Columns

Currently there are 26,000 independent pharmacies in the United States. As nearly 60% of these pharmacies are owned by individuals over the age of 55, it is estimated that 15,600 such pharmacies will transition during the next 10 years. One pharmacy undergoing succession is Maier Pharmacy in Mapleton, Iowa. Senior partner Ed Maier, R.Ph., and Junior Partner Lou Robinson, Pharm.D., provide insights about this change.

With the current independent pharmacy owners approaching retirement, succession planning is a topic of increasing importance.  When transitioning between pharmacy owners/partners, it’s important to find a prospect who will carry on the pharmacy’s values and who also understands the risks involved in the process.  Communication between partners is essential in order to successfully change owners.

Craig Wear, PharmD

Pharmacy Owner

Purchasing a pharmacy is something that not all pharmacists would consider. In this column, pharmacist Craig Wear discusses the factors that led him to the realization that he would like to open an independent pharmacy and the goals he had for accomplishing this dream. He also describes how he gained the confidence necessary for the venture.

Craig Wear, PharmD

Pharmacy Owner

Purchasing a pharmacy is something that not all pharmacists would consider. In this column, Craig Wear outlines the resources and collaborations that are vital when starting a pharmacy.

Craig Wear, PharmD

Pharmacy Owner

Purchasing a pharmacy is something that not all pharmacists would consider. In this column, pharmacist Craig Wear reflects on the process of buying and opening an independent pharmacy. He describes the ongoing goals of the pharmacy and also offers advice to other young pharmacists who share the vision of owning an independent pharmacy.

 Dr. Sara Griesbach

Pharmacy Residency Program Director

A new, innovative pharmacy residency has been developed at Marshfield Clinic, the fifth largest non-profit multi-specialty clinic in the US.  This 12-month program provides the necessary opportunities for highly motivated pharmacists to achieve their professional goals and includes a wide variety of rotations, such as drug information, managed care, oncology, outpatient pharmacy, supply chain management, and research opportunities. In this column, program director Sara Griesbach discusses the conception and implementation of the residency, and the challenges that accompanied it.

Dr. Xin Wang Ruppel

First Resident at Marshfield Clinic

Xin Wang Ruppel is the first resident in the residency program at Marshfield Clinic. In this column, she provides insight on the development of the residency and the challenges associated with being the first to enter this innovative program, and shares some advice for students who are thinking of completing a residency.

Dr. Sue Wilhelm

Preceptor at Marshfield Clinic

Dr. Sue Wilhelm is one of the main preceptors for the residency program at Marshfield Clinic. Through this column, learn about the implementation and development of the program, the teaching of the first resident, and the challenges that were overcome.

Ben Stamper
Providence Alaska Medical Center Intern

Ben Stamper was the first intern at Providence Alaska Medical Center.  In this column, Ben provides insight on the development of an internship, focusing on the inception, difficulties and challenges students face in a program that is still in the development process.

John Mellet
Providence Alaska Medical Center Intern

Dr. Henry Bussey
Anticoagulation Traineeship
University of Texas Health Science Center

Follow Dr. Henry Bussey through the conception, implementation, and challenges associated with beginning both an anticoagulation traineeship for pharmacists and pharmacy students and an automated online anticoagulation management program.

Megan Anderson

Pharm D 

Follow Dr. Megan Anderson through her experience in an anticoagulation traineeship for pharmacists and pharmacy students, and learn about the personal and education challenges she overcame during the program.

Anthony Pudlo, PharmD Candidate

Drake University

Des Moines, IA

Entrepreneurial leadership can be found throughout the pharmacy profession, including practices outside of community pharmacy. The column below was written by Anthony Pudlo, a 2007 PharmD candidate at Drake University. It details his experience in a non-traditional pharmacy services setting. He describes the pursuit of an opportunity; the risk he took in following a passion rather than a traditional route to pharmacy practice. Anthony’s experience is a story written to inspire other future pharmacists to pursue interests and learn more about our profession, which will provide background for future innovation and provide opportunities for change.

Anthony Pudlo, PharmD Candidate

Drake University

Des Moines, IA

Entrepreneurial leadership can be found throughout the pharmacy profession, including practices outside of community pharmacy. The column below was written by Anthony Pudlo, a 2007 PharmD candidate at Drake University. It details his experience in a non-traditional pharmacy services setting. He describes the pursuit of an opportunity; the risk he took in following a passion rather than a traditional route to pharmacy practice. Anthony’s experience is a story written to inspire other future pharmacists to pursue interests and learn more about our profession, which will provide background for future innovation and provide opportunities for change.

Anthony Pudlo, PharmD Candidate

Drake University

Des Moines, IA

Entrepreneurial leadership can be found throughout the pharmacy profession, including practices outside of community pharmacy. The column below was written by Anthony Pudlo, a 2007 PharmD candidate at Drake University. It details his experience in a non-traditional pharmacy services setting. He describes the pursuit of an opportunity; the risk he took in following a passion rather than a traditional route to pharmacy practice. Anthony’s experience is a story written to inspire other future pharmacists to pursue interests and learn more about our profession, which will provide background for future innovation and provide opportunities for change.