As always, NCPA’s Annual Convention was a celebration of independent pharmacy. Throughout the convention, pharmacy professionals from around the country discussed, collaborated, and brainstormed the future of pharmacy - and the opportunities are promising.
What’s more, NCPA showcases the best and brightest of the pharmacy industry. This year, several PioneerRx users won awards for their exemplary contribution to the industry.
Let’s get to know some of this year’s winners.
Sacramento Pharmacy Owner Clint Hopkins received the NARD Ownership Award, which recognizes “an independent community pharmacist who embraces entrepreneurial spirit through promotion and demonstrated excellence in the field of community pharmacy ownership.”
His journey to pharmacy ownership has taken him all over the pharmacy world, from chain stores and hospitals to operating rooms. After a time as a pharmacogenomics and electronic health records consultant, Clint decided it was time to take the plunge into the independent scene.
Going from his native state of Tennessee to Sacramento, CA, with his husband Joel Hockman, he purchased Pucci’s Pharmacy from Tim and Linda Nelson. Earlier this year, he opened Pucci’s LTC Pharmacy, making waves in the long-term care space. He also acquired Eddie’s Pharmacy in Los Angeles, widening his scope and outreach in patient care.
For nearly two decades, Cliff has exemplified what transformative patient care is all about. We can’t wait to see what he does next.
Bay Street Pharmacy Owner (and friend of the Beyond the Scripts Podcast) Theresa Tolle won the William B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year. This award goes to a pharmacist who “exhibits exemplary professional leadership, service to community, and commitment to independent pharmacy,” and we couldn’t think of anyone more deserving.
Theresa has worked in the Florida-based pharmacy with her husband Joe since 1999, constantly modernizing methods of patient care to maximize her patients’ health.
She is also a CPESN Florida Lead Luminary, where she is at the forefront of making sure independent pharmacists are getting their fair share. From immunizations, testing, compounding, diabetes education, pharmacogenomics, and medication therapy management, Theresa knows that quality patient care goes beyond putting pills in a vial.
Check out Theresa’s appearance on the Beyond the Scripts Podcast to learn more about how she is impacting the Florida community and the industry as a whole.
CPESN’s Luminary of the Year was co-awarded to Bob Lomenick. He is also a member of the CPESN USA Board of Directors and the CPESN USA Executive Committee and is the chair of the CPESN USA Payer Partner, Purchaser Committee.
To say the least, Bob wears a lot of hats, but the law of diminishing returns need not apply to him. His involvement in and dedication to the independent pharmacy industry has proven instrumental in its growth.
Bob helped launch the CPESN Mississippi Network in 2017 and has been the state network’s lead luminary and representative to the CPESN USA Board ever since.
He also keeps his feet on the pharmacy floor as the Owner of Tyson Drug Company in Holly Springs. An instrumental part of the industry from traditional pharmacy work to CPESN, Bob Lomenick is pushing pharmacy forward with his hard work, dedication, and exceptional forward thinking.
Check out Bob Lomenick’s episode of the Catalyst Pharmacy Podcast to learn more about the “Godfather of Med Sync.”
NCPA’s Outstanding Faculty Liaison of the Year award went to Poole’s Pharmacy’s Johnathan Hamrick. The award recognizes those who “demonstrate exceptional leadership and commitment to independent pharmacy, their NCPA Student Chapter, and the community.”
Johnathan’s pharmacy journey started on the road — literally — as a delivery driver at Adams Drug Store in Cordele, Georgia. He later became pharmacist-in-charge at Kenmar Pharmacy in Marietta, then taught at the Mercer University College of Pharmacy as a Clinical Assistant Professor. In short, he talks the talk and walks the walk.
As faculty adviser for the NCPA Student Chapter, he encouraged student engagement with NCPA, leading to several students serving on the Student Leadership Board.
Johnathan now serves as the Lead Network Facilitator for CPESN Georgia, ensuring the growth of collaborative care and patient-centered services. He also keeps his academic ties as an adjunct professor at Mercer and works as a clinical pharmacist at Poole’s Pharmacy in Marietta.
Whether in the classroom or behind the pharmacy counter, Johnathan’s work is what independent pharmacy is all about: make the most out of the present while blazing a trail for the future.
This year's NCPA conference was truly remarkable. As with any year, it was a celebration of independent pharmacy. Throughout the event, industry professionals came together to discuss, collaborate, and brainstorm the future of the industry, and it's clear that the future looks brighter than ever.
With the likes of Clint Hopkins, Theresa Tolle, Bob Lomenick, and Johnathan Hamrick, we know independent pharmacies will reach unprecedented heights, all in the name of patient care. We can’t wait to see what you all do next.
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