GOUVERNEUR, N.Y – Kinney Drugs congratulates Steve Simpson, supervising pharmacist of Store No.11 in Barre, Vt. and Rachel Simmons, customer experience supervisor in Store No. 28 in Dolgeville, N.Y., on being named Favorite Pharmacist and Favorite Employee of 2020.

Steve Simpson

Each September, in preparation for October’s celebrations of American Pharmacist Month and National Employee Ownership Month, Kinney Drugs invites customers to vote for their Favorite Employee and Favorite Pharmacist. The votes were tallied October 1, and the surprise award presentations took place Tuesday, October 13.

Steve Simpson began his career with Kinney Drugs by interning at the Barre store while attending the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston. He is now a 23-year veteran with the company and has served in his current position as Supervising Pharmacist since 2004.

When asked what it meant to be named Favorite Pharmacist of 2020, Simpson replied, “I am very humbled to be in the company of so many “local legends” who have previously won the award. It is an impressive list of truly great pharmacists. It was also such an honor to be recognized by the patients I serve – to know that the help and service I provide makes a difference, and that they took the time to go online and vote for me. I am both grateful and inspired.”

In his honor, Kinney Drugs will donate $1,000 to the Northeast Slopes Ski Area.

Rachel Simmons has been an employee of Kinney Drugs for 11 years. She began as a customer experience advocate in 2009 and was promoted to customer experience supervisor in 2012.

Rachel Simmons accepts award.

Simmons said that she was “pretty speechless” when she realized she won this award and her first thought was, “No Way.” When asked what the recognition means to her, she replied, “That I should continue my hard work and focus on making my customers happy. Thank you for voting for me. I will continue to make you proud!”

In her honor, Kinney Drugs will donate $500 to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital at St. Luke’s and $500 to the Herkimer County Humane Society.