Beaumont Soldier honored as Army's top pharmacy tech

By Ms. Julia A Yubeta (Army Medicine)January 30, 2015

Beaumont Soldier honored as Army's top pharmacy tech
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Beaumont Soldier honored as Army's top pharmacy tech
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – DSC 5140 -- Pfc. Joshua Glover, a pharmacy technician at William Beaumont Army Medical Center checks for the proper medication in the outpatient pharmacy. Glover was awarded the Department of the Army Larry C. Nesmith Enlisted Pharmacy Technician aw... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Pfc. Joshua Glover, a Fort Myers, Florida native and a pharmacy technician at William Beaumont Army Medical Center, was presented the award at a brigade awards ceremony held Dec. 19 at WBAMC.

Glover was recognized for his job performance as an outpatient pharmacy technician and an alternate vault technician at WBAMC. He arrived at the medical center in April 2014 and made an immediate impact on the pharmacy department.

"He is a real go-getter," said Sgt. Ronilo Uydingco, noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the outpatient pharmacy. "Glover consistently puts mission first, even in the face of 10 hour plus days."

Uydingco added that Glover is a quick learner and is efficiently mastering all aspects of his military occupational skill.

At WBAMC, Glover's first duty assignment, he has served as the front line window technician, as well as the alternate vault technician and back-up supply technician for the outpatient pharmacy. His efforts have resulted in decreased medication errors, an 80 percent reduction in automated medication storage system non-compliance, as well as increased staff accountability and staff training.

Glover also developed guidelines for a discharge process that expedites inpatients transition to outpatient care with less than a three-minute transaction time. As the alternate vault technician, he ensured that all discrepancies, if any, were resolved quickly.

Glover repositioned medications in a renovated vault and conducted a successful 100 percent inventory to ensure proper accountability. He further worked with supervisory staff to streamline the medication locations in order to make inventory easier for future vault technicians.

"It takes a special technician to be a vault technician," Uydingco said. "Vault technicians must be meticulous, paying strict attention to detail."

"Pfc. Glover is definitely a hard charger that takes initiative in his leadership role," said Capt. Obinna Alu, chief, outpatient pharmacy. "He fully understands the concept of mission first."

Staff Sgt. John Bonvini, noncommissioned officer-in charge, Department of Pharmacy, echoed Alu's sentiments. "Glover just inspires everyone around him," Bonvini said. "He consistently challenges the pharmacy staff to do their best and leads by example in both word and deed."

Glover felt honored to receive the recognition and is looking forward to an extended career in the Army as a pharmacy technician.

"Having been raised 'old school' has helped me to adapt as a Soldier," Glover said. "When my parents told me to do something, I just did it without question."

Glover added that he liked everything about the Army and gives great credit to mentorship by his department NCOs.

Next goals for Glover include attending the Warrior Leader Course and getting in great shape to earn the coveted Air Assault Badge.