 The extended Kayden clan, featuring five alumni: Coleen (Ortmann) Kayden P’78 and husband Robert Stephen Kayden, Jr., P’78, second and third from left, respectively; Werner Ortmann P’50, seated in middle; Melinda Jo Ortmann PharmD’03, second from right, middle row; and Paul J. Ortmann P’77, first from right, back row. |
Coleen Ortmann Kayden P’78
By Carol R. Cool
Coleen (Ortmann) Kayden is enmeshed in a USciences legacy family. Her father (Werner Ortmann P’50), brother (Paul J. Ortmann P’77), husband (Robert Stephen Kayden, Jr., P’78), and niece (Melinda Jo Ortmann PharmD’03) are all alumni. Coleen felt those legacy connections when she received the Annual Alumni Award at the 2010 Reunion—the very year her father celebrated his 60th reunion.
“My dad was a tremendous influence on my attending Philadelphia College of Pharmacy,” said Coleen. “It has a reputation of being the oldest, and among pharmacy schools, it’s an institution in and of itself. My father had very fond memories of the school, and he also knew we would get a very high-quality education there.”
Coleen’s dad owned a pharmacy back in the ‘60s, but by the time she graduated he was working for Rea & Derick. She went to work for them too. Her husband Robert also worked for Rea & Derick after a time at an independent pharmacy. But for more than 20 years, both have been with Williams Apothecary, a leader in providing pharmacy services at the long-term care communities that populate Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Robert manages the Williams Apothecary at Brethren Village, a continuing care retirement community. Coleen transitioned into long-term care consulting and now serves as a full-time consultant from Williams to Hospice of Lancaster County.
Coleen reviews care plans and charts for skilled care, looking for ways to improve medication management. She acts as an advocate for patients, a resource for physicians and nurses, and an auditor for care facilities. Coleen’s goal is to ensure patients approaching the end of life do so in as much comfort as physicians and pharmacists can provide.
This goal led Coleen in the 1990s to become a cofounder of the Pain and Palliative Care Partnership (PPCP). The organization fosters research in pain management and provides tools and education to facilities based on that research. The tool kit they developed helps staff members document pain levels on each shift, allowing better management of pain. Coleen trains facility staff around Lancaster County in the tool kit’s use. Inquiries are now coming in from around the state, and she travels to speak to groups that have an interest in improving pain management.
“I’ve always tried to take the big-picture outlook to impact the practice of pharmacy,” said Coleen. “At the end of the day I want to think that I’ve made a difference, even if I don’t see the change in my practice lifetime. It’s nice to think you might leave a tiny legacy somewhere.” The industry awards Coleen has received show that her legacy is already well established.
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