KAHC Soldier brings home Larry C. Nesmith Technician Award

By Lesley AtkinsonNovember 15, 2019

KAHC Soldier brings home Larry C. Nesmith Technician Award
Spc. Elexis Mitchell, Kenner Army Health Clinic pharmacy technician, holds her Larry C. Nesmith Enlisted Technician Award she received Oct. 30, as Linda Hamilton, pharmacy supervisor, and Maj. Edward Osei, chief of Pharmacy, stand by her during the 2... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Spc. Elexis Mitchell, Kenner Army Health Clinic pharmacy technician, received the Larry C. Nesmith Enlisted Technician Award Oct. 30 during the 2019 Joint Forces Pharmacy Seminar in Dallas, Texas.

The Nesmith is an annual Army-level award presented to a Soldier who goes above and beyond their duties and responsibilities as a pharmacy technician. To earn this award, recipients must possess above-average technical skills, motivation, initiative and a winning attitude to succeed in an evolving and challenging pharmacy environment. The Soldier also must be nominated for the award by their NCO or a supervisor.

"I have had my fair share of Soldiers straight from Advance Individual Training, and they have all done well, but Spc. Mitchell's maturity and intellect has far out shown any other Soldier I have had in my 10 years of service," said Staff Sgt. Rudee Herrera, Pharmacy noncommissioned officer in charge.

"Despite the 80-plus hours a week we work at Kenner, Spc. Mitchell was still able to recently complete her degree in Health Science. I don't think most quite understand the labor that we put in on a daily basis," Herrera added.

Mitchell joined the Army in 2016, and Kenner is her first assignment. Since being at Kenner, Mitchell has had many notable accomplishments and strives to be the best Soldier and Pharmacy Technician. In just a little more than three years, she has managed more than 23 civilians and three Soldiers across three clinics, her supervisor noted.

Herrera also mentioned that on a monthly basis Spc. Mitchell takes care of more than 350 patients while filling over 600 prescriptions.

"Receiving this award was an amazing opportunity, and I am extremely grateful that my NCOIC Staff Sgt. Herrera and Maj. Edward Osei, KAHC pharmacy chief, submitted me for it," said Mitchell. "They push me to not only be the best Soldier I can be but also the best pharmacy technician as well."

The specialist does not plan to slow down as she wants to attend Air Assault School, get her Pharmacy Technician Certification and become a sergeant. Her long-term goals are to re-enlist, become a Drill Sergeant and an instructor for the 68Q Pharmacy Specialist course.