Ashleigh Anderson Obituary Seymour IN, Death: CVS pharmacist died on heart attack
Ashleigh Anderson Obituary, Death – On what appeared to be an unremarkable day, September 10, 2021 marked the tragic conclusion of 41-year-old Ashleigh Anderson’s life. Serving diligently as a pharmacist at CVS in Seymour, Indiana, Anderson faced the onset of a heart attack while on duty.
Despite the alarming symptoms, she opted to stay at her station, knowing she was the sole pharmacist available at the 24-hour pharmacy. Amidst ongoing staff shortages and heightened demands stemming from the pandemic, Anderson valiantly carried the weight of these challenges.
Unexpected Responsibility
Despite her expressed preferences, Anderson found herself thrust into the role of pharmacy manager, a position that significantly increased her workload. Nonetheless, stress was nothing new to her. Having previously earned the company’s highest accolade, the Paragon Award, she demonstrated remarkable dedication and adeptness in managing through adversity, such as navigating a historic flood in 2008.
However, the relentless pressures of her job, coupled with a corporate ethos that emphasized perpetual operation and performance metrics at the expense of employee welfare, ultimately undermined her health.
The Final Moments
Despite her declining health, Anderson opted to wait for assistance before seeking medical attention. Tragically, this delay had dire consequences. Collapsing on the pharmacy floor, despite swift CPR and emergency services, she fell victim to a ‘widowmaker’ heart attack, resulting from a 99% blockage in her left descending coronary artery. Swift medical intervention could have potentially spared her life.
A Wake-Up Call
Anderson’s premature passing has emerged as a rallying point among retail pharmacists, shining a spotlight on the severe pressures and hazardous work environments prevalent in the industry. Her narrative has ignited a powerful social media movement with the hashtag #SheWaited, bringing attention to the relentless pressures and burnout endured by frontline pharmacy staff.
This incident has sparked demands for a reassessment of corporate priorities that prioritize efficiency and financial gains at the expense of employee welfare and safety. Anderson’s heartbreaking fate underscores the critical imperative for reform in an industry caught in a perilous cycle of understaffing and excessive workloads.