Transformed U.S. Army pharmacy readiness training course enhances force sustainment for future combat operations

By Lt. Col. Sherry Kwon, Deputy Chief, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacy BranchMay 15, 2023

During a field hospital practical exercise, Capt Jin Nam Ahn, a pharmacy officer from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, prioritizes and checks medication orders in the outpatient pharmacy for distribution to patients discharging from the intermediate care ward. A pharmacist check ensures patient safety and compliance with regulations that govern medication dispensing. (Courtesy photo).
1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – During a field hospital practical exercise, Capt Jin Nam Ahn, a pharmacy officer from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, prioritizes and checks medication orders in the outpatient pharmacy for distribution to patients discharging from the intermediate care ward. A pharmacist check ensures patient safety and compliance with regulations that govern medication dispensing. (Courtesy photo). (Photo Credit: Courtesy) VIEW ORIGINAL
Capt Lauren Kaminski of Evans Army Community Hospital, Fort Carson and Staff Sergeant Rosalinda Bermea-Arriaga from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii log controlled substance medications into an inventory log in the pharmacy at the training field hospital at Camp Bullis, TX. Proper management of controlled substances is vital to the safety, security, and legal compliance of our forces. (Courtesy photo).
2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt Lauren Kaminski of Evans Army Community Hospital, Fort Carson and Staff Sergeant Rosalinda Bermea-Arriaga from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii log controlled substance medications into an inventory log in the pharmacy at the training field hospital at Camp Bullis, TX. Proper management of controlled substances is vital to the safety, security, and legal compliance of our forces. (Courtesy photo). (Photo Credit: Courtesy) VIEW ORIGINAL
Small groups of officers and NCOs review the sustainment annex of an operations order early in the course to determine pharmacy requirements in preparation for deployment. This activity ensures appropriate and sufficient resourcing to support any type of field casualty event.
People from L to R: Sergeant Elizabeth Hunt (Pharmacy NCO, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, Fort Campbell, KY), Capt Ji Yoon Kim (Pharmacy OIC, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD), Capt Alexandra Castro (Pharmacy OIC, Martin Army Community Hospital, Fort Benning, GA), Sergeant Elijah Barrett (Pharmacy NCO, Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital, Fort Polk, LA). (Courtesy photo).
3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Small groups of officers and NCOs review the sustainment annex of an operations order early in the course to determine pharmacy requirements in preparation for deployment. This activity ensures appropriate and sufficient resourcing to support any type of field casualty event.
People from L to R: Sergeant Elizabeth Hunt (Pharmacy NCO, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, Fort Campbell, KY), Capt Ji Yoon Kim (Pharmacy OIC, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD), Capt Alexandra Castro (Pharmacy OIC, Martin Army Community Hospital, Fort Benning, GA), Sergeant Elijah Barrett (Pharmacy NCO, Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital, Fort Polk, LA). (Courtesy photo). (Photo Credit: Courtesy)
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Sergeant Rachell Martinez-Juarez prepares an intravenous medication using aseptic technique for sterile compounding at the training field hospital in Camp Bullis, TX. Inpatient pharmacy tasks and skills are vital to timely and safe delivery of intravenous medications to critically ill patients in the battlefield. (Courtesy photo).
4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sergeant Rachell Martinez-Juarez prepares an intravenous medication using aseptic technique for sterile compounding at the training field hospital in Camp Bullis, TX. Inpatient pharmacy tasks and skills are vital to timely and safe delivery of intravenous medications to critically ill patients in the battlefield. (Courtesy photo). (Photo Credit: Courtesy) VIEW ORIGINAL
22 students and 18 instructors participated in the 2023 Pharmacy Operations Course from April 20-24 at Camp Bullis, TX to prepare for deployment readiness. The course focused on deliberate medical planning, logistics and facilities coordination, and proficiency in critical skills to ensure a capable and ready support force. (Courtesy photo).
5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 22 students and 18 instructors participated in the 2023 Pharmacy Operations Course from April 20-24 at Camp Bullis, TX to prepare for deployment readiness. The course focused on deliberate medical planning, logistics and facilities coordination, and proficiency in critical skills to ensure a capable and ready support force. (Courtesy photo). (Photo Credit: Courtesy) VIEW ORIGINAL
Capt Daon Kim, a pharmacy officer from Moncrief Army Community Hospital, Fort Jackson, fills an oral medication for a patient in the intermediate care ward. Depending on manpower, which is often limited, either a pharmacist or pharmacy specialist will fill and prepare medications. The medication must ultimately be checked by a pharmacist for safety and appropriateness. (Courtesy photo).
6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt Daon Kim, a pharmacy officer from Moncrief Army Community Hospital, Fort Jackson, fills an oral medication for a patient in the intermediate care ward. Depending on manpower, which is often limited, either a pharmacist or pharmacy specialist will fill and prepare medications. The medication must ultimately be checked by a pharmacist for safety and appropriateness. (Courtesy photo). (Photo Credit: Courtesy) VIEW ORIGINAL

