NEW ORLEANS — A Health Mart in Oregon has been honored as the 2017 Pharmacy of the Year by McKesson Corp.

Nicole Winnen of Mac Prescription Shop

Nicole Winnen, the owner of Mac Prescription Shop, a Health Mart pharmacy in McMinnville, Ore., is slated to receive the award at a special ceremony on July 13 during the opening general session at the McKesson ideaShare 2017 conference in New Orleans.

McKesson, the parent of the Health Mart pharmacy network, said the Pharmacy of the Year award recognizes independent pharmacies that are delivering superior patient care.

“Nicole Winnen of Mac Prescription Shop Health Mart is a shining example of how community pharmacies can thrive in today’s environment and why McKesson and Health Mart continue to invest in progressive strategies, innovative solutions and clinical services to support independent pharmacies,” Mark Walchirk, president of McKesson U.S. Pharmaceutical, said in a statement.

Mac Prescription Shop has been a McKesson customer since 1970, the year the pharmacy was founded, and a Health Mart member since April 2010. Winnen bought Mac Prescription Shop from her father and his partner at age 24, and the store has many loyal customers dating back to the early 1970s.

“A lot of people appreciate being able to shop locally with a pharmacy that has deep ties to the community,” Winnen stated. “As an independent pharmacy, we have the ability to offer extra services for our customers, and they really enjoy the fact that they can walk in and talk with a pharmacist and ask questions regarding their medications and their care.”

Pharmacy staff at Mac Prescription Shop spend time at several nursing facilities talking about diabetes and how to properly use blood glucose meters. They also provide immunizations, both in-store and on location with several employers that offer workers flu shots to help reduce absenteeism.

“We don’t wait for patients to come into the pharmacy. We are willing to go to them to be there at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. during shift change to give vaccines,” according to Winnen. “Not only do we earn their trust through relationships, it’s also been a great way to acquire new business.”

Through its medication synchronization program, Mac Prescription Shop Health Mart has more than 250 patients picking up their scripts on a scheduled basis, and more doings at the long-term care facilities where the pharmacy has relationships. Pharmacy staff call patients monthly to check if they’re adhering to their medication regimen.

Winnen attributed the transition to an appointment-based model as helping to improve patient care. The pharmacy also leverages compliance packaging and provides additional adherence support through medication therapy management (MTM) services. McKesson said the Health Mart pharmacy is performing in the top 20% in all adherence measures.

At the urging of a local physicians practice, Winnen opened a second pharmacy four years ago. She also operates a durable medical equipment (DME) business directly across the street from Mac Prescription Shop.

“Being part of Health Mart has helped us by giving us brand recognition and by providing some tools and training resources that we wouldn,t have had otherwise,” she commented. “It’s nice that Health Mart respects the individuality of independent pharmacies and encourages each pharmacy to run its business the way it wants based on the unique needs of their community and patient base.”