inspiring pharmacist stories

Meet Dr. Bryan Sackey: Founder and President of Pharmacy Initiative LeaderS (PILs)

• 3 years ago
• Read Time: 6 minutes
• by The Inspiring PharmD
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“Are you sure you can get into pharmacy?”. That was the statement that nearly derailed me from being where I am today. Being in a position to not only impact healthcare but also to inspire and empower many future pharmacists who will undoubtedly progress the field.

For me, pharmacy was never in the front of my mind. I didn’t wake up one day as a child and say “yes, I must pursue pharmacy!” In fact, I thought the opposite. I always viewed the field to be quite uninteresting.

As a Ghanaian-born immigrant at the tender age of 5, I was just reveling in the “land of the free” that I heard so much about after finally “coming to America”. My only worldview of the health field was through my father who was a pharmacist…and that is where my initial disinterest in the field came from.

My father would come home looking stressed every other day with a new story about how another customer “decided to checkout their whole grocery list at the pharmacy window”.

And of course, can’t forget the “I ate my lunch standing up during my 5-minute break”. Needless to say, I was not exactly inspired to pursue this field however I was intrigued by the relatively high pay of pharmacy technicians. 

What Changed?

As I matriculated through my undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland College Park, I gained an interest in the health field; particularly with the major disparities in healthcare access between America and what I observed in Ghana.

 What stood out most to me was the final memories I had of my AIDs-stricken aunt as her health slowly deteriorated on her hospital bed because the facility didn’t have enough antiviral treatment for her. My initial disdain for the pharmacy field suddenly shifted when I got an opportunity to work as a pharmacy technician at Kaiser Permanente.

  It was the first time I’d seen pharmacists work in an expanded capacity beyond simply “counting tablets.”

Granted, I respected the role of retail pharmacists however the ability for pharmacists to have direct patient care in a clinic setting and actually make therapeutic prescriptive decisions particularly intrigued me. I thought to myself: “what if more pharmacists like these were available in Ghana when my Aunt was sick? Would that have saved her life?”

My interest was piqued, my grades, however, were not.

And so as I approached my junior year in undergrad, I confidently searched for potential pharmacy school programs to apply to despite a 2.4 GPA (yikes). Side note, I felt smarter than a 2.4 GPA however I also knew I didn’t apply myself fully due to a lot of unconscious self-doubt. At this time, I sought advice from my assigned school advisor on best ways to position myself in efforts to achieve my career aspirations.

Discouraged

I was met with words with which began this story: “Are you sure you can get into pharmacy?”.

I was subsequently told to perhaps look into being a lab technician instead. Meanwhile my white counterpart with a similar GPA (trust me, he was my study partner) was told by the same advisor that he should “absolutely apply for Med School.” The words I received from my advisor was discouraging and I felt maybe she was right – this field was not for me.

I eventually graduated with my BS in biology and for several months, it felt like I was simply “going through the motions” as I continued the mundane cycle of working as a technician at Kaiser and trying to determine what I can possibly do with my biology degree. It wasn’t until one day I decided to ask my supervisor (a Howard University alumni) why she chose pharmacy.

Encouraged Once More

She beautifully articulated to me that she’s seen enough health-related deaths in her community to not pursue such a field. I was instantly reminded of why I wanted to pursue this career in the first place and so the passion was reignited.  After I opened up to her my insecurities in making it in the field she simply replied “go for it, I believe in you”.

The mere words of support by someone who looked like me possessed so much power and was all the motivation I needed. 

Zeal Restored

After several rejections, Howard University decided to give me a chance. However for me, that was all I needed. One thing my mentor told me when I started was that I have to remember that I am starting from ground zero and it was my opportunity to create my own destiny.

This mindset was invigorating and was the catalyst from turning my 2.4 GPA to an eventual 3.9 in Pharmacy school as I graduated with summa cum laude honors – yea I couldn’t believe it either.

However, it was a display of the power of authentic support which had become a common theme in my journey thus far. And so that was the inception of the Pharmacy Initiative Leaders (PILs). I wanted to develop a system that is designed to empower, support, and build underrepresented communities who may be deprived of adequate resources.

Though PILs was conceived at Howard, my vision was to take it beyond the institution level and impact individuals on a national and eventually global scale. I was able to make this possible with the bold efforts of three other pharmacy leaders whose passion aligned with mine: Dr. Joshua Blackwell, Dr. Onye Ononogbu, and Dr. George Okpamen.

What Exactly Is PILs?

PILs is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation which seeks to establish quality connections within the pharmaceutical profession and serve as a premier resource for the success of aspiring pharmacists.

With the exciting progressions of pharmacy today, our purpose is to empower underrepresented individuals to succeed at every stage of their pharmacy journey through authentic support and connection. With services such as coaching and professional webinars, our vision is to exponentially increase the diversity and inclusion of pharmacists, both locally and globally, in all facets of healthcare.

“We aspire to do this by illuminating, cultivating, amplifying, connecting, and building our communities AT EVERY STAGE. ”

What Happened To Me After Pharmacy School?

Through my didactic training at Howard, I knew I wanted to pursue a career which fulfilled me in all that I endeavor to achieve. Furthermore, I always believed that a system which incorporated pharmacist with prescriptive authority was the key to healthcare optimization in this country. This led me to pursue postgraduate training via a PGY-1 (at the Micheal E. DeBakey Veterans Helathcare System) and eventual PGY-2 training.

The field of Mental Health was one that I always felt pursued me. I always seemed to find the most purpose whenever I worked in this realm. The first psychiatric patient under my care in residency was a 21-year-old black male, whose interaction solidified my decision to pursue this field. He was constantly in and out of the psych unit and it wasn’t until my encounter with him in which he finally felt heard in his own words.

“That moment was powerful for me and I have not looked back since.”

I went on to complete my PGY-2 in psychiatry at the South Texas Veterans Affairs where I was able to hone the concept of treating the person and not the condition. Today, I currently serve (not “work”, serve) as an outpatient clinical pharmacy specialist in psychiatry at that very institution.   

If you could go back in time, what will you change?

If I were to go back in time, I wouldn’t change anything however I would simply tell my younger self to “keep going, I believe in you”. I’ve learned that we are our own greatest inhibitors and once we get out of our own way, we truly surprise ourselves of the people we can become.

If you get stuck during your journey, ask yourself “The Whys”. Why are you pursing what you’re pursing? If you let your passion navigate, you will land at your destiny. Life is difficult and success may at times seem blurry however by embracing sources of support and approaching life with a limitless mindset, we can truly WIN AT EVERY STAGE.

