Risking his own safety to deliver essential care earned Aaron LaBorde the Public Protector Award

Why he wonAs multiple bush fires threatened Yellowknife this past summer and most residents evacuated to safer terrain, Sutherland’s Drugs pharmacist/owner Aaron LaBorde was determined to provide medication services to those who remained, even if that meant being the only pharmacy left open. “If 90% of the city leaves, there are still 2,000 people left who might need medication at some time,” he reflected. Quickly developing an emergency plan, LaBorde acquired a satellite internet connection, generators, fuel, and an extra cellular phone to function as an emergency line. For safety’s sake, staff evacuated south to Alberta with some of the pharmacy’s computer equipment and file backups, while LaBorde stayed behind to work solo in the pharmacy assisting his own remaining patients, as well as those from other pharmacies and outlying areas. He quickly discovered that there were many people who needed help to access critical medications.LaBorde remembers feeling overwhelmed at times, especially with logistical challenges in getting medication orders shipped into an evacuation zone—and the lack of access to prescription files, insurance details and medical history for patients from other pharmacies. He had to drive to the airport himself to pick up drug orders and relied on essential staff who came into the region for other purposes to transport medications to other fly-in communities. But his determination to keep his pharmacy open paid off. “Basically, you just do whatever you can to help [people]; and if that means working at 100% capacity for 12 hours a day for almost three weeks in a row, that is just what you have to do to try to ensure people get what they need,” he said. Watch the video below to hear Aaron’s side of his story: Q&A: What's your favourite part of your job? When you realize that you made a difference or had a positive impact on an individual’s health and/or life—the days I go home and can feel like I genuinely made a difference. It could be improving therapy, helping in the OTC section or just lining up medication so picking it up is more convenient. Helping people is what I enjoy.What advice would you give a young pharmacist? Do not undervalue yourself and the role you play in patients’ lives and in the healthcare system overall. Pharmacy is a front-line health profession and the role we play in the healthcare system is so critical in holding things together. What's your most effective way to combat stress? Exercise and getting outside. I have a Husky dog and we often walk him off-leash in the parks or trails around Yellowknife. I find when I have time to play with my kids it makes me forget about any of the other stresses or issues I worry about.Is there a mentor or role model who has inspired you in your career? Ian Wasserman. He is probably not widely known in other places but is basically a legend around here. My mother is a pharmacist and she is always willing to listen and lend advice, too. It is great having someone who has the experience she does to bounce things off of and maybe get different perspectives on things.Describe your perfect day off. It would be 150 km outside of Yellowknife trolling for and catching a pile of lake trout on a calm sunny day with my two boys. You can read about all the 2023 winners here.If reading these stories makes you think of someone you know who’s deserving of an award (including perhaps, yourself?), you can sign up to be notified when the entry process opens for 2024 by filling out this form.

Risking his own safety to deliver essential care earned Aaron LaBorde the Public Protector Award

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