(From left to right:)
Audrey Jiron, CPhT
Tammy Johnstone, Pharm D
John Trujillo, CPhT
Gina O’Hara, Pharm D
Tamara Brown, Pharm D

Not pictured:
Leslie Ingham, Pharm D
Kathryn Patrick, Pharm D
Rindy McKenney, CPhT
Theresa Trujillo, CPhT
Michelle Janati-Ataei, CPhT

Per Diem Pharmacy Staff:
Jim Hughes, RPh
Matt Borrego, RPh
Kim Boberschmidt, Pharm D
Melinda Montoya, CPhT

Titles:
CPhT: Certified Pharmacy Tech
Pharm D: Doctor of Pharmacy
RPh: Registered Pharmacist

Today’s medications are powerful and complex agents that should be used carefully to ensure a faster recovery and better health. During your stay at Holy Cross Hospital, the Pharmacy staff is here to make sure that you receive the best and safest medications. Our Pharmacy Team is made up of five full time Doctors of Pharmacy with over 70 years of combined hospital pharmacy experience and five full time highly trained Certified Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacists in hospitals do more than fill prescriptions. Pharmacists are experts on the thousands of medications available today, how each one works in the body and the ways to use each one safely and effectively. Pharmacists advise doctors and nurses on the best medications to treat your condition. They monitor every patient’s medication therapy and provide quality checks to detect and prevent harmful drug interactions, reactions or mistakes.

The Hospital’s pharmacists are also available to talk to you about your medications. They can help you understand the appropriate use and intended outcome of your medicine, as well as any possible reactions and side effects. You can also talk to your pharmacist about how to store and take your medication, what foods or activities to avoid, and what to do if you miss a dose.

Here are some tips from the Pharmacy Department on safe medication use while you are in the Hospital:

• Bring a list of the prescribed drugs, over-the-counter medications, home remedies, and nutritional supplements that you are currently taking and show it to the health professional(s) managing your care.
• Bring a list of medications that you cannot take (due to allergic reactions, etc). Give the reasons why, and show it to the health professional(s) managing your care.
• When admitted, ask how to contact the on-site Pharmacist.
• Ask the names of the medications that you are receiving during your hospital or health-system visit.
• Question anything about your medications that you do not understand or that does not seem right. Be especially alert to unexpected changes, such as a change in the appearance of your medication.
• Ask your health-system pharmacist if you have any questions about the treatments or medications, you receive.
• If you are too ill to follow these suggestions, ask a friend or relative to help.