Recognizing the Dedicated Pharmacy Team at Royal Columbian Hospital

Behind every prescription at Royal Columbian Hospital (RCH) is a dedicated team of pharmacy professionals focused on ensuring patient safety and optimal care. This Pharmacy Appreciation Month, we recognize the pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and assistants who play a crucial role in RCH’s daily operations.

“Our Pharmacy team plays an important role in patient care,” says RCH pharmacists Brandon Tong and Lillian Lo, both part of the Pharmacy Appreciation Month committee. “We collaborate with the care team to optimize medication therapy, perform Best Possible Medication Histories (BPMHs) to ensure accurate and thorough medication histories, and review medication orders in the dispensary for safety. Our pharmacy technicians and assistants are essential in preparing and distributing medications, managing inventory, and even compounding specialized treatments like chemotherapy and total parenteral nutrition (TPNs).”

At RCH, pharmacy services extend far beyond dispensing medications. With 160 dedicated staff members, the pharmacy team provides care and service across multiple areas of the hospital. Clinical pharmacy specialists and clinical pharmacists provide direct patient care in Trauma/ED, ICU, CTU/medicine, NICU/pediatrics, surgery, and cardiology. The pharmacy team also verifies over 2,500 medication orders daily, compounds more than 140 parenteral products, and ensures Omnicell cabinets across the hospital’s clinical areas remain stocked and ready.

“What we love most about being a pharmacist here is solving problems and collaborating with a great team,” Tong and Lo add. “Every day brings new challenges, and it’s awesome to work together to find the best solutions for our patients. The best part is knowing our efforts make a real difference in their care!”

From time to time, the department offers pharmacy tours to colleagues across the hospital, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the medication process from prescription to delivery. These tours highlight the teamwork and precision required to support patient care at RCH.

“We are very proud of the work we do for all of our patients,” says Phuong Hoang, RCH’s Pharmacy Distribution Coordinator. “From verifying thousands of medication orders daily to providing direct pharmaceutical care to inpatients, our team is committed to delivering safe and effective treatments to those who need them most,” says Tim Leung, RCH’s Pharmacy Clinical Coordinator.

The foundation extends its gratitude to the pharmacy professionals at RCH for their dedication, expertise, and behind-the-scenes efforts that help improve patient care every day.