OREANDA-NEWS. July 03, 2012. McKesson, one of the nation’s largest healthcare services company, announced its 2012 Pharmacy of the Year awards at its annual McKesson ideaShare Conference in Las Vegas, NV. This year’s winners, recognized during a special awards ceremony yesterday, include a national grand prize winner and four regional winners. McKesson’s Pharmacy of the Year awards recognizes independent pharmacies for the exceptional contributions they make to their communities and leadership in the areas of quality patient care, innovative marketing and technology adoption, reported the press-centre of McKesson.

This year’s 2012 Pharmacy of the Year grand prize was awarded to Gateway Health Mart Pharmacy South in Bismarck, ND. Gateway Health Mart Pharmacy South has been a McKesson customer since 1998 and is owned and operated by Mark Aurit.

“While McKesson provides pharmacists with the tools to help them succeed, at the end of the day, it’s the relationships that independent-pharmacy owners and pharmacists have with their patients and communities that make them successful,” said Brian Tyler, president, McKesson U.S. Pharmaceutical. “By delivering exceptional, personalized care to its patients, Gateway Health Mart Pharmacy South exemplifies the important role that community pharmacists serve in their communities, and Mark Aurit embodies the leadership and drive necessary for independent pharmacies to compete and grow in today’s market, achieving new levels of clinical and business success.”

Gateway Health Mart Pharmacy South — Overall Excellence Award
Gateway Health Mart Pharmacy South is a progressive pharmacy offering pharmaceutical-care services, compounding services, research, Medicare Part D counseling and long-term care services. Gateway has embraced McKesson technology and automation solutions to help build and diversify their patient base, as well as improve the accuracy and speed of their service. “By partnering with McKesson, we can better focus our attention on our patients, and deliver the personalized care and services they deserve,” said Mark Aurit, owner, Gateway Health Mart Pharmacy, Bismarck, ND. “McKesson understands my goals as a business owner and a healthcare provider, and is committed to helping me achieve them. I am honored to receive this award and look forward to sharing it with my entire pharmacy team.”

Regional Pharmacy of the Year Winners

Four additional pharmacies received awards in their region:

North East: Atlantic Apothecary Health Mart Pharmacy, Smyrna, DE

Atlantic Apothecary is a startup store that opened in November 2008. Owner Kevin Musto has grown the business to more than 300 scripts a day by catering to local prescribers and focusing on patient-centric services, empowering patients to be successful. Musto and his pharmacists strongly believe that medication adherence support and medication therapy management (MTM) services are important, especially for their patients who are managing multiple conditions with unique medication regimens.The store was designed around future clinical-services solutions, and they can readily execute MTM or other alternative revenue opportunities.

North Central: Jernegan’s Health Mart Pharmacy, New London, WI

Jernegan’s operates in a competitive market; however, owners Jim and Cathy Jernegan do not believe they compete against other pharmacies, but rather focus on promoting their expertise and access to quality healthcare. Their goal is to encourage patients to come into the store and talk to them so they can help their patients lead healthier lives.

South: Medical Center Health Mart Pharmacy, Statesboro, GA

Pharmacist and owner Walter Pease has worked at Medical Center Health Mart Pharmacy since he was 12 years old. Founded 50 years ago by Walter’s partner Lem Nevil, the pharmacy has become a landmark in the community not only for its patient care but also for a soda shop famous for its orange-ades. Medical Center Health Mart is an early adopter of technology and automation designed to improve their productivity, allowing them time to take care of their patients and nurture their customer relationships.

West: Stapley Health Mart Pharmacy, St. George, UT

Stapley Health Mart Pharmacy has been able to grow and serve the growing needs of their community for over 30 years. They are the largest compounding pharmacy in the area, servicing nearly 60 compounds every day. Evan Stapley, owner of Stapley Health Mart Pharmacy, doesn’t believe in the traditional workflow of a pharmacy. He believes a patient should be taken care of the moment they step into his pharmacy to be counseled and given the best customer service experience.

For more information on all of McKesson’s announcements from McKesson ideaShare 2012, please visit McKesson’s online newsroom at www.mckesson.com/newsroom.