Southeastern District Candidates for 2020-21 Board Election

Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name.

VOTING BEGINS ON NOVEMBER 1, 2020. LOG IN TO THE BOARD'S LICENSURE GATEWAY TO ACCESS YOUR PROFILE. YOU WILL SEE A VOTING TILE UNDERNEATH YOUR NAME.

 



Andy Bowman

Danielle Andreasen Central 2019

Andy is the Director of Continuing Professional Education and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences.  Andy began his journey in pharmacy in 1985 at age 16 with a part-time job at Revco Discount Drug in his hometown, Roanoke, VA. After being mentored by a number of community pharmacists, he decided to pursue his dream of becoming a pharmacist at Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences where he graduated with his Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 1993.  His professional career began at Kroger Pharmacy in Roanoke, Virginia, and he went on to develop an extensive retail management and pharmacy operations background while serving as a District Pharmacy Coordinator for Kroger Pharmacy. In addition to his responsibilities at Kroger, he hosted a weekly pharmacy question and answer radio show on WFIR 960AM called “Ask Andy”, and he served as a part-time pharmacist at Lewis-Gale Hospital.

After a seven-year tenure with Kroger, he returned to his alma mater in 2000 to serve on the faculty.  Andy teaches courses in Pharmacy Law and Ethics, Patient Counseling, and Pharmaceutical Calculations. He is also an APhA Certified Immunization Trainer. Outside of the classroom, his administrative responsibilities include coordinating continuing professional education programs for pharmacists around the state and nationally.  Andy has continued his involvement in radio broadcasting. From 2007 to 2011, he hosted a monthly pharmacy radio show at WFNC 107.3FM in Fayetteville. In 2011, he coupled his love for collegiate athletics and his experience in broadcasting when he was asked to serve as color commentator for the Campbell University Fighting Camels football games, a role he still enjoys today.   While serving on the faculty at Campbell, he continued to practice pharmacy part-time.  Since 2002, Andy worked part-time at Walgreens, Cardinal Health Remote Order Entry (ROE) Division, and Realo Discount Drug in Lillington, NC.  In 2019, he founded Bowman Pharmacy Consulting, LLC to support his growing consulting and expert witness work.

Andy has held numerous leadership positions in North Carolina including: North Carolina Professionals Health Program (NCPHP) Board of Directors, Board Chairman and Board of Directors for the North Carolina Pharmacist Recovery Network (NCPRN), Vice-President of the Harnett County Pharmaceutical Association, Board of Directors for the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists (NCAP), Board of Directors for the Harnett Health Foundation and Board Chairman of the Directors at Cape Fear Christian Academy in Erwin, NC.  Andy considers his election to the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy in 2015 to be his greatest professional accomplishment.  He served as President of the Board of Pharmacy from 2018 to 2019.

Andy is passionate about Health Literacy, Patient Counseling, and Pharmacy Law and Ethics.  He has presented numerous continuing education programs on these topics. Andy has a broad perspective on the profession of pharmacy and is well-informed regarding the challenges that our profession faces including: third party reimbursement, pharmacist work conditions, health literacy, patient counseling, pharmacy manpower issues, pharmacy technology and pharmacy security and safety.

"It has been the greatest honor of my professional career to represent you and serve the profession of pharmacy during the past 4 years.  I humbly ask for your vote for a second term.

Respectfully, Andy"

J. Andrew “Andy” Bowman, Pharm.D., R.Ph.

 



Wesley Hickman

Wesley Hickman photo


My name is Wesley Hickman and I am running for a seat on the NC Board of Pharmacy.  I’m the owner and pharmacy manager of Hickman’s Pharmacy in Leland, NC.  I received my PharmD from the Eshelman School of Pharmacy at UNC-Chapel Hill in 2005. My career in pharmacy started at the age of 16 as a pharmacy cashier with Revco in Shallotte, NC.  During that time, I’ve seen retail pharmacy evolve from the classic role of providing medications to the current environment where we utilize our expanded clinical skills while still performing our primary function of dispensing prescriptions.

The changes that have occurred in our practice over the last 20 years are the driving force behind why I am seeking this seat.  Until December 2018, I worked for a large chain pharmacy and was overwhelmed by the year to year dwindling of pharmacist and technician staffing in relation to prescription volume.   I began to feel there was no way to safely practice pharmacy in an environment where one pharmacist is required to check over 500 prescriptions, provide immunizations and clinical services during a 13 hour shift.  So, I decided to leave and open my own practice.  My journey that year was highlighted in the recent New York Times article by Ellen Gabler entitled “How Chaos at Chain Pharmacies is Putting Patients at Risk.”

