Guardians in the Storm: How Our Pharmacies Responded to 2024’s Historic Hurricane Season

Florida and hurricanes go together like palm trees and sunshine, and 2024 has been no exception. This season tied the record for the most hurricanes to make landfall in Florida. Among them was Hurricane Milton, which became the third hurricane to strike Florida this year and the fifth to make landfall along the Gulf Coast. Navigating these relentless storms tested the resilience of our communities and pharmacies and underscored the critical importance of preparation, teamwork, and innovation.

For Guardian’s seven Florida pharmacies, the response to this season’s hurricanes showcased what makes our nationwide network of pharmacies truly special: the ability to work as one cohesive team, leveraging technology and collaboration to ensure uninterrupted care for residents. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we managed these challenges and continued to deliver on our promise to be a true partner in care.

Proactive Preparation: The Key to Seamless Care

When a hurricane is on the horizon, timing is everything. Days before the first winds arrived, our pharmacy teams were already working long hours to push out medication cycles, refills, and new requests. This proactive approach ensured that residents had all necessary medications well in advance of the storm, minimizing disruption and reducing stress for community staff and families.

Meanwhile, our billing teams navigated state-of-emergency protocols to authorize early refills without additional costs to residents. This level of preparation is only possible when a pharmacy is deeply committed to its customers and has the expertise to navigate complex regulatory landscapes during crises.

Leveraging the Power of a National Network

One of Guardian’s greatest strengths is our network of pharmacies across the country. This network proved invaluable during the hurricanes, enabling us to coordinate care for residents who had evacuated. For example:

• When communities evacuated to Orlando, we shared patient profiles with the Guardian pharmacy there, giving their pharmacists full visibility to continue servicing displaced residents.
• Our Jacksonville pharmacy stepped in to deliver medications inland to residents evacuated from the Gulf Coast.
• Even in the chaos of the storm, GuardianNote® —our secure, mobile communication app—allowed community staff to stay in touch with us and submit prescriptions from wherever they were.

These seamless transitions wouldn’t be possible without the collaborative spirit and dedication of our team members across the state.

Going Above and Beyond: Acts of Heroism in the Storm

The days surrounding a hurricane bring no shortage of challenges, but they also reveal the extraordinary commitment of our team.

The day after Hurricane Milton passed, our southwest Florida pharmacy reopened to process urgent prescriptions. While our delivery drivers focused on their own homes and families, Anthony, our Director of Operations, and I took to the road ourselves to deliver medications. Anthony returned to the pharmacy with only 20 miles left in his gas tank—underscoring the severity of post-storm shortages—but not before every delivery was completed.

Elsewhere, Alan Obringer, President of Guardian Pharmacy of Orlando, made a daring delivery during the storm to ensure one community had essential supplies. While we wouldn’t recommend such risks, Alan’s dedication reflects the heart of Guardian’s mission: putting residents first, no matter the circumstances.

Lessons from the Storm: Preparing for the Next Crisis

Hurricanes Milton, Debby, Helene, Beryl, and Francine remind us that natural disasters demand constant vigilance. For long-term care and senior living communities, partnering with an experienced LTC pharmacy is a vital part of disaster preparedness. Together, we can ensure that residents maintain access to essential medications before, during, and after a storm.

Here are key steps to strengthen preparedness for future events:

1. Advance Planning
   Begin planning well before hurricane season. Collaborate with your pharmacy to identify residents’ medication needs, ensure accurate patient profiles, and create protocols for emergencies.
2. Communication Tools
   Implement secure communication tools, like GuardianNote, to stay connected during crises. Reliable communication is critical when residents are evacuated to multiple locations.
3. Seamless Transitions
   Work with a pharmacy network capable of transferring patient profiles across locations to ensure continuity of care during evacuations.
4. Post-Event Debriefs
   After each event, hold a debrief with your pharmacy team to identify lessons learned and refine your emergency response plans. Annual drills can also help staff stay prepared.

By taking these proactive measures, communities can ensure the safety and well-being of their residents during even the most challenging circumstances.

A Team United by Purpose

The 2024 hurricane season has tested all of us, but it also highlighted the resilience, adaptability, and heart of our Guardian Pharmacy family. From late nights preparing medication orders to driving through storm-ravaged areas to deliver care, our team proved that we’re more than just a pharmacy—we’re a trusted partner in every sense of the word.

As we look ahead to future challenges, we remain committed to working hand-in-hand with the communities we serve. Together, we can weather any storm and continue providing the exceptional care that defines Guardian Pharmacy.

Jay Mandra, President, Guardian Pharmacy of SWFL