For more information about PILS, visit:  www.pilsconnect.com

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The Inspiring PharmD

Clinical Pharmacist, blogger, mom of a fabulous LITTLE girl and wife to a wonderful little (oops) TALL man!

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5 famous pharmacists to inspire you

Thinking of studying pharmacy at university? Then maybe one day you could join the ranks of these inspirational pharmacists and change the world as we know it...

Great courses for this subject

Although we might not really think about it, pharmacists and their work have had a dramatic impact upon the world in which we live. 

Considering taking a pharmacy degree? Check out the available courses here!

Of course, if you’re thinking of studying on a pharmacy degree programme, pursuing a career in pharmacy isn’t your only way of making a difference.

Below are a list of 5 famous people, all whom have experience within the medicine and pharmacy industry and have made a dramatic impact on the world today...

1) Alexander Flemming

Contribution:   The discovery of penicillin Prior to his discovery of penicillin, Alexander Flemming already had a reputation for excellence in medical and chemical research. He actively researched potential drugs with antiseptic properties after watching many soldiers die of sepsis due to infected wounds during World War 1.

However, his discovery of penicillin was completely accidental. When discussing his find, Flemming stated, “When I woke up just after dawn on September 28, 1928, I certainly didn't plan to revolutionise all medicine by discovering the world's first antibiotic, or bacteria killer, but I suppose that was exactly what I did.”

Penicillin is currently used to treat a wide number of ailments and is one of the most popular drugs prescribed on the NHS.

2) Jesse Boot

Contribution: The Founder of Boots Pharmacy Although Boots Pharmacy was initially started by Jesse’s father John Boot, it was Jesse that turned the company into the global phenomenon that it is today.

The initial Boot’s philosophy in 1877 was to provide “health for a shilling”. making it affordable for those on a lower income. The Nottingham store (the first Boots Pharmacy) was incredibly popular among local residents. Goods were bought in bulk, at a much cheaper price than the brand’s competitors and so could be sold at a considerably lower price.

To date Boots Pharmacy is still a thriving business and is still synonymous with quality products at competitive prices.

3) John Pemberton

Contribution : Created Coca-Cola

One of the most popular drinks to date, Coca-Cola was invented by trained pharmacist John Pemberton in order to counteract his own addiction to morphine. Initially the drink contained alcohol, kola nut and damiana and was marketed as a ‘Pemberton’s French Wine Cola’.

However, by 1886 there were increasing concerns about the alcohol content (but oddly, not the cocaine) within popular drinks such as Coca-Cola. Pemberton then decided to experiment with other ingredients such as base syrup and carbonated water.

4) Hubert Humphrey

Contribution : USA Vice President (1965 – 1968) 

Of course, with a degree in Pharmacy the sky is your limit and one man who proved this was American Vice President Hubert Humphrey. Although he never quite made it to president, Humphrey not only held a licence to practice pharmacy, but was also a political force to be reckoned with.

Serving under Lyndon B Johnson Hubert Humphrey was known for his scepticism over the Vietnam conflict in the late 1960s and his desire for social reform. In 1968 he ran for Presidency and lost – by less than 1% of the popular vote– to Robert Nixon.

5) Friedrich Serturner

Contribution : Discovered Morphine

As a pharmacist’s assistant, Friedrich Serturner was the first chemist to separate morphium (morphine) from opium. In the 18 th century opium was a widely available and addictive drug (and as you may have hears it wasn’t only popular for its medical properties).

Although his discovery was made in 1805, it wasn’t until after 1815 that morphine became widely available for use. It is due to Serturner’s discovery and continuous research into the effects of morphine that we are able to harness its pain relief qualities today.

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Why We Chose Pharmacy

 Prospective student pharmacists, Tevin and Rahul, share their reasons for pursuing a career in pharmacy.

Q: What first sparked your interest in pharmacy?

Tevin:  “I was inspired to pursue a career in pharmacy after seeing medical problems. Seeing people with diseases and sicknesses inspired me to get out there and help; that, and the fact that my mother went to school to be a nurse.”

Rahul:  “When I was in high school, I was interested in pursuing a career that dealt with chemistry. When my grandmother passed away, I began to consider careers in healthcare, especially those that used chemistry. At that time, pharmacy was appealing because I learned I could help those who were suffering from many different diseases by treating their illnesses or providing a better quality of life through medications. I did not want anyone to suffer like my grandmother, so I followed my path towards pharmacy.”

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Rahul:  “I think pharmacy is unique in that it appeals to everyone differently. Pharmacy is right for me because one of my passions is teaching and helping others, and through patient counseling, I have multiple opportunities to educate, teach, and help someone have a better quality of life at the end of the day.”

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Join your host  Ijeoma  to learn more about the exciting career paths available after graduating from Pharmacy school, everything from nuclear pharmacists to consulting pharmacists.

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How i’m making over $1,000 per month publishing books (without doing any writing).

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1 – why i pursued a non-traditional residency and why i’m so excited to pivot into a specialty pharmacy role, what listeners are saying, essential listening for all pharmacy students.

This is such a great platform for female pharmacists of color! I love the variety of pharmacy professionals in different fields. The speakers are always genuine, candid, and overall #careergoals. Also, the podcast emphasizes why diversity in pharmacy matters and encourages its listeners to find different ways to leverage a PharmD to fit your ideal career.

The podcast I wish I had when I was a student…

I have had the pleasure of listening to the stories of many Pharmacist stories on this podcast. I have smiled, laughed, cried, and I have been entertained, empowered, as well as inspired by the stories of these amazing black women in Pharmacy. These were the stories I wish I had when I was in school and in my early years as a pharmacist. I also have to take some time to talk about the host Ijeoma. She does her homework on her guests and allows them enough time to share their story and still captures the essential bits for her listeners. Thanks for the work that you are doing for the profession of pharmacy and for the black community and please keep up the good work!

Why didn’t I know about this sooner? These fantastic women are now friends in my head. Thank you, Ijeoma for bringing their stories into the light and inspiring the next generation!

Inspirational podcast

I am not a big podcast listener, but this podcast may change me completely. I am hooked! It’s incredible hearing from women of color in the field of pharmacy and their experiences. I love how diverse these women. It’s inspiring to hear their wisdom and hear the things they accomplish in pharmacy. They make me want to be a better pharmacist. I highly recommend this series!