My goal in running is to ensure that a voice is present on the Board that asks questions to determine “where low staffing is contributing to patient harm and prescription errors” in situations that come before the Board.  Where there is clear evidence of an unreasonable burden placed upon an individual pharmacist, the permit holders should be held responsible to the fullest extent allowed by law.  Currently, legal precedent in the NC Court of Appeals establishes pharmacy permit holders “shall not allow pharmacists to dispense prescription drugs at such a rate per hour or per day as to pose a danger to the public health or safety”.  As a Board member, I would use my voice to bring this law and legal precedent to ensure proper oversight is exercised to protect the citizens of North Carolina.

In my personal time, I still remain active in many pharmacy related activities. I currently serve as a member on the Brunswick County Substance Use and Addiction Commission.  We are currently working to bring an inpatient treatment facility to help fight addiction in our area.  I have also served as the pharmacist advisor for the Brunswick County Drug Treatment Court for over a decade.  I live in Leland with my wife, Ashley and our 5 year old son, Will.  We also have 2 dachshunds  (Lawson & Carter) and a goldendoodle (Jordan) to keep us busy around the house.

I hope you hear some of your own story in my journey and I can earn your support.  Vote for Wesley Hickman to be the newest member of the NC Board of Pharmacy!          

 



Eric Lee

Ashley Duggins Central 2019

My name is Eric Lee and I am running for the Board of Pharmacy Southeastern District seat. I am a 2016 PharmD graduate from the Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences. Prior to and during my time at Campbell, I worked for Warren Drug Co. in Benson, North Carolina. After graduating from Campbell, I completed a PGY-1 community pharmacy residency with Walgreens and Campbell University before taking a position at Coats Pharmacy. Since starting at Coats Pharmacy in 2017 we have opened a new pharmacy location in Angier, expanded immunization and other non-dispensing clinical services such as point-of-care testing, implemented medication synchronization, and created a compliance packaging program. In essence, our pharmacy is now able to offer a fully integrated approach to patient care in collaboration with local providers.

During my time working as a student I became passionate about patient care and the future of pharmacy as an integral part of the healthcare team. Early on I was introduced to the idea that pharmacists are not just drug dispensaries but can and should contribute to patient care in expanded clinical roles under their scope of practice. As a resident I was able to further utilize my clinical skills within the patient care process to care for patients and advocate for new collaborative pharmacy services with providers. After residency I was eager to return to local independent pharmacy and have since been working at Coats Pharmacy and our new location Angier Family Pharmacy, which opened in 2018. In order to expand my clinical skills, I received my board certification in ambulatory care (BCACP) in 2018 and plan on pursuing further certification and credentialing to better care for our patients. This year we were proud to serve the people of Coats and Angier during the COVID-19 pandemic by integrating free same day delivery, curbside pickup, medication synchronization, and point-of-care COVID-19 antibody testing under a CLIA certificate.

I am a current member of the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists (NCAP) and enjoy advocating for the profession as it relates to sustainability and the expanded clinical roles of future pharmacists. My wonderful wife Morgan and I make our home in Willow Spring and look forward to welcoming our first born into the family later this year.

As an actively practicing pharmacist, I am confident that, if elected, I will contribute greatly to the Board’s mission of serving the public as it relates to the practice of pharmacy.

Eric Lee, PharmD, BCACP

 



Bronson Lowery

Nicole Eastman Central 2019

My name is Bronson Lowery and I would appreciate your support in my endeavor to represent the Southeastern District of the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy. I graduated from Campbell University School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2013.  As a member of the Native American Lumbee Tribe and originally from the Southeastern district, I experienced the impact and consequences a lack of access to adequate health care has on the quality of life on a vulnerable, disaster prone community. I will tirelessly strive to ensure the safety of each individual while collaborating with my peers on creative solutions to the issues we face as a profession.

While at Campbell University, I acted as the Diversity Coordinator for the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. I planned, developed and implemented strategies to recruit and retain students from culturally diverse backgrounds, which ultimately increased the diversity in health care professions. I remained an integral member of the Diversity Board and the various programs that were founded from its roots. This opportunity was fundamental in becoming the first student liaison for the NCAP Disaster Preparedness Task Force.  I remain committed to diversifying healthcare to decrease health care disparities in our communities. 

