FROM BLUFFTON ICON - There's an interesting, long-standing link between Ada, Ohio Northern University and pharmacies in Bluffton.
Greg Conkling past owner of Greg's Pharmacy, Bluffton, purchased the pharmacy from John Skelly (1942 ONU pharmacy grad) in 1986 and owned it for 26 years.
Conkling was an ONU pharmacy grad.
Deb Retterer, a pharmacist at Greg's since 1989, who retired at the end of 2016, was also an ONU pharmacy grad.
Deb's replacement is Bluffton native, Andrea Williams, also an ONU pharmacy graduate.
Here's the story of the latest Ada-ONU pharmacy connection to Bluffton:
Always interested in health care, Andrea once shadowed her aunt – a pharmacist – while in high school. She attended college in Ada as an eventual Ohio Northern University pharmacy grad.
Her first pharmacy job was as a technician at downtown Lima’s Rite Aid during the summer of 2009.
In her third year at ONU she knocked on Greg Conkling’s door, seeking a pharmacy internship, which she obtained in 2010.
In December 2013, during her final pharmacy year, Clark’s offered her a position in its Van Wert pharmacy. She graduated in May 2014, was married the next week and one month later took and passed her state board exams.
Then, in January 2015 she started working part-time as a Greg’s pharmacist. By summer she was full-time.
Who’d guess that she’d eventually return home, and just after her 28th birthday become the primary pharmacist and manager of Greg’s Pharmacy.
So, why return to your hometown to make your career?
Says Andrea: “My job here just fell into place. I knew many of the customers (as a college intern). I like working for the community. Plus, the staff has a common goal of helping people.”
Stating that Conkling was a great mentor, she says, “Greg is the best. He was great to work with. He never put the blame on anyone. He led by example. I want to take time to relate to customers like he did,” she said.
“My job is to explain all aspects of drugs to our customers. We they leave the store I want to know about, and understand everything about their drug – from the side effects to options they have for the drugs prescribed,” she said.
“I’m very thankful for my position in Bluffton and I could be here a long time,” she adds.
“You’ll start to see some different faces here,” said Andrea. “I’m really excited about this.”
More ONU pharmacy connections
Greg’s Pharmacy is now partnering with ONU. In the arrangement, ONU will supply Greg’s with a pharmacist. One of the first will be Jessie Hinson, assistant professor of pharmacy practice.
Very soon, customers will see her behind the counter one or two days a week. In addition, pharmacy students in training will also work at Greg’s. A pharmacy resident will be here every other Saturday.
Andrea added that through the ONU arrangement the downtown pharmacy will host some health fairs and other programs to assist customers.
Andrea is married to Kevin Williams, a 2008 Pandora-Gilboa and Bluffton University graduate. The couple lives in Bluffton.
