenery and ambiance associated with them, this season brings an abundance of joy for many. For others, however, the holiday season can be a test of resilience. This season presents individuals with a certain level of adversity of which we as a team, need to be mindful. Being overseas, away from the normalcies many find comfort in, wherever they consider home, can easily depress some individuals. Visiting Family is not as convenient as if you were in the U.S. Getting a homecooked meal and connecting w i t h

7234th continued...

EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE

Graham admits that he rarely held MSU-specific functions, mainly because he did not want to pull his Soldiers from their everyday schedules and their new teams. Apart from birthday celebrations and occasional MSU barbeques, the unit did more with other staff members in their down time. Between weekend trips to Paris, Prague, and Greece – and even a journey to Ireland for a themed tour centered around the hit HBO series, Game of Thrones – the Soldiers were indeed maximizing their time in Europe.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most of us,” said Graham. “I’ve been trying since 1988 to get to Germany, so when I got the call [for the mission to LRMC], I was excited.”

European explorations aside, the unit also had more opportunities to fulfill Soldier requirements and attend specialized schools.

loved ones might not be an option. Your social support system or network might look very different because of where you are at. It really does not matter if you are here with a spouse and kids, or if you are unaccompanied and living in the barracks. Life is a little bit different and can be quite challenging for many.

Financially, this season can tend to cause strife as well. People are traditionally spending more and sometimes living beyond their means. Purchasing gifts, participating in events with associated costs, trying to take a trip here and there just to get out; these all add up and create spending that individuals may or may not have been planning for appropriately. Financial difficulties will often create unhealthy stress for people as well.

Weather in Germany during fall and winter is not known for its warmth and sunshine. With harsher weather, people have a tendency to hunker down and remain indoors. They can easily find themselves bored to tears, often left only with their thoughts. They can find themselves becoming easily frustrated with Family members at home. Individuals can weaken their immune systems or general fitness from remaining dormant. The “gloom” which fills the sky is sometimes enough by itself to damper peoples’ moods.

Taking all of this in, Lt. Col. Buchner and I

“We prepared Soldiers to attend [Basic Leader Course], Air Assault pre-training, and promoted two of our teammates,” said Graham. “To be able to promote a [Reserve Soldier] while on active duty isn’t something that happens all the time and we were really happy to be part of it.”

GOING HOME

Graham said that what he’s most proud of is his team’s work toward process improvement and recognizing the needs of the whole.

“We came here prepared to focus on our mission,” said Graham. “But we learned that we could do more and really support our warfighters by supporting the entire LRMC operation.”

Graham will transfer authority of the DWMMC to Col. Robert McCary, the commander of the inbound 7230th MSU, Nov. 22, and his unit will return to the States at the beginning of

implore each and every one of you to remain cognizant of the challenges this holiday season can place on some of our teammates. While everyone possesses a certain degree of resiliency, we are not created equal in this regard. A person’s level of resilience changes from one to the next. Do your part in checking in on one another. Simply asking someone how they are doing (and really wanting to know) goes a long way. Encourage those in need to seek assistance if necessary; provide personal assistance if able.

Within your teams, sections, departments, or deputy lanes, make time to rally the group and do some type of team building activity. Being respectful of people’s beliefs, celebrate the holiday season, celebrate each other and the hard work you put forth day in and day out, celebrate that for which you have to be thankful. We are proud to call you our teammates and hope for each of you to remain resilient as we press forward the remainder of the year.

“Be Courageous…Dare Greatly!”

December.

“I hope that what we’ve accomplished will serve as just another stepping stone for Col. McCary,” said Graham. “Just as we took what Lt. Col. Marr and her team started to new heights, I know Col. McCary and his team will do the same with what we leave them.”

For several of the Soldiers of the 7234th MSU, getting home in time for the holidays will be the biggest treat. After almost a yearlong mobilization, readjusting to life as a civilian could take more time for some.

“Being at LRMC was a real eye-opener for me, and I’m going to miss it,” said Capt. Louella Buell, a clinical flight coordinator in the DWMMC. “When I’m back home, I only hear about what happens. But being here and experiencing it all firsthand, seeing the injuries [the wounded warriors] come in with, it really makes me appreciate what the Army does for our warfighters.”