Very Eye Opening

I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing these stories from my melanated pharmacists. Their journeys resonate with so many of us who are creating our own paths in this field. It’s so inspiring to realize we as a people can make such change! Thank you for sharing stories on this platform!

I was put on this podcast this past summer and it really has been such an inspiring medium. The different professionals speaking have much to say about grit and consistency and I am really thankful that Ijeoma took the dive to produce and share this. It easily was a huge motivator in my pursuit of a more fulfilling pharmacy career

Representation Matters

Representation is important. This podcast provides a platform for black women pharmacists, no matter where they are in their career, to be encouraged, motivated, and inspired. There is something for everyone. As a practicing pharmacist for 12+ years, this podcast has inspired me to push myself to pursue interests and passions I’ve had but haven’t acted on. It has opened my eyes to areas I wasn’t aware of or know about. For me, it confirms, ‘it’s never too late to pursue your goals’. Thank you Ijeoma!

Amber Leigh Johnson

As an African American male pharmacist, this podcast has been such a blessing. It’s a great feeling to learn of so many of my sisters achieving in this profession and I love hearing colleagues use the vernacular that feels like home and conveying their passions in manner that is exciting and great to listen to. Thank you for creating this platform. I have informed many of my colleagues and interns at my institution to tune in!

A great learning experience!

This podcast is an amazing learning experience. Not only does it enlighten you on the different fields of pharmacy, but it also educates you on the role pharmacists have in every aspect of our lives. I also love that this podcast isn’t exclusively for pharmacists or pharmacy students as others can relate to the many topics that are discussed in the podcast!

A Gem to the Seeker of Knowledge

This podcast has been extremely well thought out and consistent in its attempt to anticipate, respond to and deliver on the needs for the current and rising generation of pharmacists, regardless of gender – although, I love that the focus is in black females! The level of execution, professionalism and cultural response on this platform is has been successfully implanted at every level. I look forward to each episode each week and I learn something new every time – even as a semi- seasoned practitioner. Amazing job, Ijeoma!!

Dr. Ericka V. Hylick

Why I Love Being a Pharmacist: Honorable Mentions

Our essay contest celebrating American Pharmacists Month resonated with pharmacists who love what they do. Here are their stories.

American Pharmacists Month has come and gone, and pharmacists everywhere are going about their jobs as usual: with strength, determination, and a passion for helping people. This was evident in every single contribution to our "Why I Love Being a Pharmacist" essay contest . Many who participated said they were grateful for the opportunity to reflect on the unique challenges and rewards of a career in pharmacy.

The editors of Pharmacy Times would like to keep the positive energy flowing by sharing more stories from readers who told us how truly happy they are to have found their calling. With the hectic holiday season in full swing, it's easy to lose sight of why you chose to become a pharmacist in the first place. As you tackle day-to-day challenges behind the counter, we hope reading these pharmacists' stories will help you remember what drives you.

Be sure to tell us your own story in the comments!

"Why I Love Being a Pharmacist" Contest: Honorable Mentions

• Kathleen Jane Cross, PharmD

Erin Smith, RPh

• Matthew Lennick, PharmD

Carrie Burke, PharmD

• Ed Pitz, RPh

Matthew Bledsoe, PharmD

Michael Ostrowsky, RPh

• Michelle Gualtieri, RPh

I was a young mother with 2 small children when I decided to change from an art to a pharmacy degree. Maybe it was because I spent a lot of time at the pharmacy picking up asthma medication for my older son, Michael, or seizure medication for my younger son, Matthew. In my heart I believe it is because that pharmacist was compassionate and caring to a young mother of children with asthma and epilepsy, and it was my turn to give back.

I love being a pharmacist because of a young man whose pain medication I refused to continue to refill as I told him I was concerned for his health with long-term use. I told him to get a second opinion and suggested some options for him. He came back 2 years later to thank me and to tell me that he was off medications and able to work again.

I love being a pharmacist because of the burly old man whom I talked into having his feet checked at one of my diabetes days. His father had a history of lower extremity amputations. He told me later that I saved his life.

I love being a pharmacist because of the young woman whom I convinced to stop her laxative abuse because electrolyte abnormalities could lead to major health issues. She was so thankful to find someone who cared.

I love being a pharmacist because my education taught me to recognize that the old man in the deli was having a stroke, and I was able to get immediate attention for him. When I visited him in the hospital, he was doing well.

I love being a pharmacist because of the young woman who brought her new antidepressant prescription to me and told me she was scared to take it because of what others would think. We talked about social stigma and counseling. She left with her prescription filled and a smile.

I love being a pharmacist because of the woman with anxiety issues who was comfortable enough to bring her dog’s ashes to the pharmacy because she couldn’t stand to leave them at home. Although I admit I really didn’t want to see how the shingles on her “backside” were healing when she lifted my gate and came into my pharmacy to show them to me.

I love being a pharmacist because of the woman whose husband had Parkinson’s disease, who thanked me for writing down a number off the radio about a new study for patients like him. She wrote a very nice letter in my honor which helped boost my morale.

For me, being a pharmacist is about neither salary nor prestige; it is about giving back, but in doing so I have received so many rewards. I love being a pharmacist because of the lives I have touched, but most importantly, because of the lives that have touched me.

I can sum up my love of being a pharmacist in one word really: opportunity. I am not just talking about the financial or career path opportunities. I am talking about the social, cultural, educational, and enriching opportunities that can otherwise be easy to miss in everyday life.

I am fortunate enough to work with a multidisciplinary team that teaches me something new each day. Pharmacists are a trusted link between patients and their doctors. This position affords us a unique perspective into many facets of healthcare. I, literally, learn something new every day and I am so appreciative of that.

I work with patients from any background imaginable which allows me, and forces me, to learn and practice cultural sensitivity. The population is becoming more and more diverse. Healthcare needs to adapt to this by embracing and responding to differences in patients’ expectations based on their culture. As a pharmacist, I am in the perfect position to strengthen the healthcare message by tailoring my recommendations to patients.

I also have to make decisions in my work each day that can have a real impact on patients’ lives. I evaluate drug interactions to avoid patient harm. I evaluate lab results and blood pressure readings, an extra safety net for clinicians at my organization, which allows me to recommend therapy changes to improve patient health.

Sometimes the patients are aware and thank me, sometimes they are not and don’t, but it is always a satisfying feeling when I have an impact.

The extraordinary thing, all of this is just the tip of the iceberg. I work in one segment of one organization where I get to have all of these experiences. I can only imagine what I could learn. There is so much more out there to explore, and as a pharmacist, I will always have that opportunity.

