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ORLANDO — Good Neighbor Pharmacy, a national independent pharmacy network offered through Cencora, convened more than 3,500 independent pharmacy owners and other partners to celebrate its annual marquee tradeshow and conference, ThoughtSpot . Now in its 13th year, ThoughtSpot celebrates the Good Neighbor Pharmacy network and its pharmacists’ enduring dedication to improving the health and wellness of their communities, while paving the path of independent pharmacy forward.
Held this year at the Marriott World Center in Orlando, Fla., from July 24-27, ThoughtSpot provided a one-of-a-kind experience for Good Neighbor Pharmacy members to collaborate, learn and discover new resources to help them deliver patient care and advance the health of their communities. ThoughtSpot attendees had access to more than 30 continuing education sessions and certification programs this year, with sessions focused on helping them solve some of their most pressing challenges and opportunities to learn about technological integration and navigate regulatory developments.
In addition, participants had the option to engage in networking and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. This year’s programming focused on positioning pharmacists as a resilient force for community healthcare evolution and included sharing tools and information for new pathways for advocacy and enhanced connections with patients:
- The new Storytelling Studio in the Good Neighbor Pharmacy Marketing Lab provided expert information, best practices and hands-on training to help pharmacists learn how to tell their story on social media to drive awareness for their products and services and better connect with their patients and community.
- The United in Care workshop Convened pharmacy peers from across the country to share their unique strategies for community engagement and business growth – giving pharmacy members even more ways to connect with the communities they serve.
- The Legislative Lounge provided an opportunity for Good Neighbor Pharmacy members to engage with members from the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and Cencora team members and take action by learning about advocacy tools and resources, including tips on how to build effective relationships with elected and state officials, as well as guidelines for meeting with legislators.
“Year after year, I am blown away by the collaboration, dedication and perseverance that our Good Neighbor Pharmacy members demonstrate in their pharmacies, which is the focus of our celebration at ThoughtSpot,” said Jenni Zilka, SVP, Community & Specialty Pharmacy and President of Good Neighbor Pharmacy. “Our Good Neighbor Pharmacy members face unique challenges to improve health in their communities, and we are proud to support their efforts by helping them advocate for fair reimbursement and the ability to provide clinical services, so that they can continue this vitally important work. Our goal is to help our members become a resilient force for change. This year’s ThoughtSpot celebrates all we have accomplished together as we look forward to what more we can achieve.”
New Solutions to Support Pharmacy Patient Care Services
At this year’s ThoughtSpot, Good Neighbor Pharmacy unveiled several new patient care services solutions for member pharmacies. Designed to enhance clinical service workflow, expand patient communications and improve operational efficiencies, these new options allow member pharmacies to focus on what matters most – taking care of their patients.
Good Neighbor Pharmacy’s Inaugural Champions Awards
As retail pharmacies, particularly independents, increasingly focus on specialized patient care, community outreach and diversified solutions, they have become known as healthcare destinations within their communities. This year’s ThoughtSpot featured a new awards program, the Good Neighbor Pharmacy Champion Awards, recognizing pharmacies displaying leadership and excellence in the specialized areas of advocacy, clinical care and storytelling. The awards honor Good Neighbor Pharmacy members who support the improvement and advancement of pharmacy practice and serve as an inspiration to their peers.
- 2024 Advocacy Champion: Phipps Pharmacy of Huntingdon, Jackson, McKenzie and Waverly, Tenn. and Southaven, Miss. Phipps Pharmacy was recognized for its unwavering dedication to advocating at the local, state and federal levels in support of independent pharmacies and pharmacists across America. An advocate since his early days in pharmacy school, President and CEO Jay Phipps has worked tirelessly to achieve many impressive wins for independent pharmacy.
- 2024 Clinical Care Champion: Bayboro Pharmacy & Wellness Center of Bayboro, N.C. Bayboro Pharmacy & Wellness Center was recognized for its compassionate dedication to patient care. Pharmacist and owner Lori Altman, alongside her co-owner and husband, Jonathan, have adapted their pharmacy practice to the unique healthcare needs of their community, striving to improve health outcomes through offering critical patient care services including diabetes education, vaccinations, point-of-care testing and other disease-state management services.
- 2024 Storytelling Champion: HB Pharmacy of North Arlington, N.J. HB Pharmacy was recognized for its relentless commitment to increasing awareness of the pharmacy and the unique products and services it provides to patients. Co-owner Vince Bellitti initiated and led the marketing strategy to transform the pharmacy’s traditional, word-of-mouth efforts into a digitally engaging story for the internet age. Alongside his co-owners James Park and John Bellitti, Vince Bellitti has effectively attracted new patients, retained existing patients and positioned the pharmacy as the trusted healthcare destination in its community.
“Jay, Lori, Jonathan, Vince, John and James, as well as their peers that comprise the Good Neighbor Pharmacy network, are the stewards of their communities’ health,” says Tim Cernohous, SVP & President of Community Retail and Long-Term Care Pharmacy at Cencora. “ThoughtSpot offers a chance to not only honor the accomplishments of the Good Neighbor Pharmacy network but is also an opportunity for us to come together and advance our common goal of uplifting communities. As we adapt to the ever-changing healthcare environment, our dedication to supporting our pharmacy partners remains stronger than ever, ensuring we are ready for the future of health.”
