Capt. Adam M. Resnick, PharmD works as the Division Pharmacist for the 3rd Infantry Division Task Force Marne.
My first deployment to Iraq has been an eye-opening experience, both professionally and personally. As a division pharmacist I oversee the aid stations pharmaceutical operations and ensure medications are properly dispensed. In each province there is only one pharmacy technician per brigade with medics that assist in performing much of the pharmacy tasks. A pharmacy in the U.S. would typically have at least two pharmacy technicians and a pharmacist working in the pharmacy.
Even though medics are well trained and work under the direct supervision of a health care provider, they are lackingspecifc skills in pharmacy operations. Due to these circumstances, it was decided I would teach classes in order to give medics the tools needed to run a pharmacy.
I went to sites across northern Iraq teaching medics how to run a pharmacy. It was so much fun teaching and instilling my passion for pharmacy to these young minds! My wife works as an elementary school teacher in Germany. She would come home some days beaming from having such a good day with her students — I never understood it, until now.
Capt. Adam M. Resnick. Photo courtesy of Task Force Marne
The knowledge I have instilled in these medics will help contribute to the overall mission in Iraq and ensure high quality health care is being provided for soldiers.
I was really touched last month when I went to the 1-30 and 1-64 infantry battalion aid stations. When I saw all the ideas they put into their pharmacies just because of my class I was truly inspired.
The medics at 1-30 infantry battalion put in a walk-up window to the outside for over-the-counter medications, like Tylenol, for patient convenience so they won’t crowd the aid station. At the 1-64 infantry battalion soldiers would quiz each other on information that came from my course. That’s when I knew how dedicated they were to making sure they knew their medications.
Now I understand that fulfilling smile on my wife’s face when she sees a student go away with something she taught. I never thought I would teach medics how to run a pharmacy, but I am glad this deployment has given me the opportunity.
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