More than 2 Million Medication Doses a Year: The Pharmacy Team Behind Patient Care at Cook Children's

Every day across Cook Children's, pharmacy professionals play a critical role in helping ensure children receive the right medication, at the right dose, at the right time.

Collectively, Cook Children's pharmacy teams dispense more than 2 million medication doses each year. Many of those medications are individually prepared to meet the unique needs of pediatric patients, requiring specialized expertise, precision and coordination across the health system.

Supporting that work are more than 200 clinical pharmacists, staff pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who serve patients and families throughout Cook Children's hospitals, clinics and retail pharmacies. While medication dispensing is one of the most visible aspects of pharmacy services, their responsibilities extend far beyond filling prescriptions.

Pharmacy teams manage medication procurement, sterile and non-sterile compounding, medication preparation and dispensing, medication history collection and reconciliation, patient and family education, medication safety initiatives and bedside medication delivery through the Meds-to-Beds program. They also serve as key members of multidisciplinary care teams, collaborating with physicians, nurses and other clinical professionals to optimize treatment plans and improve patient outcomes.

From answering medication questions to helping prevent adverse drug events, pharmacy professionals are involved at nearly every stage of the patient journey. Clinical pharmacists provide specialized expertise that supports safe and effective medication use, while pharmacy technicians help ensure medications are procured, prepared and delivered accurately when and where they are needed.

Their work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt throughout the organization and by the children and families who depend on Cook Children's every day.

As Cook Children's recognizes National Pharmacy Week, Oct. 18-24, we celebrate the pharmacy professionals whose knowledge, dedication and commitment to medication safety help advance our Promise to do everything for the patient.

To all of our pharmacy team members, thank you for the extraordinary care you provide and the vital role you play in serving children and families across our health system.