Successes - RxOwnership

Embracing Independent Pharmacy Ownership

By Stephanie Tucker On October 30, 2020 · Add Comment · In Successes

An interview with Nisha Saini Zala, PharmD Owner of Lynwood Community Pharmacy, West Alondra Medical Pharmacy, and Wilmington Pharmacy located throughout Southern California What inspired you to become an independent pharmacy owner? Nisha Saini Zala: In general, I wanted to be able to do more within the profession. I wanted to provide meaningful work within [...]

The path to independent pharmacy ownership

By rxown On June 18, 2020 · Add Comment · In Successes

An interview with Dr. Ghada Zuhair Abukuwaik, RPh. Owner of CureMed Specialty Pharmacy located in Clifton, New Jersey. What attracted you to working in the pharmaceutical industry? Ghada Zuhair Abukuwaik: My father has a medical center in Dubai, where I was raised. He also had a pharmacy center within his clinic. So, most of my [...]

Finding freedom in pharmacy ownership

By rxown On October 23, 2019 · Add Comment · In Successes

An interview with Dr. Shahida Amar-Choudhry, PharmD, Long Island University, 2001. Owner of Palms Pharmacy located in Tampa, Florida. What attracted you to working in the pharmaceutical industry? Shahida Amar-Choudhry: Everything was patient care. That has always been the focus for me. It’s all about the patients. I’ve been a pharmacist for 19 years now, [...]

Finding joy in multi-pharmacy ownership

By rxown On April 3, 2019 · Add Comment · In Successes

An interview with Beth Hoopes, RPhOwner of Cornerstone Apothecary located in Van Horne, Belle Plaine and Marengo, Iowa What attracted you to working in the pharmaceutical industry? Beth Hoopes: I think it was my ability to work with people. I knew I wanted to be part of the medical field, but not in a [...]

Growing the family business to achieve success

By rxown On February 12, 2019 · Add Comment · In Successes

An interview with Sarah Sumner, RPhOwner of Barnes Arcata Family Drug, located in Arcata, CA. What attracted you to working in the pharmaceutical industry? Sarah Sumner: My father originally owned the pharmacy that I currently work in, so I was always around the pharmacy after school growing up or making deliveries with my mom. As [...]

Utilizing the pharmacy community for ownership success

By rxown On July 18, 2018 · Add Comment · In Successes

An interview with Christine Lee-Wilson, Pharm.D. Owner of Professional Pharmacy, located in Baltimore, MD. What attracted you to the pharmaceutical industry? Christine Lee-Wilson: Patient care is what initially attracted me to the profession. I grew up in a small community and I experienced firsthand how resourceful the independent pharmacist was in my town. As a [...]

The leadership track

By rxown On February 27, 2018 · Add Comment · In Successes

What attracted you to the pharmacy business?
"I decided on the pharmacy path when I was in high school because of my love of math and science. It was a very straightforward journey for me." [...]

The independent spirit of entrepreneurship

By rxown On November 29, 2017 · Add Comment · In Successes

When Pam Marquess, owner of Marquess Group, which operates 11 pharmacies in Georgia and Tennessee, was asked when she knew she wanted to be a pharmacist, she said, “When I was seven years old.” [...]

Life lessons: Balancing business and community

By rxown On August 22, 2017 · Add Comment · In Successes

To be a leader, you need to be a good communicator, be open-minded, be enthusiastic, take initiative, be proactive, be flexible, and be organized. [...]

The ladder to pharmacy ownership

By rxown On February 3, 2017 · Add Comment · In Successes

After earning her pharmacy degree outside of the U.S., Ellie Darj secured a position within a large retail chain pharmacy. She quickly climbed the management ladder and focused on operations and the broader scope of the pharmacy industry, including [...]

Our ownership advisors

Chris Cella, R.Ph.
National Vice President
About Chris

Chris Cella, R.Ph.

Ownership Advisor – National Vice President

Chris has more than 35 years’ experience as a practicing pharmacist and pharmacy operations manager. Chris is a graduate from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science. He served as a Board member for the New Jersey Drug Utilization Review Board and the New Jersey Council of Chain Drug Stores. During that time, Chris helped to establish a formulary for the State Funded Prescription Plans in New Jersey. He has practiced in all pharmacy settings, including independent, retail chain, long-term care, hospital as well as managed his own business specializing in M&A’s.

Chris’s role in multiple pharmacy acquisitions makes him a valuable guide in assisting those interested in making their ownership goals a reality.

Kacey Glinka
Northeast Region
About Kacey

Kacey Glinka

Ownership Advisor – Vice President, Northeast Region
Northeast Region: CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV

Kacey has been with McKesson since 2015 in various sales roles working with both health systems and retail pharmacies. Before joining the RxOwnership team she was the Retail Sales Executive for the Maryland, D.C., Virginia, and North Carolina markets working directly with independent pharmacy owners to best position themselves for success. She graduated from William Paterson University with a bachelor’s degree in Professional Sales. As a member of the RxOwnership team Kacey consults with pharmacy owners to provide individualized business valuations as well as guidance for buyers, sellers, and owners looking to start up a new pharmacy.

