Leader of Kirtland’s pharmacy lands prestigious award

  • Published
  • By Kendahl Johnson
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Kirtland's pharmacy is in good hands.

Lt. Col. Derek Larbie, flight commander of the 377th Medical Group's pharmacy, received the American Hospital Association's 2013 Federal Health Care Executive Special Achievement Award. The award recognizes uniformed and non-uniformed federal health care leaders who have distinguished themselves through significant achievements and leadership, or innovative achievements that have contributed substantially to the mission of the federal health system.

"I feel very honored to have been selected as the winner of this award," Larbie said. "It is definitely one of the greatest achievements in my Air Force career."

Larbie's leadership resulted in a patient-centered, efficient community-based pharmacy that improves the welfare of military members and their families. Specifically, he identified systemic issues and disconnects, and led a corrective action plan that created a more efficient process for filling prescriptions safely. The change helped decrease dispensing time by 79 percent for patients.

"As leaders, we are responsible for making right decisions and judgments on behalf of the Air Force at all times--in particular when it comes to patient safety, customer service, and efficient operations in military treatment facilities," he said. "I am proud to be able to empower a highly motivated and professional pharmacy team to uphold the wing's mission and provide world-class customer service to our beneficiaries."

As pharmacy flight commander, Larbie leads a staff of 40 military, civilian and contract pharmacists, technicians, and volunteers operating two pharmacies out of the base's medical clinic located adjacent to the Veterans Administration Medical Health Center. Combined, the pharmacies serve more than 40,000 patients, filling over 20,000 prescriptions per month for both active duty members, retired veterans and their families.

Larbie said he is grateful for the support of group leadership, especially that of his supervisor, Lt. Col. Alisha Smith, commander of the 377th Medical Support Squadron.