I first dipped my toes into health care as a candy striper when I was a teenager. I loved it — taking care of people, being a small part of their healing journeys. Later, when a friend opened a nursing home pharmacy called Geri Care Pharmacy, I started working there and fell head over heels for pharmacy work. AfterGeri Care closed, I reconnected with my childhood friend Claire, whose father owned Wheeler Pharmacy in Lexington, Kentucky, and the rest is history.

I was working as a certified pharmacy technician at Wheeler Pharmacy when an opportunity opened up in compounding. I had no clue what I was stepping into, but I went to PCCA's Technique for Technicians training (now CORE Compounding Training), which was a game-changer. I think I was the only one there who had never even looked at a compounding formula before! But that experience lit a fire in me, and by September 2007, I officially became the lead compounding technician at Wheeler, and I've been here ever since.

Two Pharmacies, One Big Mission

Wheeler Pharmacy has a rich history in Lexington, Kentucky. Claire's father started the original pharmacy in 1958 after graduating from the University of Kentucky. In 2012, we had the chance to expand and separate our services by opening a dedicated compounding pharmacy just across the street from the original location.

Today, the original Wheeler Pharmacy still runs as a traditional retail pharmacy, while our custom compounding location focuses solely on creating personalized medications for both people and pets. In fact, I think we're the sole compounding-only pharmacy that serves both humans and animals in Lexington!

The Personal Touch That Makes All the Difference

One thing that’s always been important to me is patient connection. Every patient who works with me gets my business card with my cell number. I want them to feel like they have direct access to someone who cares. I think that’s a big reason patients choose us over bigger chains — they know we truly care.

Our pharmacy setup is intentionally nontraditional. When patients walk into Wheeler's Custom Compounding, my desk is the first thing they see. It's not about counters and barriers — it's about creating a welcoming environment where patients feel at ease. That personal touch sets the tone for the kind of care they’re going to receive.

No Two Days Are the Same — And I Love It

Every day at the pharmacy is a little bit different, which is one of the things I love most about my job. I start my mornings by processing our "to-do" list in the software system and reaching out to patients to confirm if they still need their refills — we don't just automatically fill them, because circumstances can change. We also call or text when prescriptions are ready, helping to keep patients informed and involved in their care.

Some days, we're whipping up hundreds of suppositories. Other days, it's lollipops, HRT creams or troches. The variety keeps it exciting — no monotonous pill-counting here! You truly never know what you'll walk into, and that unpredictability keeps me energized.

Precision Matters: Safeguarding Our Patients

Compounding requires an incredible level of precision and attention to detail. We rely heavily on our integrated software and scale systems, which have built-in hard stops for margins of error. If the weight isn't right or the wrong chemical is scanned, the system won't let you move forward.

Each master formula is detailed enough that any trained technician could walk into the lab and complete the preparation without error. Quality assurance is a top priority for us — certain dosage forms even require mathematical verification to ensure consistency. The safety measures we have in place today are incredibly advanced, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Helping Doctors Think Outside the Box

One of the challenges we still face in compounding is a lack of awareness among doctors about what we can do. Many physicians aren't trained in compounding during their schooling, so they naturally stick to what they know.

I see my role as an educator, helping providers realize that customized solutions exist. Whenever I have the opportunity to visit a medical office, I do my homework first — nothing's worse than walking into a meeting unprepared. When doctors learn about the possibilities we can offer, they're often excited to collaborate.

Sometimes it's the patients themselves who advocate for compounding solutions. I once worked with a mom whose teenage son was prescribed promethazine in a rectal suppository — not ideal for a 16-year-old! I suggested a promethazine gel instead, which could simply be applied to the wrist. After some advocacy on the mom's part, the doctor changed the prescription, and everyone was happier (especially the teenage boy!).

A Patient Success Story I'll Never Forget

One of the most memorable patients we've ever had started working with us when she was just three weeks old. She was born without the enzyme needed to process sugar and was misdiagnosed early on with liver cancer.

Once she was correctly diagnosed with fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase deficiency, we had to custom-make almost every medication for her, because traditional formulations contained sugars or fillers that could have harmed her. We collaborated closely with PCCA to vet every ingredient, down to the tiniest excipients.

Today, she’s 17 years old and thriving. Her mom often tells us, "Without you, we wouldn't have her." Being a part of her journey has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career.