October 1, 2022
How many years has your pharmacy been in business?
Roden-Smith has been in business for 75 years. My family has owned it since 1996, and I bought it from my dad nearly four years ago.
What has been the most significant change within your pharmacy over the past five years, and how has it helped you serve your patients better?
Medication synchronization has been by far the most significant change within our pharmacy. We have sold out to this model of managing prescriptions and taking care of patients. This service helps ease many of our patients’ frustrations, allowing them to make fewer visits to the pharmacy while also receiving comprehensive care that includes monthly check-ins and updates to their regimen.
What is your favorite thing about being a pharmacist?
My favorite thing about being a pharmacist is being able to build relationships with my patients that allow me to be available and helpful when medical concerns arise. Additionally, I would say that because there is only so much that one person or pharmacist can do, and only so many relationships they can foster, I also really enjoy building systems and efficiencies within the pharmacy so that anyone on our team can step into that role as necessary and best serve our patients.
What makes your pharmacy unique?
While Roden-Smith Pharmacy has a storied 75-year history in Clovis, what makes us unique is our commitment to being engaged in the most modern services that pharmacies can provide by offering forward-thinking solutions while also continuing to hold true to our grassroots, local connections to the community by maintaining sincere relationships, knowing our patients, and being involved in the community we serve.
What do you think your patients love most about your pharmacy?
I think our patients appreciate the balance we strike between kindness and efficiency. Though they have other options, our patients come to Roden-Smith because they prefer a pharmacy staff that’s engaged in their well-being and is also fast and efficient with their needs.
What are your favorite ways to get involved with your community?
I am involved in my community in a variety of ways. They each serve a different purpose and are fulfilling for different reasons. I enjoy coaching and having that impact on young men. I enjoy joining civic discourse to make Clovis better, as I’m often seeking ways to contribute to meeting local needs. Also, our church is a central part of our family life. Each of these roles and activities have a different impact, and I enjoy them for different reasons!
What excites you most about the future of independent pharmacy?
Meaningful prescriptive authority that would allow pharmacists to step in and provide urgent care from behind the counter is what excites me most about the future of independent pharmacy. This would allow patients to experience immediate relief from their medical inconveniences. When we can test, prescribe, and dispense on the spot for something like the flu, strep, or a UTI, our patients’ lives will be less disrupted by everyday illnesses — and they can avoid complex and backed-up primary care offices. This is especially true in New Mexico, where we have an extreme shortage of both specialty and primary care providers.
What does Locally Loved mean to you?
Locally Loved means being a part of a community that cares for each other. It is more tangible than doing business with a large corporation, because it benefits your local community.
