Each month we will share stories of team members at HHCC; their history with the hospital and the transformative work they do every day to strengthen our culture and community. This month we celebrate Patty, Pharmacy Technician.
Growing up in Melancthon Township which is located at the top end of Dufferin County, HHCC has always been Patty’s community hospital.
“The key word for HHCC is community. The people who have worked here and still do, live(d) here too,” said Patty.
Patty graduated from Humber College with a Pharmacy Assistant Certificate in 1995, bridging to become a candidate for registration through Sheridan College. She had a successful result with the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada and has been registered with the Ontario College of Pharmacists since June 2013.
Patty joined the HHCC team in 1995 as a temporary contract Pharmacy Clerk.
In 1999 Patty started a part-time position and then transitioned to a full-time Pharmacy Technician in 2002.
Over the past 21 years, Patty has supported our Foundation in 50/50 draws, hockey tournaments, butter tart sales and the gala. Patty is also the proud two-time recipient of our Fire Starter Award for her invaluable contributions to our hospital.
The most memorable moment for Patty was when she was able to help a toddler who had consumed tire rim cleaner in his family home garage. The child was brought in by ambulance and police.
“I took photos of the label and tried to find out the contents of what the child consumed. I contacted the emergency contact number on the MSD Sheet that I was able to pull off the intranet as poison control did not have the product listed in their database. I was able to contact a representative in the US and that company was able to put me in touch with the owner of the product in the Netherlands for the ER Physician. We learned that the product contained only GBL (gamma butyrolactone) that was discontinued in 2012 and had been banned for sale in Canada before that. This information was copied and sent with the product to SickKids,” recalled Patty.
The Pharmacy Department has grown a lot over the years. The dynamic team touches every single patient in the hospital.
“If it wasn’t for us, even a simple Tylenol couldn’t be given to a patient,” said Patty.
We are grateful for your dedication Patty and passion for sharing your love of our hospital with co-workers and the community.
Photo caption: Patty celebrating #therealheroes campaign.