Small Town Pharmacy Creates Positive Change For Pilot Butte CommunityFor many years, pharmacies were nothing but a brief over-the-counter exchange between a pharmacist and their client. There was no inclination to develop any kind of relationship with an individual that was receiving treatment of any kind as these responsibilities were generally taken care of by a physician.

Shona Elder, owner of the White Butte Pharmacy in Pilot Butte, talks about the evolution of pharmacists and how their role has not only changed, but also expanded, “Pharmacists are taking their role as medication experts and expanding in the services they can offer their patients, using the same education they have always had. We work alongside physicians to help balance their workload by treating certain minor ailments, renewing prescriptions for specifi c chronic medications, and assisting in fl u vaccinations.

Our job has become more than just a simple over-the-counter exchange, developing relationships with our patients is just as important as treating them.” The ‘developing relationships’ aspect of patient care has always been one of Elder’s top priorities. “People don’t give a damn about what you know, until they know that you care,” Elder laments. “I was taught this many years ago as a pharmacy student working in a small town pharmacy where my mentor had these unbelievable relationships with his patients. That is something that has always stuck with me.”

Shona Elder, owner of the White Butte Pharmacy in Pilot Butte

http://www.newhorizonbusinesscentre.com306-775-9000 contact@newhorizongroup.ca

facebook.com/newhorizonbusinesscentre twitter.com/newhorizonBCen

Small Town Pharmacy Creates Positive Change For Pilot Butte Community

Elder has spent the past 15 years working as a pharmacist for corporate retail pharmacy and just recently made the transition to open an independent location of her own. “I grew up on a farm near a small town in Southern Saskatchewan, so opening up a pharmacy in Pilot Butte felt close to home for me. I know what it’s like to be a part of a small community where most people know each other and look out for one another, so I immediately felt a sense of overwhelming appreciation from the people of Pilot Butte and surrounding communities.”

Throughout her career, Elder has been a positive influence in the lives of many of her patients. She recalls one of the most rewarding moments, “Aside from my role as a pharmacist, I’m also a Certified Respiratory Educator meaning I can provide teaching and testing for conditions such as Asthma and COPD. I distinctly remember an individual returning for follow up after an initial education session and remarking that I had ‘changed his life’ because he went from being completely breathless and almost housebound to being able to attend rehabilitation and going to get his own groceries. His expression of appreciation was a reminder of why I do, what I do.”

As the rural communities surrounding Regina continue to grow, Elder is optimistic about the future of her business and the positive impact that the pharmacy will provide for the people that live in the area.

“I recently had an 80+ year-old gentlemen who has been a long-time citizen of Pilot Butte come in and express how thrilled he was that he could now visit a doctor and pharmacist within a short distance of his home and get a haircut if he chose, all at the same convenient location.” It’s those kind of simple joys that makes Elder truly happy about the decision to take her career back to small town roots. “By working in a small community, I’m able to bring more of a personal touch to my work and create the lasting relationships that are meaningful to me. I look forward to being here for many years to come.”