When I first read the question "What do you love about your job," I thought this would be easy. I would list off all the things that I liked about being a pharmacist, put my name on the top, and cross my fingers. That couldn’t have been further from the truth. Later that evening I sat down at my kitchen table with a college-ruled notebook and a green pen that I had borrowed from my daughter and started to write. I got as far as my name.

“Why do I love my job?” I asked myself. Was it because they pay me? That wasn’t a good enough reason. There were other jobs. Because I like my boss? That wasn’t a good reason either. After an hour of sitting there, staring blankly at that lined page, I realized I wasn’t going to come up with anything. I put the notebook away, and decided that I just wouldn’t do the essay.

But the question kept bothering me. I would spend the day just thinking about it, trying to come up with just one good reason. I would wake up at three in the morning, saddened that I may have wasted my life on a job I would never love, that I would look back on my life in thirty or forty years and think “God, what have I done with my life?”

I thought about what I wanted to be when I was ten. More than anything else I wanted to be a hero, like Captain Kirk or Nancy Drew. But that realization didn’t help at all. Now instead of being enthusiastic about my future, I was scared of my past. I was so scared of having betrayed my ten year old self, settling for something she wouldn’t have wanted. The TV didn't perform its magic of lulling me to sleep that night.

Two days (of an existential crisis) later, I was sitting in one of my nursing homes when a doctor came up to me. He started arguing with me over a recommendation I had written in regard to one of his patients. I had wanted him to consider lowering the dosage on a patient’s medication, and he didn’t want to. How infuriated he was that I kept solid in my recommendation. Sometimes it crosses my mind whether feeling passionate about something is worth the cost. But I believe in the impact my insight has on the medical team, and more importantly, my patients. I believe that every benefit has a cost and sometimes that means standing firmly in my conviction. He stormed off. An elderly woman sitting nearby wheeled herself over to the nurses’ station where I was sitting. She had been a patient of this nursing home for almost as long as I had been coming there, and we had talked a few times over the years.

Clearly she had been making note of the exchange between the physician and me. “Carrie,” she said, and I came over to her chair. “What was the doctor yelling about?” I told her it was nothing. Then she handed me a red paper flower. She had made it as a thank you. "For what?” I asked, but she was already wheeling down the hallway and I had work to finish.

That night my youngest daughter, who will be going to college next year, asked me how hard pharmacy school was; I wanted to know why. She just looked at me like I was stupid, and said “Because you help people, and I want to be like you.” She smiled, and went back to making a sandwich as though nothing had happened.

So I’m sitting at the kitchen table again, with a green pen and a notebook I borrowed from my daughter, writing this after all. Because now I know what I love about being a pharmacist. I love helping people, I love keeping them safe, being their advocate and improving their quality of living. And most of all, I love knowing that in my own way, I am the hero that my ten year old self always knew I would be. I am a consultant pharmacist, and I wouldn’t change that for the world.

Sorry mom, I can’t make it to the wedding. We are short staffed this weekend and I have to help out, and oh by the way, remind dad to take his medication tonight at least an hour before dinner. Honey, I’ll be late for our get together tonight. There’s been an emergency trauma admitted and I’m helping out in their ICU. Please give Bill and Ann my best and remind Ann to see her doctor, I think the fever may be drug related. Hey Tammy, dad won’t be at the cheer competition today, the computer at work has crashed and it’ll take quite a while to catch up, and tell mom to try adding Tim’s medicine tonight to some ice cream so it will taste better and not hurt his tummy.

There are two common threads in the tale above. One is that the pharmacist in this story misses out on a lot of family activities. The second is that through the disappointment, that same pharmacist is not languishing in a pity party, but rather thinking of the well-being of family and friends.

In my nearly 40 years of service I have had the extreme pleasure and the equally extreme disappointment of experiencing the highest highs and roughest lows this life can pass out. Missing out on those family and social moments has occasionally left me with doubt about my chosen profession. But seeing the results of my efforts in a room full of family and friends who have overcome a variety of illnesses due in some small way to my help and intervention refills my spirit and casts out those doubts.

Pharmacy has been a unique blessing to me. The missed life events have made me more acutely aware of the value of family and friends. The often overlooked role my colleagues and I have played in the world of healing and care is a constant source of immeasurable peace and comfort to me in times of internal turmoil. Every time I see a grandchild born, or I see a friend undergoing the ravages of chemotherapy, I know in my heart that at some point the intervention of a caring pharmacist will ensure their safety and security, and I am comforted by that thought. I have laughed, I have cried, and I have lived with my patients. As deeply as I have touched their lives with my pharmaceutical skills, they have touched my life with their stories and their battles.

So I guess that if you ask me why I love being a pharmacist my best answer is that pharmacy is not just a job or a profession, it is an all-encompassing lifestyle. It is for the strong of will and conviction and for the soul tender enough to appreciate the deep-rooted pain of human suffering. Pharmacy has nourished my mind and my soul. It has made me a more caring, considerate, and tougher person. Pharmacy has not been my chosen career, pharmacy has been my life.

When I graduated pharmacy school in 2008 I stood with my classmates as we recited the “Oath of a Pharmacist” in unison. There is one particular vow that stood out to me as we recited the Oath and I embrace this vow, “I will apply my knowledge, experience, and skills to the best of my ability to assure optimal outcomes for my patients.” I love being a pharmacist because it allows me to use my knowledge, abilities, and talents to improve patient outcomes in the community hospital in which I am employed as the pharmacy clinical coordinator.

Being a pharmacist is more than dispensing medications to the ultimate user. Being a pharmacist means that I can ensure medications are being used appropriately to achieve optimal patient outcomes. I am heavily involved in the improvement of the medication-use system in the facility at which I work. In the few years I have worked as a pharmacist I have developed a pharmacy residency program, pharmacy technician based medication reconciliation program, and a medication safety team. I have worked hard to develop these programs since they greatly impact patient outcomes and improve the safety of the healthcare we deliver as pharmacists.

The profession of pharmacy gives me the knowledge and ability to discuss medications with patients and their families. I enjoy the one-on-one conversations I have with patients in their rooms on a daily basis, not only the talks about medications but the important debates like ‘Krispy Kreme’ or ‘Dunkin Donuts’. The admission into the hospital is a very stressful time for patients and their family members. A lot of the stress comes from not understanding the treatment they are receiving. As a pharmacist, I can help decrease some of the stress of the hospitalization by explaining the treatment regimens, potential side effects, desired outcomes, and what to expect throughout the hospitalization in terms of medication therapy.