Many patients in our district already experience limited access to healthcare but this access is further strained during natural disasters. Having extensive training in Preparedness, Medical Evacuation, Triage and Transfer, I am passionate and committed to the continuously evolving landscape of disaster preparedness in NC. 

I have gained experience in both retail and hospital pharmacy.  Recently, I opened an independent pharmacy in Red Springs, NC that has allowed me to extrapolate my experience and knowledge to improve the quality and access of health care in my community.  At inception, I envisioned a pharmacy response team capable of delivering various services tailored to decrease disparities in our community.  This ground floor planning has been fundamental in our rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic and has motivated my expansion of the model to other locations.

I have the experience, passion and work ethic to fulfill the role of representing the Southeastern District of the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy and I will remain committed to the use of innovative and strategic planning to further protect public.

Thank you,
Dr. Bronson Lowery, PharmD MSCR

 



Robert (Joey) McLaughlin

Angela Smith

My name is Robert (Joey) McLaughlin, Jr., RPh. I have been a practicing community pharmacist since 1983, graduating from UNC, Chapel Hill. I am seeking your vote for the seat on the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy for the Southeastern District Region.
 
I began working in pharmacy at the age of 16 at Johnson Drug in Jacksonville, NC.  This job continued throughout high school and my summers home from college. Early on, I observed countless interactions of true patient care.  My pharmacist mentors were involved in the patient’s life not only from a pharmaceutical need but true patient care in their daily life.  This experience held such an impact on my life, it led to my pursuit of an education in pharmacy, more specifically, my career path in community pharmacy.  I knew then I would spend my life working to impact others as I witnessed throughout my mentorship.

I am the owner of Realo Drugs and Carolina Home Medical along with my wife, Tammy. We live in Trenton, a farming community in Jones County.  I currently serve as the Pharmacy Manager at our corporate location in New Bern.

Over the last 22 years, we have opened 17 retail pharmacy locations and 6 home medical locations serving patients in 10 counties. In addition, we have Realo Extended Care Pharmacy (a long term care division), Realo Veterinary Pharmacy (the state’s first veterinary-exclusive pharmacy), and Realo Specialty Care Pharmacy. We have developed these additional “specialized” areas of pharmacy to meet the ever-changing demands of today’s pharmacy customer and to combat the ever-increasing challenges that the industry faces as a whole.  My involvement in the development of each of these divisions has given me broad knowledge in many facets of the industry.  I see firsthand the challenges that we face as pharmacists on a daily basis.  For this very reason, working to promote and protect the interests of North Carolina pharmacists is my personal commitment. 

I was fortunate to have served two five-year terms on the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy from 2006 through 2016 for the Southeastern District.  I served as president of the NCBOP for two of these ten years.  It was an honor to represent North Carolina’s pharmacists on a state level and in some cases on a national level involving NABP.  

I have also had the honor of representing our pharmacy profession on several other boards, including:  North Carolina Pharmacy Recovery Network (NCPRN), North Carolina Physician’s Health Program (NCPHP), Craven County Hospice, Cape Fear Community College Pharmacy Technician Program, NC Mutual Wholesale Drug Company, Epic Pharmacy Network, Inc., Jones County Health Department Pharmacy Consultant, Merci Free Clinic, NCBOP Durable Medical Equipment Subcommittee, and NABP Task Force.  My involvement in these committees has enabled me the opportunity to help grow, enhance, and strengthen our profession.

While challenges will always exist, I do believe the best days are ahead for our profession.  I strive to be a voice that pushes or expands our practice into the future.  Our ability to touch so many lives on a daily basis puts us in a unique position.  We must strive every day to maintain the virtuous title, “the most trusted healthcare professional.”

It would be an honor to have your vote for the seat on the NCBOP for the Southeast District. I will do my best to represent the pharmacists of North Carolina and the practice of pharmacy.

Thank you

Joey McLaughlin, RPh.

 



