Nambe heroes include Elizabeth Maestas CPht, Ashley Zubia Clerk, Julie Ortiz Pharm D, Thomas Lovett RPh, Daniela Perez CPhT, Stacy Kuriakose Pharmacy Intern and Melissa Roybal Pharm D. Photo by Jenn  Bartram/ladailypost.com

Vaccine Clinic volunteers gathered Monday at the LAHS Gym including Nambe Co-owner Frances Lovett, County Councilor Sara Scott and County Emergency Manager Beverley Simpson. Photo by Jenn Bartram/ladailypost.com

By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon@ladailypost.com

Since opening in Los Alamos in 2015, Nambe Drugs has found a number of ways to help the community. This year, they took on their biggest project—getting the community vaccinated for COVID-19. Business owners Tom and Frances Lovett are both pharmacists. They also own a branch of the store in Santa Fe.

In January Nambe Pharmacist Julie Ortiz was contacted by New Mexico Aging and Long Term Services Department employee Delores Gonzales to see if they could help those over 75 get vaccinated.

“They contacted us and I went, oh yeah, we’d love to help,” Ortiz said. “Then I realized I’d better ask Tom!”

Lovett said yes immediately.

“First, we started at the Senior Centers in White Rock and Los Alamos,” Lovett said. “We worked with Executive Director Bernadette Lauritzen to set up vaccination clinics. Then Los Alamos County got involved and we started doing clinics at Los Alamos High School.”

“Emergency Services Director Beverley Simpson has been a wonderful help in organizing everything,” Ortiz said. “The County is very supportive of the community.”

Lovett also praised the New Mexico Department of Health.

“They’ve made sure we can get vaccines and boosters in a timely manner,” Lovett said.

It’s now 9,096 vaccines later in Los Alamos and the Santa Fe store is doing 110 per week.

“We’re just excited to be part of it,” Lovett said, adding that the entire staff is brimming with excitement and energy over the project.

Ortiz and Frances Lovett are the master coordinators, Lovett said.

“At first it was a struggle, but we got more efficient each time,” Ortiz said.

One particularly trying clinic was on Valentine’s Day when there was a snowstorm.

“No one had to wait outside,” Lovett said.

The entire staff has stepped up, he said.

“These ladies need roller skates, they move so fast,” Lovett said. “We have such a dedicated staff.”

“It’s not just us,” Ortiz said. “Lots of volunteers have stepped up—including our spouses!”

The team at Nambe Drugs is coming up on their biggest clinic yet. On Sunday, April 25, the intrepid staff and volunteers will vaccinate 1,200 people 16 and older with the Pfizer vaccine.

“Pfizer goes down to 16 so we’re hoping to get the high school kids vaccinated,” Lovett said.

Nambe Drugs has teamed up with the Los Alamos Fire Department to vaccinate the home-bound,” Lovett said.

“It’s our goal to see everyone in Los Alamos who wants a vaccination is able to get one,” Lovett said.

Of course, Nambe Drugs also is a busy pharmacy. They are an essential service, so they haven’t been closed during the pandemic. 

“We’re anxious to get back to normal,” Lovett said.

In addition to being a full service pharmacy, Nambe Drugs also provides pet pharmaceuticals prescribed by veterinarians. The store also provides compound medications. Compounding pharmacies can produce unique dosage forms based on patient preferences and/or restrictions. Examples include dye-free, preservative-free, alcohol-free, and/or sugar-free forms of medications. Many compounds are specialized medication combinations or compounded in other forms that are not otherwise commercially available, like gels and suppositories. They also provide vaccinations, and not just for COVID-19. They also provide flu, pneumonia and shingles vaccines.

Nambe Drugs is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To get signed up for the April 25 event, go to the New Mexico Department of Health’s vaccination portal and enter event code AFGKMXW. You must be registered to get the vaccine, Ortiz reminded everyone.

Visit Nambe Drugs online at nambedrugs.com or call 505.661.9560 to learn more about their services.

Nambe Co-owner Frances Lovett, PhC, left, and Los Alamos County Emergency Manager Beverley Simpson at the vaccination clinic Monday at LAHS. Photo by Jenn Bartram/ladailypost.com

From left, Nambe Pharmacy Manager Cindy Orr, Nambe Co-owner Frances Lovett, PhC, Catherine Fry RPh, Antoniette Montano, RN and County Emergency Manager Beverley Simpson at the vaccination clinic Monday at LAHS. Photo by Jenn Bartram/ladailypost.com