I am also able to utilize my knowledge, skills, experiences, and values to prepare the next generation of pharmacists. I enjoy training future pharmacists and pharmacy residents at Bristol Regional Medical Center and watching them deliver compassionate care to our patients. The students and pharmacy residents bring new perspectives and talents while continuing the honored tradition of providing high-quality care of the professionals they follow. Mentoring students and pharmacy residents at Bristol Regional Medical Center has given me further opportunities to demonstrate the importance the profession of pharmacy has on improving patient outcomes.

My lifelong goal was to find a career that would allow me to work directly with the public and make a difference. I enjoy seeing the impact that I have, as a pharmacist, on the quality of care our patients receive. I enjoy seeing the fruits of my labor and how my work pays off in achieving optimal patient outcomes. I love being a pharmacist!

My love affair with pharmacy began over 40 years ago when I volunteered for a three-year enlistment in the United States Army. I was sent for an intensive 20 week course in pharmacy. I loved watching soldiers, their wives and their children coming in sick and walking by a short time later, well. It gave quite a rush to think that we in the pharmacy had a part in this transformation!

Later, I applied to and was accepted at the then Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science. Six years later after marriage and a child, I got my first license and was finally a registered pharmacist!

Now, after many years practicing as a community pharmacist, I feel I can finally verbalize why so many of us so love our profession. We make a real difference in people's lives. We literally save lives by warning physicians about potential problems and outright mistakes.

We are the entry point into the healthcare system for the innumerable people who can't afford or don't trust ERs or walk in clinics.

We perform triage on a daily basis, taking histories and recommending OTC products where appropriate, insisting on physician visits when indicated.

We routinely assist physicians in recognizing potential cost/compliance issues in seniors and uninsured patients by contacting them and letting them know about less expensive, therapeutically equivalent drugs.

We help 'doctor shoppers' avoid serious problems by alerting their physicians to overuse or inappropriate combinations of drugs.

We are trusted. We are respected. People are grateful for the drug information we supply. We help fight drug abuse. We make a difference in people's lives and are a force for good in our communities. Despite the frustrations of insurance problems, out-of-sorts patients, and all the other things which may come our way, its nice to leave after our shift knowing we have practiced our profession and in all ways, lived up to the Hippocratic Oath to which we all swore.

Space does not allow the mention of all the reasons I love the practice of pharmacy. These are just a few that come to mind. See what you can add!

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Pharmfluencers: The Inspiring Stories of Pharmacy Entrepreneurs Paperback – April 27, 2022

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Pharmfluencers: The Inspiring Stories of Pharmacy Entrepreneurs is a valuable resource for those looking for a meaningful, joyful career in pharmacy through entrepreneurship. For those feeling burnt out, feel they were made for more, or desire more financial freedom, Pharmfluencers draws on the wisdom of successful entrepreneurs to show you how to use the influencer model, monetize your knowledge, and impact pharmacy practice. Hear their entrepreneurial journey, methods they use to monetize their knowledge, insightful knowledge, and their advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. From clinical consultants to fertility coaches, to real-estate experts, learn from inspiring individuals who have taken the leap and have built meaningful businesses that benefit the pharmacy profession.

Meet the Authors:

Gregory Alston, PharmD

Anne Arvizu, PharmD, FASCP, PCC

Alex Barker, PharmD

Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

Asha Bohannon, PharmD, CDCES, CPT

Kimber Boothe, PharmD, MHA

Derek Borkowski, PharmD

DeLon Canterbury, PharmD, BCGP

Kelley C. Carlstrom, PharmD, BCOP

Lauren Castle, PharmD, MS

Jerrica Dodd, PharmD

Shannon Eubanks, PharmD

Lisa Faast, PharmD

Christina Fontana, PharmD, CHC, CHT

Michelle Fritsch, PharmD, BCGP

Tony Guerra, PharmD

Nate Hedrick, PharmD

Brittany Hoffmann-Eubanks, PharmD, MBA

Cory Jenks, PharmD

Ashlee Klevens Hayes, PharmD, MHA, CELDC

Christina Madison, PharmD, FCCP, AAHIVP

Christine Manukyan, PharmD, MS

Megan Milne, PharmD, BCACP

Kim Newlove, RPh

Angela Orr, RPh

Sue Paul, RPh

Rajinder Rai, PharmD

Simone Sloan, RPh, MBA

Natasha Stamper, PharmD

Ken Sternfeld, RPh

Blair Thielemier, PharmD

Tim Ulbrich, PharmD

Jamie Wilkey, PharmD

• Print length 300 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Holon Publishing / Collective Press
• Publication date April 27, 2022
• Dimensions 6 x 0.78 x 9 inches
• ISBN-10 1955342555
• ISBN-13 978-1955342551
• See all details

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About the author, product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Holon Publishing / Collective Press (April 27, 2022)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 300 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1955342555
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1955342551
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.23 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.78 x 9 inches
• #2,567 in Pharmacies
• #36,281 in Leadership & Motivation

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New Black-owned Avondale pharmacy offers cheaper prescription drugs, personal care

This pharmacist wants to be your healthcare provider.

When people get sick in Nigeria, their first stop is the pharmacy.  

“Pharmacies and pharmacists play a very important role in front line health care in Nigeria,” pharmacist Emmanuel Ayanjoke, who goes by "Dr. Manny," says of his home country.  

He remembers watching his father and his grandfather – both pharmacists – treat patients when he was young. “My dad knew everyone that came into the pharmacy,” he said.  

Ayanjoke opened his own pharmacy, Altev Community Pharmacy, in Avondale, in December.

Ayanjoke wants people to feel at home when they visit his pharmacy. He also wants them to understand that pharmacists can do more than fill prescriptions – just as his father and grandfather did.

A change in Ohio law that took effect in 2021 helps him fulfill his mission: Medicaid pharmacists are now recognized as healthcare providers. They can examine the big picture of a patient’s health and medications, treat both acute and chronic issues, and get reimbursed for the time they spend with patients. 

“It’s important that any pharmacist or even any medical provider knows their patients and has that relationship first,” said Ayanjoke.  

Avondale neighborhood faces worse health outcomes 

Altev Community Pharmacy serves Avondale , a neighborhood that is 81% Black, according to the 2020 US. Census , and faces worse than average health outcomes. This is despite being less than a mile from both University of Cincinnati Medical Center and Cincinnati Children’s hospital. 

