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ALPENA, Mich. — Kristine Spicer, pharmacist and owner of LeFave Pharmacy & Compounding, part of the Good Neighbor Pharmacy Network (GNP), was inspired to pursue a career in pharmacy at an early age.
Kristine Spicer, LeFave Pharmacy & Compounding, 1202 W. Chisholm St., Alpena, Mich. 49707, lefavepharmacy.com
“My first job, at the age of 16, was as a grocery bagger at a local store that housed a small pharmacy,” Spicer explains. “At that age where everyone starts to contemplate their future, I always had a strong inclination towards a career in health care due to my passion for helping others.”
However, at that time, Spicer didn’t want to pursue the lengthy path required to become a doctor.
“Little did I know, I would end up going to college that long anyway,” she laughs. “But at one point, someone asked if I was interested in a career in pharmacy. At that time, I envisioned the pharmacy my family went to, where an older man presided confidently behind the pharmacy counter. My response was a straightforward ‘No, that’s not for me.’ ”
However, her perspective shifted while working that same grocery store job, where she saw a young female pharmacist working behind the counter and was inspired.
“I transferred into that little pharmacy working as a cashier, all the while gaining invaluable career experience,” she says.
During college, Spicer intermittently worked at Walgreens to continue gaining experience — and fast-forward several years later, she crossed paths with her husband-to-be in pharmacy school. The two eventually laid plans to return to his hometown of Alpena, Mich., upon graduation, where his extended family (brother-in-law) owned an independent pharmacy and had an opportunity to employ them both.
“My husband graduated a year before me, and I stayed back at college to get my Pharm.D.,” she explains. “Upon moving into the working world as a staff pharmacist, I swiftly gravitated towards specializing in women’s health and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). In this little town of Alpena, I was not only the first female pharmacist to offer this type of education for female patients, I was the first female pharmacist in general.”
Spicer says the journey was initially filled with challenges as the world grappled with the news of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) and its impact on HRT usage. Nevertheless, they persevered, as the demand was high, and the reward was great.
Over the years, Spicer’s role underwent a significant transformation, with her progressing from pharmacist-in-charge to chief operating officer to owner in present day.
“I never saw myself being an owner of this pharmacy, but my deep enjoyment of every aspect of the work naturally led me to this outcome,” she says.
In addition to her specialization in women’s health and HRT, Spicer found great fulfillment in overall patient education, program development and leadership.
“I love taking a project from its infancy, nurturing its growth and watching its success,” says Spicer. “I have done this with numerous programs from immunizations and med synchronization to medication adherence packaging and my consultative services. I also see the importance of a good team, good leadership and communication, as well as what’s needed to be the best of the best, so that has truly been a highlight of my career.”
She believes that the pharmacy industry has been highlighted amidst the ongoing struggles with COVID.
“When the world shut down, pharmacies stayed open,” she stresses. “When patients found themselves unable to access their health care providers due to office closures, they leaned on their pharmacists for support. They learned what an asset their local pharmacy and pharmacists could be.”
Spicer is hopeful that this experience has underscored the fact that pharmacists are capable of far more than they are given credit for.
“We have the education, experience and, most importantly, the opportunity to play a vital role in a patient’s health care journey,” she emphasizes. “My hope is that this recognition continues to evolve, as there is so much more to be accomplished in our field.”
Spicer says that working on her business is a top priority — a non-negotiable.
“I am fortunate to have an exceptional team, including two other pharmacists who began as interns and have since grown into fantastic providers capable of running the business efficiently even when I’m not present,” she explains. “This, combined with the amazing program and product information GNP has given me, provides me the opportunity to step away from the store when needed to focus on projects that will enable us to move forward in this industry. GNP’s resources and continued support are a true asset to running a competitive pharmacy in this industry.”
According to Spicer, almost all the services she provides are gratifying – each in their own way.
“They’re important or meaningful to different patients for different reasons,” she explains.
In its compounding services, the pharmacy provides solutions to difficult scenarios, offering options that aren’t otherwise available. Services like med synchronization and packaging assist patients in the management of their medications and overall health.
“While we may not directly witness the impact, we all know that when patients are compliant they are healthier,” she adds.
She says that in her consultative services the gratification comes from the education and personalized attention she’s able to offer to individual patients who are struggling with health challenges.
“Unfortunately, many of them don’t receive this level of support from their health care providers due to time constraints and lack of specialization,” she says. “Being able to educate and empower patients regarding hormone imbalances, nutrition and exercise, as well as nutrition depletion is truly the highlight of my career.”
LeFave Pharmacy & Compounding’s offerings encompass a wide range of services, including medication therapy management (MTM) services, point-of-care testing (POCT), immunizations, medication packaging, compounding services, med synchronization, in-home vaccine administration and home delivery. In addition, the pharmacy extends personalized educational consultative services covering HRT, hair loss, nutrition and weight management support.
“Alpena has a larger aging population, which our medication packaging system has directly impacted,” Spicer explains. “While people of all ages use our packaging system, it has been instrumental in helping some patients stay in the comfort of their own homes longer, being independent as long as possible and easing the burden on caregivers. Our at-home vaccination program also allows convenience for our patients who cannot easily transport or commute, while also easing the caregivers’ burdens.”
Another key to the pharmacy’s success is its partnerships with physicians and other health care providers in the area, diligently forged by Spicer and her team to expand the reach of their services.
“Specifically, LaFave’s HRT program is coupled with the provider’s involvement. Currently, a good amount of our business is the result of provider referrals,” she says.
Spicer adds that education holds a special place in her heart and serves as the foundation of her career.
“Few things bring me greater joy than teaching patients how to improve their lives or about the array of treatment options available to them. My favorite part of my job is — again, the education aspect and being able to equip my patients with the information they need to live their best and healthiest lives.”
Daily, Spicer finds herself recommending supplements to patients to address a wide range of depletions and ailments. She lights up when recalling a recent breakthrough with a patient.
“Recently, during a causal conversation with a patient regarding headaches, I inquired about her experience using magnesium. She mentioned that magnesium consistently led to gastrointestinal issues,” recounts Spicer. “Seizing that moment, I explained that there were various forms of magnesium and provided her with a high-quality alternative to help her maintain adequate magnesium levels without encountering gastrointestinal issues.”
This simple interaction, Spicer says, demonstrates the valuable role pharmacists play in providing essential information to patients that may not be readily available elsewhere.
Throughout her career, Spicer has had the privilege of learning from many mentors.
“I consider every pharmacist who thinks outside the box to be a mentor, as I believe we all have a wealth of experience to offer one another,” she says. “However, there are two individuals who stand out as my primary mentors. One of them is the previous owner of my pharmacy and my brother-in-law, Chris LeFave. He has truly been instrumental in teaching me the ropes of effective leadership and business acumen. His influence continues to shape and guide me to this day, and I am lucky to be able to continue to lean on him when needed. Additionally, my husband is my closest mentor. He is an excellent pharmacist who truly gives meaning to customer service and patient care.”
“My success is not a product of my efforts,” she stresses. “It is deeply intertwined with and made possible by the support and wisdom of those around me.”
