Get to Know Nancy B (click to enlarge pictures)

NancyStriper---3 Derby Winners---NancyIppi

Nancy “Nancy B ” Balch, a Hingham native, is the manager of Ippi’s Bait & Tackle in Wyoma Square.  When she is not at her primary job, she works at the shop. She does the website, accounting, assists with orders and displays, as well as running the register when Ippi needs her. She has fished all of her life, but not as much as Ippi. Nancy is called 'Nancy B' by many of her friends and most of the people she works with at MGH.

Nancy's primary job is in the Emergency Department at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH); she is a clinical pharmacist. She does not fill prescriptions; she works with the medical team and assists with the care of patients. She assists with anything, and everything, relating to medications: adult codes, pediatric codes, medication questions, helping determine what medications patients take at home, mixing intravenous medications, overdose treatments, and more. Nancy received her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) at Northeastern University; professionally, her title is Dr. Balch. Nancy completed a general residency in pharmacy at Massachusetts General Hospital; after that, she worked as a clinical pharmacist on the in-patient floors and then moved to the Emergency Department. Nancy is the clinical pharmacist for MGH's Flu Shot Program; this program (which includes all MGH clinics), provides >55,000 patients flu shots annually. Nancy precepts pharmacy students and pharmacy residents; pharmacy students have come from as far away as Washington State to take a clinical rotation with her. Nancy is the lead clinical pharmacist on the medical team for the Avon 2-Day Breast Cancer Walk in Boston each year.

Before becoming a pharmacist, Nancy was an active duty soldier in the United States ARMY; she did not work in the medical field at that time. Nancy did her Basic Training in Alabama, her education in Oklahoma, and was then stationed at Ft Richardson, Alaska- 6th Infantry Division, Light (deactivated after her discharge). She endured temperatures down to -100 degrees Farenheit and up to 115 degrees Farenheit. During her enlistment, she became Post Soldier of the Month and Post N.C.O. of the Quarter; she also received numerous awards, to include ARMY Commendation Medal, ARMY Achievement Medal (+ Oak clusters), and ARMY Good Conduct Medal, to name a few. She received items from the ARMY Chief of Staff, Joint Commander of the Korean/American Troops, and Commander of the Pacific Command, to name a few; She received an Honorable Discharge and is a Disabled Veteran (hence the knee braces you may have noticed). To learn more about where she was stationed in Alaska: Ft. Richardson