Jeannine Delemare is retiring after working at Wagga Base Hospital Pharmacy for 45 years. Photo: Murrumbidgee Local Health District.
A Wagga pharmacist has prescribed herself a well-deserved break after serving the community for 45 years.
Jeannine Delemare is retiring after starting work at Wagga Base Hospital Pharmacy as a Sydney University graduate following a move to Wagga in 1977.
Jeannine, who became the chief pharmacist in 2005, knows all too well that to be a great pharmacist one needs compassion and empathy.
“You thrive in a team environment and have a thirst for knowledge,” she said.
“You need to have that desire to get it right – that ‘dog with a bone’ attitude to follow it right through.
“You also need to be suspicious and have the confidence to question when there is something that might not look right.”
Jeannine said her hospital team was like a family.
“It can be a hard gig, but it’s made easier by having a wonderful team who go out of their way to support each other,” she said.
“We have a lot of laughs.”
Jeannine has been part and parcel of many changes to the hospital pharmacy over the years.
She said the changes kept things fresh, and she loved to learn.
When she started work at the hospital, it was just a supply pharmacy but later became a clinical pharmacy under the helm of David Kennedy.
“This meant that we were more involved with the patients, their medication histories and care,” she said.
When computers were introduced in the 1980s, Jeannine said Mr Kennedy went to great lengths to encourage the transition by hiding the prescription books, so the staff were forced to use the computer.
Jeannine said one of the best changes made to the pharmacy and patient care was when eMeds (electronic medication management system) was implemented in 2018.
eMeds is used by doctors, nurses and pharmacists to prescribe, order, check, dispense and record the administration of medications.
“It has really improved patient care and safety,” Jeannine said.
Jeannine with her team at Wagga Base Hospital Pharmacy. Photo: Murrumbidgee Local Health District.
The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine meant Jeannine’s retirement plans had to be shelved.
“While others were putting their travel plans on hold, I was back at work travelling around the beautiful Murrumbidgee region as part of the vaccination outreach teams,” Jeannine said.
“I had a lovely time! I met so many people and got to travel all around the district.”
One of Jeannine’s proudest moments while working was when she handed the reins as chief pharmacist to Cindy Patterson in 2018.
“Cindy always had the passion and ambition to become chief pharmacist,” Jeannine said.
“I wouldn’t have stayed as long – or come back – if it hadn’t been for her.
“She started with me as an intern in 2004 – so it’s been the longest handover in history!”
Cindy said the team would miss working with Jeannine as she cared about everyone.
”You can go to her for advice about anything,” Cindy said.
Jeannine’s retirement plans include spending time with her family, volunteer work and relaxing on her acreage.
Her daughters have followed in her footsteps in the medical field.
“My girls grew up around the pharmacy. One is now working in pathology and the other is studying pharmacy,” Jeannine said.
Despite having no firm plans, she has made one promise to herself.
“I will never be the person who says they don’t know how they had time to work!”
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