Keller pharmacist earns Armywide award

WEST POINT, N.Y. (Dec. 8, 2011) -- Rhonda Hoffman has been an inpatient civilian pharmacist at Keller Army Community for 17 years and on Nov. 2, was honored for her service by receiving the U.S. Army Janet P. Hunter Civilian Pharmacist of the Year Award in Dallas.

"I was really proud and honored to learn I received the award," Hoffman said. "My parents were in Dallas too and they were also very proud. I received so many emails and congratulations."

Hoffman said she is uncomfortable with being the center of attention, but is taking it in stride.

"I couldn't do this job if it weren't for the people I work with every day," she said. "You can't run a city by yourself."

Sometimes pharmacists are seen as people who only count and dispense pills. Although that's part of what they do, pharmacists also form a valuable link between physician and patient.

The pharmacist answers questions about the drugs a patient may be taking, catches and prevents errors--especially if a patient has a reaction to a drug--and monitors the patients' reaction if they are taking other medications.

A typical day for Hoffman begins with going on rounds and picking up pharmacy orders physicians leave for their patients.

"I speak with the nurses and others to find out who was discharged and if any discharge medications were ordered and find out who has been admitted," Hoffman said. "I fill drug orders, fill out intravenous medications and order drugs (that are needed for the hospital), including anesthesia medications for surgery.

"I also am the acting assistant pharmacy chief when she's not here," she said.

Hoffman also worked five years at a Veterans Administration Hospital in Brooklyn. Hoffman said she became interested in pharmacy because her dad is a pharmacist and she used to work in his store as a teenager. After high school, she attended Saint John's University of Pharmacy in Queens, which is where she met her husband.

"My husband didn't stay in pharmacy, he is in the Information Technology field," she said.

Outside of her pharmacy duties, she is also involved in many committees at the hospital.

"I help with the smoking cessation courses here and I'm involved with the Joint Commission on Accreditation," she said. "I really like the job and enjoy informing people about medications and try to help them become responsible about taking their medication correctly. I feel I am the continuity person to help make things run as smooth as possible."

The idea of going beyond her duties comes from the fact there were not many women pharmacists when she first started.

"When I was growing up, females did not go to pharmacy school," she said. "So I always felt I had to continually prove myself. When I started as a pharmacist, people kept telling me they wanted a pharmacist to talk to and wouldn't believe that they were talking to one."

Hoffman is highly regarded among the command at KACH and her co-workers.

"I am very happy for Mrs. Hoffman," Col. Beverly Land, KACH commander, said. "She is well deserving of this award. She routinely puts forth the extra effort to help serve our beneficiaries and staff alike.

"The pharmacy is the leader in the Northern Region and it is a direct reflection of the hard work and caring staff that we have at Keller Hospital," Land added. "Rhonda is the best."

Maj. Leslie Walthall, Department of Pharmacy chief, is the person who nominated Hoffman for the award.

"Mrs. Hoffman was selected over hundreds of Army pharmacists working throughout the United States Army Medical Command," Walthall said. "Mrs. Hoffman has faithfully served the West Point community for over 17 years and is a vital team member of the Keller Healthcare Team.

"She has demonstrated unwavering dedication and loyalty to her patients and other healthcare professionals," she added. "To this we say 'Thank You' to Mrs. Hoffman for a job well done."

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