In the world of specialty pharmacy, ensuring patients have access to their medications is critical. These patients often face complex health conditions that require life-sustaining therapies – medications that cannot wait to be administered, regardless of external circumstances. At Accredo by Evernorth, we are committed to overcoming any obstacle to deliver these essential treatments to our patients and have robust continuity plans in place – including leveraging our expansive footprint and real-time tracking.
Recently, Michelle Hamilton, pharmacist-in-charge of Accredo’s Houston care delivery site, went above and beyond to ensure patients were able to access their specialty medications amidst catastrophic Hurricane Beryl. Michelle’s story represents the above and beyond care that Evernorth’s specialty pharmacy team provides to patients every day.
On July 7, 2024, as Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Texas, Michelle faced a daunting challenge: power outages and flooded streets threatened the operations of Accredo’s Houston site, which houses critical specialty medications for thousands of patients, many of which are stored in medical-grade coolers.
Despite the risks, Michelle’s dedication to patients propelled her as she navigated through flooded streets on foot to reach the site and ensure that the generator was operational and the medications were secure and did not need to be replaced and/or dispensed at another location. In the days that followed the storm, Michelle coordinated the delivery of critical medications to more than 150 patients in the Houston area alone.
Her story is a testament to the importance of proactive planning, open communication, and a deep calling to serve patients. As a born-and-raised Houstonian who has weathered many storms, her motivation is deeply rooted in the desire to support her community. The lives of our patients are what inspire her to persevere in times of crisis.
For a more detailed account of Michelle’s experience, we invite you to watch her video interview below. Her leadership and determination are not only inspiring, but also a powerful reminder of the impact dedicated individuals can make, even in the toughest of circumstances.
