Born and raised in Grass Valley, Janell Jones attended UC Berkeley and received a BS in Chemistry. In 2004 she came back home and began working for Long’s Drugs, which led her to want to become a pharmacist. She enrolled at the University of the Pacific and got her Doctorate of Pharmacy. She moved back to Grass Valley to manage the local CVS store, until in 2015 she found her dream job at a compounding pharmacy. “I finally had a chance to combine chemistry and patient care,” said Janell.
In 2019 she opened Gold Country Compounding Pharmacy in Auburn so she could practice patient-centered care the way she wanted. “I’m able to use my knowledge and experience to truly benefit my patients,” Janell said.
While working in compounding she had the privilege to work with and learn from hospice nurses who were caring for patients. “I am absolutely in awe of hospice nurses. They are the most compassionate, knowledgeable, and hardworking professionals I have ever worked with. They are truly angels that walk amongst us. To be able to love and care for patients and their families, knowing they will lose them, and to go through that again and again…it’s amazing,” said Janell.
Emily Turcios, Director of Patient Care Services and a Certified Hospice Nurse, can’t say enough about Janell.
“Janell is a rock star! There have been occasions where we have ordered topical medications from her pharmacy for patients who were in crisis. Not only did she compound them STAT, she drove them all the way up to Grass Valley to hand-deliver them to the patient. Her pharmacy is the only pharmacy in our area that will compound topical medications for patients who will not or who cannot take medications orally. So for patients who can’t swallow, or for patients who have dementia and refuse to take medication, we can manage their symptoms and keep them relaxed and comfortable,” shares Emily.
While Janell doesn’t have any family members or friends who have received hospice services yet, she does have a large collection of experiences and stories from working with patient’s families while providing their prescriptions. “Hospice is a gift of time. Having the nurse or doctor go to the patient’s home instead of an office visit; having medications delivered to the home instead of standing in line at the pharmacy; having a social worker to guide them through the mountain of paperwork instead of stumbling through alone. A volunteer offering respite care so a family member can take a well-needed break. I’ve heard countless stories from patients and families telling me they don’t know what they would have done without hospice.”
Past Executive Director, Viv Tipton, and Janell met several years ago, and Viv’s passion for Hospice of the Foothills (and now Foothills Compassionate Care which includes Hospice of the Foothills) drew Janell in even further. Viv saw the love and respect Janell has for hospice care so she asked Janell to join the Board of Directors in 2020. Janell, honored to be asked, accepted. She considers herself to be a voice that acknowledges how hardworking and dedicated the nurses, aides, chaplains, social workers, and volunteers are in the hospice field.
“Janell is exactly the type of compassionate human we look for to be on our board,” says Heidi Wingo- current Executive Director. “It is an honor to work with her to carry out our important mission.”
When asked why she stays involved with Foothills Compassionate Care, Janell credits her strong connection to the mission. “To be able to help a patient and family while they are going through such a difficult time is very rewarding. I might not be the person at the bedside, but I can be their cheerleader in the corner. Working in the background to help make a difference in the level of service that Foothills Compassionate Care can provide as a nonprofit organization brings me immeasurable joy.
Gold Country Compounding Pharmacy can be found at 11990 Heritage Oak Place, Suite 2C in Auburn, California.