MacDill Pharmacy: Providing a medical ready force

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lauren Cobin
  • 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

Serving approximately 525,000 prescriptions to more than 241,000 beneficiaries annually can be a tough and stressful job.

“People who come to the pharmacy don’t want to be here,” said Senior Airman Aisha Jennings, 6th Medical Support Squadron pharmacy technician. “They are here because they’re sick and I want to make their experience as smooth as possible to help them feel better.”

Providing Airmen with proper healthcare doesn’t stop once they leave the doctor’s office and Team MacDill’s corps of dedicated pharmacists and technicians ensure the Air Force’s priorities of a ready medical force and a medically ready force.

“Here, we are able to take the time to care for our patients and go above and beyond to provide the medical services that they need,” said Jennings.

Pharmacy Week, celebrated the third full week in October, acknowledges the invaluable contributions that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians make to patient care.

These medication experts help maximize positive health outcomes and improve the quality of their patients’ lives through patient counseling and careful quality control.

MacDill’s 6th MDSS enables the combat capability of the 6th Air Refueling Wing, U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command and 31 partner units and serves the largest single catchment area in the Department of Defense.

The pharmacy, comprised of 26 service members and 21 civilian contractors, is responsible for filling, on average, 40,000 prescriptions per month.

“We have special training for our technicians teaching them how to verify medications,” said Zirnita Mallory, 6th MDSS pharmacy supervisor. “There are all types of errors that can happen, and we have to make sure it’s the right person, right drug and right dose. It requires a lot of attention to detail.”

For member of the 6th MDSS pharmacy staff, quick care is most effective with incredible customer service and their pharmacists and technicians embody what it means to put service before self.

 “I just love the way that we try to make everybody feel like a family,” said Mallory.

Jennings explained that she finds way to go the extra mile in all aspects of her life.

“I just love helping people! Whether I am at work, or in my personal life, it makes me feel good inside, and that’s why I come to work every day,” said Jennings. “Even just a simple thank you means a lot for me.”