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO CAMP BULLIS, TEXAS – Twenty two U.S. Army pharmacists and pharmacy specialists from across the country traveled to Camp Bullis this week to participate in a 40-hour deployment readiness course hosted by the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence (MEDCoE). The Pharmacy Operations Course is designed to prepare personnel to provide efficient and effective pharmaceutical support to the sustainment mission of a military operation in an austere, multi-domain, large scale operating environment. The enduring objective of this training event was to enhance individual and collective readiness along with increased support capabilities that will conserve the fighting strength.

The top leader of pharmacy services and the 20th Medical Service Corps Chief, Maj. Gen. Michael Talley, kicked off the course by reminding participants of their vital role in “understanding key missions such as drug supply, medication safety, and trauma medication support…[to] be an enabler towards the sustainment mission.” “You are the key to success,” said Talley. He also serves as the MEDCoE Commanding General.

During the course, participants followed a notional deployment scenario beginning with pre-deployment exercises and medical planning considerations that led to field hospital pharmacy set up and a culminating exercise involving trauma and mass casualties. Contrary to the training and experience received at military treatment facilities stateside, participants were challenged to adapt to an austere environment. This includes determining mitigating factors to ensure sterile compounds prepared in an environment without engineering controls have an appropriate beyond use date.

“This course gave me the knowledge I need to carry out pharmacy operations in a deployed environment,” said Staff Sgt. Rosalinda Bermea Arriaga of Desmond T. Doss Health Clinic, Schofield Barracks, HI. “It was important to me to develop my confidence as a pharmacy technician and to carry out tasks that are important to the support of our troops.”

“This course provided me with the big picture of why we wear this uniform,” said Capt. Lauren Kaminski of Evans Army Community Hospital at Fort Carson, CO. “Specifically, the lessons on tactical combat casualty care resonated with me in regards to how important Army Pharmacy is to the success of our missions and saving lives down range.”

“I kept reflecting back on specific scenarios…and imagining what I could have done differently,” said Capt. Ji Yoon Kim of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. “I felt that this course was a gentle reminder to always keep a Soldier-first mentality and to stay open minded for continuous development.”

Sergeant Elijah Barrett of Bayne Jones Army Community Hospital, Fort Polk, LA said the course “helped me find a new pride in being a pharmacy technician. We really save lives in critical moments, and I want to be a part of something like that!”

Army Pharmacy has a distinct mission that reaches all levels of care from point of injury to definitive care. With increased emphasis on sets and repetitions on inpatient pharmacy, supply chain, and critical care tasks, the force will increase its capability and capacity to provide sustainment support in the next operation. Adaptability, communication, and teamwork will be central to this effort. The U.S. Army Pharmacy Readiness Program plans to expand opportunities for the Pharmacy Operations Course beyond its annual availability and limitation to active duty personnel which will support the greater joint and unified mission.

To learn more about opportunities in Army pharmacy visit Go Army.com at https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/career-match/science-medicine/physical-mental-health/67e-pharmacist.html