The people who make up the Parkview Health family are as diverse and impressive as the patients we serve. To illustrate this point, we interviewed Brenda Armentrout, pharmacy manager, Parkview LaGrange Hospital. Brenda spends her work hours monitoring and educating others about the powerful effects of medications, but as soon as she leaves, she fosters an impressive collection of hobbies, including karate, mountain climbing and fly fishing.
With a powerful vision for the future of healthcare (including the potential for food as medicine), and a fierce dedication to her extracurricular activities, Brenda is just one of the surprising, methodical, inspiring People of Parkview.
Name: Brenda Armentrout
Official title: Community Hospital Pharmacy Manager
Describe your education and career journey:
- Butler University (1972-1977)
- The Ohio State University (1977-1979) with residency program through the University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy at the Cleveland Clinic
- St. Joseph Hospital Ft. Wayne
- Kindred Healthcare
- Parkview Hospital LaGrange (1998 to present)
What inspired you to pursue this profession/specialty?
I have three different answers: 1) I always thought I’d become a concert pianist like my mother, but she convinced me otherwise. 2) I’ve always wanted to make a difference in the lives of others while satisfying a desire for lifelong learning. And 3) my usual answer to this question though is: I’m fascinated by drugs and chemical reactions. (I made nitroglycerin as my honors chemistry project in high school.)
What are your daily responsibilities?
I provide pharmaceutical care services to our patients, including oversight, monitoring, preparation, dispensing and proper documentation of patient medication therapy, as well as advising physicians on matters pertaining to drug usage and control. We also provide drug information, patient information and oversight of information. I ensure compliance to all Federal, State and local laws and regulations as well as compliance with regulatory agencies affecting the pharmacy.
What are some of the unique challenges of your position?
Inter-professional relationships and education for nurses, physicians and patients.
The most rewarding?
Positive outcomes from our contacts (medication therapy management and education) with our patients, physicians, nurses and other co-workers.
What is your greatest passions outside of work?
Family, karate, church, music/singing, fly fishing, wine making and downhill skiing.
.jpg)
How did you get involved with those activities and how long have you been doing them?
Well, I got involved with karate after the birth of my son (who just happens to be an anesthesiologist starting with Parkview in August). I started for weight loss, but it has developed into a life choice.
And anything related to music began when my mother was practicing. I either sat under the piano or on the piano bench with her. I also attended choir practices with my father. We were quite a musical family.
You have a lot of hobbies. How do you achieve work/life balance?
They are just a part of my life. However, I have to say that I work with a great team of pharmacy technicians and pharmacists—not to mention the other departments–so I don’t have to worry when I am away from the hospital.
What excites you about the future?
The Crisper and Pharmacogenomics!
If you could tell people to read one book in their lifetime, which would it be and why?
The Bible. I know it is made up of a lot of books, but it is the No. 1 book in my life. If I have to pick a second choice, I would say, “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy”.
What would we find on your bucket list and what do you plan to check off next?
I want to walk on the Sky Walk above the Grand Canyon. I’d like to create the largest glycerin and soap bubble in the world (maybe a family reunion project).