Half of Avondale residents live in poverty, nearly twice Cincinnati’s average. Nearly half have high blood pressure and 17% are uninsured, according to the 2019 American Community Survey .

"I would say a good majority of our patients are Medicaid primarily because of our location," said Ayanjoke. Medicaid, a government program offering health coverage to millions of low-income Americans, plays a crucial role in the U.S. healthcare system. 

He chose the location of his pharmacy intentionally, to improve access to care. The most pressing medical issues Ayanjoke sees in Avondale neighbors, many of whom are low-income and elderly, are diabetes, hypertension and mental illness.  

Despite the prevalence of health issues, Ayanjoke aims to steer clear of overprescribing, especially for his elderly customers. 

“What you have now in the healthcare system is a lot of older adults overmedicated,” he said. “Especially when we look at the more complex patients, they are seeing multiple specialists. And often, all these specialists aren’t really working together.” 

The result? Patients who experience adverse effects from medications lead doctors to prescribe more medications, said Ayanjoke, without understanding the full picture of their health.  

Every day, 750 Americans aged 65 or older are hospitalized because of severe side effects from their medication, according to the Lown Institute , a nonpartisan think tank. 

“That’s why you need a pharmacist who spends that time,” said Ayanjoke, who offers pharmacy counseling through Altev Community Pharmacy. Local pharmacists have the training to sit down with patients, review their medical history, and determine what medications are safe for them. 

“You look at your history, look at why you’re taking it, and try to piece two and two together.”

Altev and other independent pharmacies cheaper than chains, Enquirer finds 

Ayanjoke not only champions local pharmacies for their personalized care, but also their affordability when compared to chains like Kroger and CVS.  

The Enquirer used Altev Community Pharmacy’s website , which allows users to compare medication prices across pharmacies by searching a specific medication and Zip code, to verify.

At Altev, 90 tablets of 20 mg lisinopril, a common medication for high blood pressure, cost $11.48 – slightly more than the city’s health department pharmacies' price of $10.23. Other local pharmacies offered the same supply for between $10 to $12. 

However, at Kroger, the same supply cost $21.14, and at CVS, it was $35.55. 

For metformin, a medication for Type 2 diabetes, there was a similar trend: a 180-tablet supply of 500 mg was priced under $12 at Altev and other local community pharmacies. At Kroger, it cost $25.30, while CVS charged twice as much as Kroger at $51.99. 

Comparing Zoloft, a commonly prescribed drug for depression and anxiety, CVS charged nearly four times the amount that Altev Community Pharmacy charged.

Consumers can also compare prescription prices and access coupons through GoodRx , where dollar amounts vary from those displayed by Altev's website. However, searching for the same drugs reveals that Altev's prices are still lower than Kroger's and CVS Pharmacy's – even after applying GoodRx coupons.

Local pharmacies such as Altev follow a pricing benchmark set by the federal government , which is based on surveys of pharmacies nationwide.

All in all, Ayanjoke wants people to feel comfortable in his pharmacy, the opposite of “that feeling of being in a foreign place” that he says many people have in hospitals and doctors' offices. He believes in the importance of forming personal connections with patients, an ethos passed down from the pharmacists in his family. 

“When you know people on that level," he said, "they open up to you.” 

Stoicism is more popular than ever. Too bad it’s so incoherent now.

A wave of gurus has mined the philosophy’s humble precepts for generic motivational material.

In the mid-’90s, not long after I graduated from college, a friend insisted I read “ The Manual ,” by the Roman Stoic philosopher Epictetus. For an ungainly introvert like myself, the book’s premise was irresistible: Epictetus had written a how-to-adult handbook — a literal manual for being a human! — in sentences rebarred with moral certainty. “Of things some are in our power, and others are not,” he contends in the first line. “Wish the things which happen to be as they are, and you will have a tranquil flow of life.” Epictetus didn’t make the world more sensible and ordered, exactly, but suggested that our responses to it could be.

Back then, getting hold of “The Manual” meant crate-digging in used bookstores, where I found a vintage paperback from the 1960s that included a few more of Stoicism’s greatest hits by Seneca and Marcus Aurelius.

Now, we’re flooded with Stoic books; it’s arguably America’s leading nonreligious doctrine. Ryan Holiday, a former marketer and journalist, has built a cottage industry around Stoicism that includes podcasts, newsletters, Instagram feeds, YouTube videos and a shelf of books that have sold a reported 6 million copies — his latest, “ Right Thing, Right Now ,” comes out in June. (He also sells gewgaws like “memento mori” coins, a reminder of the very Stoic notion that death comes for us all.) Dutch Olympic speed skater Mark Tuitert has entered the field with a forthcoming manual of his own, “ The Stoic Mindset: Living the Ten Principles of Stoicism .” The media company School of Life, which popularizes philosophy on YouTube and elsewhere, produced a Stoicism card deck last fall in a stark black-and-white box that promises the contents will help you “find serenity and strength in a difficult world.”

But perhaps the clearest evidence that Stoicism has gone fully mainstream is that “The Manual” itself has a manual: January marked the arrival of “ Stoicism for Dummies ,” by Tom Morris and Gregory Bassham. The two ably run through Stoic history, from Zeno’s development of the philosophy circa 300 B.C. after he coolly survived a shipwreck and lost his possessions (very Stoic, that) to its current explosion in popularity thanks to writers like Holiday, Massimo Pigliucci and Donald J. Robertson, who’s written a stack of books on the subject, the latest of which is “ Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor .”

It’s not hard to see the appeal. As a philosophy, Stoicism favors real-world action over Wittgensteinian woolgathering. It delivers its advice in meme-ready chunks; Holiday’s @dailystoic Instagram feed has more than 3 million followers. As the school of thought is a product of dead civilizations, you can be an adherent without being accused of being an arriviste, convert or cultural appropriator. I recently reimmersed myself in the Stoics, hoping to recover a little bit of that certainty I was chasing in my 20s. I’m past 50, laboring in a troubled industry, raising a teenager and generally living in America in 2024; emotional equipoise is at a premium. But the dispiriting thing about contemporary Stoicism is how slippery it has become, toothless practically to the point of meaninglessness.

