The healthcare industry is definitely changing, and it can be a daunting task for many patients to understand the system and to ensure that they are receiving the best and most appropriate care. As we all know, the system has several parts that must work together to be effective. So I decided to stop in at Moorhead Drug Company in the Center Mall and visit with pharmacist Wanda Foley to see how pharmacies fit into the industry.
Wanda is originally from Corvallis, Montana and graduated from Purdue University’s School of Pharmacy and has been in the profession for 16 years. Fortunately for the many customers of Moorhead Drug, Wanda has been with the company for over 13 years providing customers with personalized care, medication counseling, and customer prescription service. A mother of two sons ages 24 and 22, Wanda and her husband enjoy living and working in Moorhead.
Not well known to many customers is that she was a captain in the United States Air Force and served at several overseas posts including Iceland. She was assigned to the 964th AWACS, Airborne Warning and Control System which is a mobile, long-range radar surveillance and control center for air defense mounted on a specially modified Boeing 707 aircraft. Being one of two females on the crew prepared her well for dealing in the world of retail.
Moorhead Drug was home for Wanda from the very start. She was impressed with the advantages of being involved in a locally owned independent pharmacy. Moorhead Drug has been serving customers since 1992 and provides free local delivery of prescription medicine. The store selection includes medication setup, diabetic shoes, US postal services, and a wide selection of gifts including Hallmark greeting cards.
Wanda enjoys the many responsibilities of being on the front lines of healthcare: from care for patients to providing medication information and preventing medication-related problems. She explained that pharmacists are healthcare professionals with specialized education and training who perform various roles to ensure optimal health outcomes for their customers through proper medication use. As pharmacists see patients on a more regular basis there is an increased opportunity to assist early in healthcare decisions. Wanda appreciates the opportunity to combine her love of the technical aspects with the satisfaction of helping others with their health needs. Understanding the importance of proper medication and the dangers of over medication, she encourages anyone to contact her for a medication review.
Wanda stated that even though medicines play an important role in treating certain conditions and diseases, they must be taken with care. She reminds us that any unused portions of medicines must be disposed of properly to avoid harm as some are fatal with just one dose if they are used by someone other than the person for whom the medicine was prescribed. To prevent accidental ingestion by children or even pets, Wanda encourages those with unused medicines to bring them to Moorhead Drug for proper disposal.
It is quite apparent that she enjoys her role in the health care system providing the vital medicine and information to her customers on a daily basis. It is obvious that the customers appreciate her professionalism and down to earth care as she related that there have been numerous times that customers have expressed their appreciation by sharing cookies and snacks. “Our customers are more than just customers, Wanda said, they become our friends and neighbors.
Wanda Foley, PharmD. RPh
Pharmacy/Store Manager
Moorhead Drug Company
218-233-1529