Producer's NoteThis is our first podcast episode for the NCPA Foundation. We're aware that the audio quality has some room for improvement, and we'll be working to enhance the sound in future episodes. Thank you for your understanding as we develop this new platform for sharing pharmacy stories and insights.

Introduction

Host: Sonja Pagniano, CFRE, Executive Director, NCPA Foundation

Guest: Sam Smith, pharmacy student at Mercer University graduating in May

Topic: Community pharmacy passion and entrepreneurship

Sam's Journey to Community PharmacySam was initially interested in hospital pharmacy. He started as a pharmacy technician at Publix Pharmacy while completing his prerequisites. During this time, he discovered the joy of working in a small team setting, building relationships with regular patients, and following up on their medications and lives. After experiencing the hospital environment, Sam realized it wasn't for him as he missed the patient relationships. He deeply values being "the most accessible healthcare provider" in the community.

Networking in Independent PharmacyAs a self-described introvert, Sam benefited greatly from "forced networking" opportunities at school. A pivotal moment came when he met an independent pharmacy owner at a school reception near his white coat ceremony. He also connected with independent pharmacists on faculty and in other contexts. Sam emphasized how these small moments and connections significantly changed his career path.

NCPA InvolvementSam joined NCPA during his P1 year after attending a school organization fair. He became more involved in his P2 year, focused on recruiting other students. At the time, he noticed community pharmacy was "on the downtrend" compared to industry and hospital positions, which motivated him to show others the impact community pharmacists could have. A significant eye-opening realization for Sam was that clinical services traditionally performed in hospitals or doctor's offices could be effectively translated to community settings. His leadership progression included becoming chapter president at Mercer and later applying for and joining the Student Leadership Council.

Passion for Independent PharmacySam appreciates the ability of independent pharmacies to pivot quickly to meet community needs. He cited examples such as independent pharmacies' quick adaptation during COVID and their rapid implementation of expanded scope of practice in various states. He values the responsiveness of independent pharmacies and their ability to make immediate impacts on patient health.Work-Life BalanceSam acknowledges the essential support from his wife, a clinical nurse manager who works full-time while helping manage their three children. She even completed her master's degree while Sam was in pharmacy school. His keys to balancing responsibilities include meticulous scheduling and time management, setting clear priorities about when to be a dad, husband, or student, learning to say no to some opportunities, and appreciating the flexibility that independent pharmacy practice offers.

NCPA Foundation SupportSam received multiple scholarships from the foundation and attended the Pharmacy Ownership and Leadership Academy (POLA), which he described as a "pivotal moment" in his pharmacy career. Before POLA, Sam knew he wanted to be an owner, but was afraid. After POLA, he gained the confidence and tools needed, saying "I knew I could be an owner."

Sam also participated in the NCPA Business Plan Competition, competing before attending POLA and feeling much more confident afterward. The business plan development process, which can reach up to 60 pages, forced him to answer detailed questions about implementing new services, creating financial projections and sustainability plans, assessing community impact, and considering demographics and insurance factors. He received valuable feedback from independent community pharmacists through this experience.Future Pharmacy VisionSam dreams of creating a "health hub" pharmacy that meets specific community needs, potentially including compounding services, geriatric medication management, and home health delivery options. He envisions a central resource where patients can get healthcare questions answered, be directed to appropriate providers when needed, and receive basic care services such as COVID testing and TB tests. Sam plans to network with local healthcare providers including doctors, dentists, and veterinarians, and aims to equip his pharmacy technicians as community health workers.

Challenges and OpportunitiesCurrent challenges Sam faces include waiting for the right time to enter the market, navigating a difficult environment to start a pharmacy from scratch, and ensuring financial stability. However, he sees many opportunities in his future Tennessee location: a growing community extending toward a major city, new healthcare facilities opening including dermatology practices and a hospital satellite campus, and the potential to meet needs of patients currently traveling to larger cities for care.

Advice for Pharmacy StudentsSam encourages pharmacy students to network extensively, noting that "pharmacy is a small world" which should be used as an advantage since each connection leads to more connections. He recommends joining professional organizations, especially NCPA, to discover niche opportunities not covered in pharmacy school. Finally, he advises students to put in extra work to develop ownership skills, as pharmacy school typically focuses on clinical skills rather than business acumen. He suggests using resources like NCPA and POLA and finding mentors to guide the journey toward pharmacy ownership.

Contact InformationLinkedIn: SamSmithRxEmail: [email protected]

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