Olson Recognized as Pharmacy Technician of the Year

  • July 30, 2020
Pharmacy Technician Sandy Olson
Pharmacy Technician Sandy Olson

Sandy Olson was recognized as the South Dakota Society of Health-System Pharmacists (SDSHP) 2019 Technician of the Year. Due to the cancellation of the 2020 SDSHP annual conference, Olson will be formally recognized at the next SDSHP annual conference.

The technician of the year award is given to an individual in recognition of outstanding performance or achievement, including service to the health system pharmacy profession, contributions to pharmacy programs, cooperation with health care teams and service to the community.

Olson has worked at Brookings Health System as a certified pharmacy technician for over 30 years and is registered with the South Dakota Board of Pharmacy. In this role she provides technical support to Brookings Hospital pharmacists, including compounding, packaging and preparation of medications for hospital patients as well as proper management and storage of medications.

“Sandy has been instrumental in identifying, implementing and supporting change for our organization,” said Pharmacy Director Steve Timmerman. “Her experience allows her to work independently and calmly handle any situation that arises. She identifies priorities, anticipates pharmacists’ requests and can always be counted on to pitch in. She is dedicated to her patients, respected by her co-workers, and passionate about student learning.”

In addition to her work at Brookings Health, Olson has helped teach the pharmacy practice skills lab at the SDSU College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions since 2013. In this role, Olson educates second year pharmacy students each spring on sterile product preparation and proper aseptic technique. Her instruction has helped to train over 500 future pharmacists.

Brookings Health System’s pharmacy team works closely with other healthcare providers to ensure patient medications are used safely and effectively. More information can be found at brookingshealth.org/Pharmacy.

About Brookings Health System

Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, the 79-bed The Neighborhoods at Brookview nursing home, Brookhaven Estates senior living apartments, Yorkshire Eye Clinic & Optical, and medical clinics in Arlington, White and Volga, South Dakota. It is a non-profit, city-owned facility that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, emergency and extended care services. Brookings Hospital provides local access to doctors in Brookings and offers robotic da Vinci surgery and Mako robotic-arm assisted procedures, making it one of the premier rural community hospitals in South Dakota. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit us on the Web at brookingshealth.org.