Part of the problem is that contemporary Stoicism dearly wishes to escape its founders’ most severe dictates. Aurelius and company insisted that we be cool in the face of death, be it our own or a child’s. They tended to see matters of love and affection as a distraction. (Seneca: “Friendship is always helpful, yet too often love causes harm.”) Robertson attempts to sell its virtues by connecting it to modern cognitive behavioral therapy, while the Dummies authors try to reframe the love-starved idea by asserting its practical uses in friendship. Still, this amounts to a lot of tut-tutting about squishy emotions — that we must keep even loved ones at arm’s length: Epictetus wrote that in the same way we should see a jug as a thing that can break, when we kiss our child or spouse we should tell ourselves that we’re “kissing a human being because then you won’t get upset when they die.”

My capacity for emotional balance stops at the point where I must liken my wife to earthenware. But fear not: The Dummies authors note that I can be flexible. “In the end you’ll have to decide whether to go all the way with the Stoics, or just adopt some of their perspectives from the whole package of conclusions they offer.” This is fine; all religions have reform versions and adherents who push against orthodoxy. But cafeteria Stoicism has become diluted into the language of go-get-’em motivational speech. Most of Holiday’s books are published by Portfolio, Penguin Random House’s business imprint, and to a remarkable extent his series on the Stoic virtues doesn’t deal with Stoicism as such. It features inspirational stories about Florence Nightingale or Frank Serpico or the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. or Harry S. Truman. Tuitert’s workbook is more about the mind-set for high achievement — go for the gold! — and wouldn’t be out of place in a Tony Robbins seminar.

Moreover, modern Stoicism drifts toward hypermasculine patter that at times devolves into macho preening. To demonstrate the importance of the Stoic concept of “arete,” or moral excellence, the Dummies book includes a picture of a man who has tattooed the word on his forearm, flexed tight, veins bulging. In his book “ Courage Is Calling ” (2021), Holiday celebrates the tech billionaire Peter Thiel’s lawsuits against Gawker as evidence of the same fear-conquering agency that drove Nightingale and — let’s see here — Napoleon. “It’s quite reasonable to be alarmed at the secret lawsuits he filed,” he writes, but “agency for its own sake matters very little — what matters are the ends to which we assert ourselves and our power.”

And so modern Stoicism finds itself somehow settling into Successories-style aphorisms, screw-your-feelings machismo and the ends justifying the means. This is many things, but it’s not a coherent moral philosophy.

The ancient Stoics had critics in their own time: Robertson quotes one writer who said its adherents were destined to “grow old in the torpor of a sluggish and, as it were, nerveless life.” I’m still interested in the ideas Epictetus and company suggest; there’s a lot to be said for cultivating poise and keeping stressors in proportion. But the philosophy in its current iteration doesn’t offer much beyond affirmations with a veneer of wisdom from the ancients. Bumper-sticker philosophy has its limits, and the Stoics had a warning about that: Quintus Sextius wrote, “Never be keen to please the crowd.”

Mark Athitakis is a critic in Phoenix and the author of “ The New Midwest .”

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'madu' tells inspiring story of viral dance star.

The new Disney+ documentary chronicles Anthony Madu's life after his viral moment

LOS ANGELES -- In the summer of 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic, when everyone was looking for some semblance of hope and happiness, a video of a young boy ballet dancing in the rain went viral. The joy on his face, the movement... all of it captured the hearts of people worldwide. And now, the story of Anthony Madu has been made into a documentary for Disney+.

Director Matt Ogens described the premise to On The Red Carpet.

"We follow a wonderful, passionate 12-year-old boy named Anthony Madu, who lives in a community in Lagos, Nigeria. And he is a ballet dancer. And he gets the opportunity of a lifetime and gets a scholarship to one of the best ballet schools in the world."

With the blessing of his family, whom he's never left before, Anthony took his first-ever plane ride to join the Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham, England. The documentary shows Anthony acclimating to his new life, making new friends and overcoming unforeseen obstacles.

Co-director Kachi Benson, who is from Lagos, helped build trust with Anthony and his family to help him open up and help the crew and tell a story belonging and acceptance, as well as impossible dreams being made real.

"I remember talking to him about, 'why do you do this? How did you find this?' And he shared his story with me. It was so inspiring to hear him talk about this and just his drive and his commitment," Benson said. "If you meet Anthony now you wouldn't recognize him from the Anthony that you saw in the first 10 minutes of the film - he's a totally different kid now and we're so proud of him."

"Madu" is streaming now on Disney+.

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2024 Houston Open: Live stream, watch online, TV schedule, channel, tee times, radio, golf coverage

The pga tour travels to the lone star state as some players make final preparations for the first major of the year.

A dramatic Florida swing has come and gone, giving way for the return of the 2024 Houston Open. Not on the PGA Tour schedule in 2023, the Houston Open has found its way back on the calendar and will welcome a number of heavy hitters to Memorial Park Golf Course for the fourth time.

Leading the way is the man who owned the Florida swing: Scottie Scheffler. A winner at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players Championship in his last two starts, the world No. 1 has eyes on his third straight victory this week. Scheffler was unable to rattle off three in a row in 2022 but hopes to join players like Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods by winning three consecutive starts.

Scheffler has performed well at Memorial Park in his career and is the heavy favorite to claim the title, but Wyndham Clark may have something to say. A runner-up to Scheffler at both Bay Hill and TPC Sawgrass, the reigning U.S. Open champion has entered the conversation of being a top-five player in the world.

Clark eyes his second win of the season after claiming the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. His fellow Americans Tony Finau, Sahith Theegala and Will Zalatoris all hope to enter the winner's circle for the first time in 2024, with Finau being the last man to win at Memorial Park in the Fall of 2022.

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• ‘The Beautiful Game’ Review: Bill Nighy Brings Heart And Soul To Inspiring Film Focused On Second Chances For Soccer Team Of Homeless Players

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The Beautiful Game is not focused on the politics of their lot in life, but rather using athletic skills and a little hope to take them off the streets and into the global eye as part of the Homeless World Cup. It’s a sporting event that takes place nearly every year since being founded in 2003 and so far has helped 1.2 million homeless people see some possible light by way of participation in this universal street soccer event.

The setting for this one is Rome, and at its center is a focus on the English team, a spirited if somewhat disparate and oddball bunch chosen for this unusual event, a Special Olympics of a very different stripe. Bringing them together is grieving widower Mal (Nighy), who has a successful background in the sport but now devotes his life to scouting potential team members for each annual competition (you only get to do this once).

In Rome we meet the various team members and see each is a totally different individual to whom life has thrown a curveball, so why not kick it ? Vinny finds his roommate is Nathan (a terrific Calllum Scott Howells), a likable and enthusiastic guy who we will learn could not beat his heroin addiction unless he is on his meds. Vinny demonstrates his aloof and sour manner in dealing with Nathan — and everyone else, for that matter, as he feels he really doesn’t belong with this group even after being royally welcomed by them due to his obvious talents, if not his actual background of which they have no idea.

