Behind the Scenes in Pharmacy: How Donor Support Helps Deliver Safe Medication at GBGH
Every patient who receives care at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) relies on medications — and a dedicated team working behind the scenes to ensure those medications are prepared safely and accurately. For Jacquie Belcourt, Manager of Pharmacy at GBGH, that responsibility has been the focus of her career for more than two decades.
Jacquie Belcourt has worked in the GBGH Pharmacy for 21 years, including the past 20 as manager. Alongside a team of pharmacists and registered pharmacy technicians, she helps ensure medications are prepared, verified, and delivered safely for patients across the hospital.
“Our work distributing medications touches every patient who comes through GBGH,” Jacquie explains.
From preparing oral medications to sterile compounds for injection, the pharmacy team plays a critical role in safe, effective care. When patients are admitted, registered pharmacy technicians meet with them to document the medications they take at home. That information helps physicians and nurse practitioners create safe and accurate treatment plans.
“I’m proud to be part of a team that plays such a critical role in patient care,” Jacquie says.
Supporting Patients When It Matters Most
While much of the pharmacy team’s work happens behind the scenes, its impact is deeply felt by patients and families.
Jacquie recalls one patient whose pain was difficult to manage, even using a patient-controlled analgesia pump. A pharmacist worked closely with the patient, their family, and the care team to modify medications and dosages to improve comfort — even coming in on their day off to ensure the patient felt supported.
“Knowing that our teamwork helps patients and families during difficult times is incredibly motivating,” Jacquie says.
Pharmacists also work closely with community pharmacies to ensure patients receive their medications quickly and safely after leaving the hospital.
A Pharmacy Built for Today’s Healthcare
Today, the GBGH Pharmacy team prepares more than 350,000 medication doses every year — but the space they work in wasn’t designed for modern hospital care.
“Our pharmacy was built in the 1970s for a staff of three,” Jacquie explains. “Today we have 23 team members.”
While the team has adapted the space over time to accommodate technologies that enable best practices, its size and layout can create challenges for a modern healthcare environment. A planned pharmacy renovation will create a purpose-built, modern space with a sterile compounding facility and secure narcotics storage that meet today’s highest safety standards. These improvements will help the team work more efficiently, reduce risks, and ultimately ensure patients receive the safest care possible.
The Difference Donors Make
Hospital funding does not cover equipment purchases or significant capital investment. Community generosity helps fill that gap, allowing hospitals like GBGH to modernize, grow, and continue improving patient care.
Because of donor support through the Foundation’s We See You Campaign, GBGH is building a future-ready pharmacy that can meet the needs of both year-round residents and the seasonal patients who rely on the hospital each year.
To the donors and community members who make that possible, Jacquie has a simple message:
“Please know that your generosity truly makes a difference every single day. We are so grateful.”
If you would like to support projects like the pharmacy renovation and help strengthen patient care at GBGH, you can learn more about the We See You Campaign at WeSeeYouGBGH.ca.
