Jeana has been working in HIV care for more than two decades. And when you ask her what drew her to this kind of care, her answer is simple.
“I wanted to help people,” she says. “Back in the day, there were a lot of drugs, a lot of drugs interactions, and a lot of people who just needed some help. And at the end of the day, being a pharmacist is about helping people.”
That’s why you’ll find Jeana doing absolutely everything she can to make sure her patients are taken care of. For instance, she once spent six hours on the phone with an insurance company trying to lower the cost of a prescription for a patient.
“I’m always searching for a coupon or a copay card. Helping people find ways to save money on their medication is huge,” she says.
She also spends time with each and every patient to explain medications and make sure they have what they need to feel good about their care. And if for some reason they’re feeling uncertain about something?
“Call! Please call! Or stop by!” says Jeana. “Because that’s what we’re here for. If you go to a regular community pharmacy, a lot of the time they don’t have time to answer those questions. But here, we always do. And I’m always on your side, and I’m going to do everything I can to help.”
For Jeana, one of the best things about her job is seeing how healthy people can be.
“HIV medication used to be so complicated, but now we know so much more. Now, it’s easier than it’s ever been,” she says. “You take a pill a day and yes, you can have kids. No, you won’t transmit it to anyone sexually if you take your medications consistently and the virus is suppressed. Your life doesn’t really have to change at all.”
Jeana earned her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1995 and her PharmD in 1996, both from St. Louis College of Pharmacy. She also earned an HIV Pharmacist™ (AAHIVP) certification from the American Academy of HIV Medicine.