Even the initials of her name spell out the TLC she is known for in her community
Crosby was chosen to receive the Pfizer Bowl of Hygeia an award which is presented to a pharmacist who has established an outstanding record of community service.
The Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia held an award gala and presented a few other surprises including sending a film crew to Shelburne to interview colleagues, patients and staff for a video shown at the gala and presented to Crosby.
“It is such a wonderful keepsake,” said Crosby.
Crosby grew up in Sable River before moving to Shelburne and has always gotten involved in her community.
Whether working as part of the Roseway Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, working for her church, or the physician recruitment program, driving a person from the community to a specialist appointment in Halifax or her involvement in Teens Lending Care (TLC) program she is always ready to lend her care and time.
“I don’t feel like I do anything different,” said Crosby. “How can you live in a community and not get involved.”
She said she couldn’t do it without a team of dedicated staff that she could easily leave the TLC Pharmacy she once owned in order to help volunteer on projects around the community.
Teens Lending Care was a group she helped to get off the ground in 2007. Teens volunteer regularly on Mon. to Fri. from 2:30 to 4 p.m. from fall to mid June giving a good amount of time to spend with patients at Roseway Hospital.
“(Staff) are so stretched for time,” said Crosby.
Here the students step in to spend quality time with patients, many of who are living on the ward as they wait for alternative care.
Students often start off a bit shy but at the end of the program have formed meaningful connections with the patients they have come to know.
Crosby’s inside look at the healthcare system makes her a perfect candidate for the Shelburne County Health Care Recruitment and Retention Committee where she networks with medical professionals and hosts medical students as they look at working in the community.
It is often that Crosby will go beyond her regular duties as a pharmacist, filling prescriptions after hours, keeping the store open a few hours when a storm blows through shutting down most of the town.
“That’s the beauty of living in a small place,” said Crosby.
She loves being connected to the community and growing up with the knowledge of the families around her and getting to spend time with them and the next generation of people.
She said she is now gearing up for retirement but plans to continue with her volunteering and involvement with the community she loves.