Kacey is passionate about helping independent pharmacy owners grow and thrive in today’s rapidly evolving healthcare industry. She is a valuable guide in assisting those interested in making their ownership goals a reality. Kacey also leads RxOwnership’s Women in Pharmacy program.

Ryan Riviello
Southwest Region
About Ryan

Ryan Riviello

Ownership Advisor – Vice President, Southwest Region
Southwest Region: AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX

Ryan has been helping independent pharmacy owners run their businesses efficiently since 2009. Ryan’s previous role as an Inside Sales Manager allowed him the opportunity to help customers understand their purchases and rebates, as well as provide program support and industry insights to help them be successful business owners. Ryan led the process of multiple startup pharmacies and has assisted with numerous store acquisitions. Whether it’s buying, selling or starting a pharmacy, Ryan’s extensive experience working with independent pharmacies makes him a valuable asset to your ownership aspirations. Prior to joining McKesson, Ryan spent four years working in finance. Ryan graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Management.

Ryan’s success in supporting and guiding pharmacists through their day-to-day operations, in addition to his finance background, makes him a valuable asset in assisting those interested in making their ownership goals a reality.

Nick Secrest
North Central Region
About Nick

Nick Secrest

Ownership Advisor – Vice President, North Central Region
North Central Region: IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI

Nick has been with McKesson since 2009. Before joining the RxOwnership team he was a Retail Sales Manager in the Eastern Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Missouri territories working directly with independent pharmacy owners to develop and execute strategic growth plans. He graduated from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Sales. As a member of the RxOwnership team Nick consults with buyers, sellers and owners looking to start up a pharmacy.

Nick’s role in multiple pharmacy acquisitions makes him a valuable guide in assisting those interested in making their ownership goals a reality.

Cory Miller
West Region
About Cory

Cory Miller

Ownership Advisor – Vice President, West Region
West Region: AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY

Since joining McKesson in 2011 Cory has been deeply engaged in all aspects of independent pharmacy operations. Cory began his career as a retail advisor for the San Diego, Orange County and Las Vegas markets, assisting owners develop and implement growth initiatives within their pharmacies.

Today, as the West Region’s Vice President for RxOwnership, Cory is intimately involved in all aspects of consulting with buyers and sellers including but not limited to business valuations, market analytics, individualized matching services, cash flow analysis, and financing assistance. Since joining the RxOwnership team in 2014, Cory has facilitated more than 100 ownership transfers. Cory’s experience in pharmacy acquisitions makes him a valuable guide in assisting those interested in making their ownership goals a reality!

Gary LeBlanc, R.Ph.
Southeast Region
About Gary

Gary LeBlanc R.Ph.

Ownership Advisor – Vice President, Southeast Region
Southeast Region: SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, TN

Gary has over 20 years’ experience practicing retail pharmacy. Gary is a graduate from the University of Louisiana Monroe College of Pharmacy. Gary is experienced in both retail front end and pharmacy management and has held various roles in numerous acquisitions. Gary is passionate about helping others succeed and achieve their dreams. As a member of the RxOwnership team Gary consults with buyers, sellers and owners looking to start up a pharmacy.

With his extensive management background in pharmacy operations and pharmacy acquisitions, Gary is a valuable guide to assist those interested in making their ownership goals a reality.

Our start-up specialists

Martin Dennis, R.Ph.
Start-up Specialist
About Martin

Martin Dennis, R.Ph.

RxOwnership Start-up Specialist

Prior to joining McKesson, Mark worked as a pharmacist for twenty-five years. During this time, he opened, owned and operated multiple pharmacies. Mark’s background as both a pharmacist and pharmacy owner has provided him the insight to help customers better understand the start-up process.

Mark graduated from the University of Oklahoma, College of Pharmacy.

Leslie Williams
Start-up Specialist
About Leslie

Leslie Williams

RxOwnership Start-up Specialist

Leslie has been with McKesson since December 2013 and has spent the last 5 years working across US Pharma within Customer Experience Operations. Her McKesson Career spans departments such as; RNA and ISMC Customer Care, Credit Research, Sales Solutions, and Quality Assurance. Before joining the RxOwnership Startup team, Leslie was responsible for providing time-sensitive customer interaction evaluations for shared services departments such as McKesson Pharmacy Systems (MPS), as well supplementing call assessments with on-going Effortless Customer Experience training.

Madelyn Lupo
Start-up Specialist
About Madelyn

Madelyn Lupo

RxOwnership Start-up Specialist

Prior to joining McKesson, Madelyn worked as a Sales Performance Consultant where she was responsible for creating and implementing training for her sales and onboarding team. Madelyn has a passion for unifying teams and motivating others while continuing to grow her personal knowledge in business. As a Start-Up Specialist for RxOwnership, Madelyn’s goal is to create a pathway for success for pharmacist owners.