Justin Sparrow

Tim Weber Central 2019

My name is Justin Sparrow, and I graduated from Campbell University School of Pharmacy in May of 2016. Since then I have managed 4 different pharmacies including a rural pharmacy, a HIV specialty pharmacy, and a compounding pharmacy. My diverse experience helps expand my perspective on the implications different regulations have on certain sectors of pharmacy. I am currently working on my pharmacy regulatory specialist certification to enhance my understanding of pharmacy statutes and rules. A career in pharmacy is more than just protecting the public from unsafe pharmacy practices. Pharmacy is about serving the public by providing optimal pharmacy and healthcare services to the public with the purpose of delivering positive outcomes to patients. As a board of pharmacy member, I intend to serve the public by devoting my efforts to help adopt rules that are designed to empower pharmacists to deliver the best care possible to every patient. I am a devoted husband and father of five beautiful children, and as time passes, I understand more the value and importance of utilizing time wisely. A pharmacist’s time is extremely valuable, and most importantly to the patient. That is why one of the most important strategies to improving the value of service provided to patients is discovering ways to maximize the amount of time patients must interact with pharmacists directly. Time constraints are the leading factor to why pharmacists struggle to consistently counsel patients in a proactive manner without being prompted by the patient. Time constraints also deter pharmacists from consistently offering routine vaccinations and other healthcare services that are proven to positively impact the health of the public. The roles of pharmacists in providing healthcare is expanding rapidly, and with the increase in demand for these services we must find ways to save pharmacists time so they can meet these demands not only in a safe way, but in a way that provides the best service to the patient. While serving as a North Carolina board member I intend to balance the potential negative impacts pharmacist time constraints have on the public verse the potential for added safety of any rule proposal, and I will consistently solicit feedback from my peers as well as welcome unsolicited feedback while I serve. I hope to have the opportunity to work with the other board members to try to improve pharmacy practice in our state, and I hope that all of you vote.

Thank you for your support.

Justin Sparrow, PharmD NCBOP candidate 2021 SE district

Pharmacy Manager Walgreens #7801, Clayton, NC 27520

 



Irv Trust

Irv Trust photoMy name is Irv Trust and I am a resident of New Hanover County in Wilmington, NC.  For the past 42 plus years I have been actively involved in the practice of Pharmacy and hold licenses in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and North Carolina.  I would be honored if I could count on your support for a position on the NC State Board of Pharmacy.

My experience ranges from Community/ Retail pharmacy in which I have always been the Lead Pharmacist/Pharmacist in Charge (Costco [presently], CVS, Shop-Rite, Pathmark, Drug Emporium), an Out Patient Pharmacy in a major suburban Philadelphia hospital, Mail Order Pharmacy (AARP) in Warminster, PA, Long Term Care (Neighborcare of King of Prussia, PA), DME (Maplewood Pharmacy in PA), Infertility, Hospice, and Diabetic Management (Abington, PA), and PBM experience through Medco Health Solutions and NC Department of Welfare (formulary compliance).

As you can see, I could bring a wealth of experience from various backgrounds to the NC State Board.  My history in Pharmacy gives me a very broad perspective on the needs for protecting the public and our profession as guided by the NC State Legislature. Along with this extensive clinical experience, I am currently a Life Member of the Temple U School of Pharmacy Alumni Executive Board (over 25 years of continuing service) in which I held the following positions:  Secretary (2 years), Treasurer (2 years), VP (2 years), and President (two 2-year terms). Currently, I am on the Student Affairs Committee which provides an Alumni Outreach to the current students at Temple University School of Pharmacy.  Other Pharmacy organizations included CE Coordinator for Montgomery County (PA) Pharmacists Association and Wake County (NC) Pharmacist Association.
In addition to my life-long commitment to Pharmacy my volunteer activities include past president of the Oreland Lions Club of PA, Eastern Montgomery County Vo-Tech Authority (PA), FEMA certified for disasters, George Washington High School Alumni Association in Philadelphia, PA (served as President and Vice Pres. for 2 terms), and Deborah Heart and Lung Hospital of NJ.

Below are some references with respect to my pharmacy practice:

[excerpt…]   In my opinion, Irving Trust is the embodiment of the highest level of community practitioner whose responsibilities to his patients and profession animate his life's work. I consider him highly intelligent, professionally motivated, and a most trustworthy exemplar of the archetype we wish to nurture in our profession. I am pleased to support without reservation, the reciprocation of his license to practice pharmacy, in the full knowledge that he will be an excellent asset to whatever organization invites his participation, and hope that you provide him the opportunity to do so.

Sincerely,
Peter H. Doukas, Ph.D.
Dean (Retired)
Temple University School of Pharmacy/Philadelphia, PA 

*******************

[excerpt   ]   I am pleased to provide a reference for Irv Trust. I have known Irv for more than 25 years hold him in the highest professional regard.

Sincerely,
Michael R. Cohen, RPh, MS, ScD (hon), DPS (hon), FASHP
President
Institute for Safe Medication Practices/Horsham, PA

 

 


END OF CANDIDATE LIST

 

Please contact Kristin Moore or Jay Campbell at the NC Board of Pharmacy office if you have questions about the election.