Aldan ( Robin Nazari ), Cal (Kit Young), Jason (Sheyi Cole) and others each have their own hangups and problems, but this is a team you want to root for. Mal makes sure they get their chance to shine right from their first game against South Africa, which gives them a jump-start of 3 points towards the cup simply because the team missed their connection and didn’t show. There will, of course, be more who actually do, like Japan, and we see homelessness is a problem experienced everywhere on the planet, but humanity is the common denominator.

Valeria Golino is very fine as the spirited executive in charge of the operation as well as its No. 1 cheerleader. Nighy could not be better or more appealing here, while Ward ( The Old Guard) has a tough task but is excellent in navigating the often unlikable Vinny, a man with loads of potential who never landed a goal in life.

Colin Farrell was a producer and narrator for the 2008 feature documentary, Kicking It , that inspired this film to some degree, and he and his sister Claudine Farrell are among the producers of this one too. Among the large cast are actual Homeless World Cup players taking on non-speaking roles, a nice touch and opportunity provided by the filmmakers. Thea Sharrock ( Me Before You, Wicked Little Letters ) directs with heart but never overwhelms the film with the usual sentimental tropes of the genre. On the heels of Taika Waititi’s 2023 Next Goal Wins , about a losing ragtag Samoan soccer team , this is another admirable addition to a subgenre that relies heavily on the appeal of its cast. The Beautiful Game scores big time in that regard.

Title: The Beautiful Game Distributor: Netflix Release date: March 29, 2024 (streaming) Director: Thea Sharrock Screenwriter: Frank Cottrell Boyce Cast: Bill Nighy, Micheal Ward, Callum Scott Howells , Kit Young, Tom Vaughan, Sheyi Cole, Robin Nazari, Valeria Golino, Cristina Rodlo Rating: PG-13 Running time: 2 hr, 5 min

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What's open on Easter 2024? Details on Walmart, Target, Starbucks, restaurants, stores

Easter has arrived and whether you're looking to do some last-minute shopping or grab a bite to eat, consumers will have plenty of shopping and dining options on Sunday.

Many national retailers , grocery stores and restaurant chains will be open on Easter Sunday, albeit some with reduced hours. A few companies, like Costco, Target and Aldi, will be closed.

This year, Easter falls on Sunday, March 31 . The date the holiday is celebrated changes depending on the year because it is one of several "moveable feasts" in the liturgical year, according to the History Channel. Other examples include Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday .

The holiday is an important one for millions of people around the world who follow the Christian faith, as it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ after a 40-day period known as Lent .

Here's everything you need to know about what's open and closed on Sunday, March 31. It's best to check with your local store or restaurant online before leaving home, as hours and closures can vary by location.

Why does Easter change every year? Here's how the date has been historically determined.

Is Walmart open on Easter?

Walmart stores will be open regular hours on Easter, the company told USA TODAY.

Is Target open on Easter?

All Target stores will be closed on Sunday, March 31, a company spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY.

Are Costco or Sam's Club open on Easter?

No, both Costco and Sam's Club warehouses will be closed on Easter.

Are CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid open on Easter?

• Many  CVS  stores will be open regular hours on Easter, however some stores may be closed or have reduced hours. Check with your local pharmacy for their specific holiday hours. You can find your local CVS pharmacy using the company's  store locator .
• Walgreens will be open regular hours.
• Rite Aid locations will be open regular hours.

Are Home Depot, Lowe's or Ace Hardware open on Easter?

• Home Depot stores will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 31, the company confirmed to USA TODAY.
• Lowe's stores will be closed.
• Ace Hardware stores are independently owned and operated, so hours vary by location. Customers are encouraged to contact their local store to confirm business hours on Easter.

Are banks, post offices, UPS and FedEx open on Easter?

U.S. Postal Service facilities will be closed for retail transactions and there will be no regular residential or business mail deliveries on Sunday, March 31, the USPS confirmed to USA TODAY in an emailed statement. The agency did say that Priority Mail Express is delivered 365 days a year, including Sundays.

UPS and FedEx pickup and delivery services will not be available on Easter. UPS Store locations may be closed, according the company's website., and FedEx Office hours will also be modified.

Some branches of national banks will be closed on Easter since it falls on a Sunday.

• Branches of JPMorgan Chase that would typically be open on Sunday will be closed on Easter, the company told USA TODAY.
• Wells Fargo has some branches that are open on Sundays and those branches will be open on Sunday, March 31, the company told USA TODAY. Customers can visit  www.wellsfargo.com  for real-time information on branch hours.
• Bank of America financial centers are always closed on Sundays, even on non-holidays, so they will not be open on Easter, the company told USA TODAY.
• All Capital One branch and café locations will be open regular hours on Good Friday and Easter except for three locations located in malls.

Restaurants open on Easter 2024

The follow restaurants are  open  on March 31. Hours are displayed for companies that provided them.

• Cracker Barrel
• Golden Corral
• Olive Garden
• Longhorn Steakhouse: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Ruth's Chris Steak House: 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Red Lobster
• Buffalo Wild Wings
• Texas Roadhouse
• Fogo de Chão: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Chick-fil-A restaurants will be closed on March 31, since it is a Sunday.

Grocery stores open on Easter 2024

Here's which grocery stores are  open  on Easter. Hours are listed for the companies that provided them.

• Most stores in the  Kroger  family of companies will be open on Sunday (Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Foods Co, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, Jay C Food Store, King Soopers, Kroger, Mariano’s, Metro Market, Pay-Less Super Markets, Pick’n Save, QFC, Ralphs, Ruler, Smith’s Food and Drug).
• Trader Joe's
• Whole Foods: Stores will close at 6 p.m.
• Harris Teeter
• A majority of Albertson's banner stores will be open on Easter (Safeway, Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, ACME, Vons and Tom Thumb).

Here's which grocery stores will be closed on March 31.

Retail stores open on Easter 2024

Stores listed below will be  open  on March 31. Hours are listed for the companies that provided them.

• Home Depot: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Ace Hardware
• Bass Pro Shops: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Cabela's: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• PetSmart: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Tractor Supply Co.: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The following retail stores are  closed  on March 31.

Contributing: Olivia Munson, USA TODAY

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X  @GabeHauari  or email him at [email protected].