Modern-day prescriptions typically include an “Rx.” This symbol may come from “recipe,” the Latin word for “take,” or the ancient Egyptian Eye of Horus symbol, associated with healing powers.
Pharmacists have been crucial to healing efforts over the centuries as they work with providers and patients to ensure safe and effective treatments. In the health system, pharmacists can play a central role in leading safe and effective use of medications, and advancing patient care.
Recently, the Indiana Society of Health-System Pharmacists recognized Derek Fields, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, and Jennifer Reiter, PharmD, MBA, for their efforts to advance the field while improving patient lives.
Derek Fields
Fields is the IU Health South Central Region Regional Executive Director for clinical operations and received fellow status from the Indiana Society of Health-System Pharmacists. This recognition is given to pharmacists who demonstrate “an outstanding commitment to the practice of pharmacy in the hospital setting.
“It’s certainly a personal award and recognition, but all the achievements I’ve had as a leader in pharmacy have been through the amazing pharmacy team members I’ve had the pleasure to lead,” says Fields. “Pharmacists and technicians—It’s a collaboration.”
Licensed in 2004, Fields went into pharmacy leadership early in his career and has guided many pharmacists and technicians into being the best they can be.
“Fields is always trying to get the best out of everyone,” says Reiter. “He believes in you when you may not believe in yourself and helps put people in the position to succeed.”
Jennifer Reiter
Reiter knows the importance of supporting others as the IU Health Southern Indiana Physicians Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Manager. She credits Fields for helping her career development over the ten years he was her boss.
As a leader herself, Reiter has helped design practices to take better care of patients and is active in trying to improve healthcare and pharmacy. Both areas of interest tie in directly to the IU Health goal of making Indiana a healthier state.
Reiter says, “You always have to be willing to be part of the change. You don’t have to settle for the way things are. You have a role in making healthcare and pharmacy better. You have to be involved.”
These efforts and more are why Reiter was given the “Glen Sperandio Award for Excellence in Health-System Pharmacist Practice” for outstanding excellence in health-system pharmacy practice.
Please help the team congratulate Fields and Reiter in the comment section below.