PHARMACIST SPOTLIGHT: SARAH SORENSEN, PHARMD

For over fifty years, Drilling Pharmacy has been a staple of Sioux City, IA, providing healthcare services to the community and treating each patient as family; because at Drilling, family is integral to the pharmacy business. After graduating from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in 2018, Sarah Sorensen rejoined her father and uncle in Sioux City, making her the third generation to work for the family pharmacy.

Besides being a third-generation pharmacist, Sarah’s career is unique because of the variety of services Drilling pharmacy provides. A few examples of these services include: a strong medication synch program with 1,300 patients enrolled; a free delivery service that routinely delivers over 150 prescriptions a day; and utilizing ScripTalk, an assistive technology for the visually impaired.

Recently, Drilling has implemented the Cardiovascular Practice Transformation Program (CPT), in collaboration with CPESN, which is a longitudinal service that focuses on blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes management. Sarah works closely with patients to educate them on how to properly take their blood pressure, their blood pressure medications, and lifestyle interventions. She then follows up with the patient and collaborates with their primary provider to ensure the best course of therapy. The patient interaction is what Sarah finds the most rewarding, particularly helping confused patients understand their medication regimen.

When asked about the proudest moment of her career thus far, Sarah states it was being part of a pharmacy team that stepped up when the community was in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drilling Pharmacy was able to administer over 10,000 COVID-19 vaccines and break down access barriers by immunizing patients in their homes.

Outside of pharmacy, Sarah enjoys attending Hawkeye sporting events, reading, traveling, and playing sand volleyball. As of late, Sarah and her husband, Eric, are staying busy in their new role as parents. The couple welcomed their daughter, Mia, in June of last year. Sarah makes time to be active in the community she calls home, serving as a Sunday school teacher and administering long-acting injectables for free.

As for the future of pharmacy in Iowa, Sarah envisions more legislation and statewide test-totreat protocols to provide patients greater access to healthcare and more hands-on clinical opportunities, as well as the expansion of the role for technicians. Undoubtedly, the future of Drilling Pharmacy is in good hands with Sarah as she builds upon tradition and continues the family legacy. ■ www.iarx.org/join_renew

Congratulations to Connie Connolly, BS Pharm, BCACP, who was appointed by Governor Reynolds to the Iowa Board of Pharmacy!

Welcome New Members

JANUARY 1-MARCH 31, 2023

CONNECTED

Michelle Brandom

ENGAGED

Andrea Beuthien

Jeremy Faulks

Theresa Kramer

Amanda Mull

Mark Notz

Hannah Thomas

TECHNICIANS

Christine Hare

Lisa Healey

Kennedy Soper

BUSINESS PARTNERS

Ankeny Community Pharmacy

Towncrest Compounding LLC

Towncrest LTC

Cornerstone Apothecary (Marengo)

Cornerstone Apothecary (Belle Plaine)

Congratulations to Lisa Mascardo, PharmD, FASHP, who was recognized through the University of Iowa’s February 2023 Longevity Awards for 25 years of continuous service!

In Memoriam

Congratulations to Jamie Pitlick, PharmD, who was approved for a promotion by Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences!

Congratulations to Laura Knockel, PharmD, BCACP, who won an APhA Merit Award for her poster at the 2023 APhA Annual Meeting and Exposition!

Congratulations to Jessica Nesheim, PharmD, BCPS, who was awarded the Young Alumni Achievement Award from Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences!

Congratulations to Bryce Jackman, RPh, BCNSP, who was recognized as a Fellow of the National Home Infusion Association (NHIA)!

Longtime IPA member and Iowa pharmacist Richard "Dick" Bloemke passed away on February 28, 2023. Dick served patients across the state at Denison Drug Store in Denison, Aageson Drug in Dows, and Kessler Pharmacy in Belmond. After sixteen years, Dick purchased Kessler Pharmacy and renamed it Bloemke Pharmacy, leaving a lasting legacy on his community and the pharmacy profession.