Pharmacy of the Year Award: Keri Bates Shares Reflections on Rocky Ridge Drug Company

Keri Bates, PharmD, a finalist for the prestigious Pharmacy of the Year Award at McKesson ideaShare, shared her reflections on the important recognition for her and her team at Rocky Ridge Drug Company. this nomination, she explained, validates years of dedicated effort, underscores the profound community relationships they have cultivated, and serves as a powerful inspiration for ongoing growth and innovation. For Bates, the honor extends beyond personal achievement, representing a tribute to her team’s unwavering commitment and the deep trust they have earned from their patients.

“It’s a huge honor,” Bates stated. “It’s exciting, and I think, in a way, it serves as a little bit of validation for the hard work that we’ve put in. It’s nice to have a little pat on the back for that. But yeah, I think it also serves as motivation to keep going-to keep pushing myself and the staff outside of our comfort zone and boundaries, and to branch out and try new things.”

Reflecting on the potential impact of winning the award,Bates emphasized its significance for her team and the community. “Yeah, I think that if we were to win this, it woudl really be a testament to the hard work that my staff has put in,” she said. “I would love nothing more than for them to have that honor-that we would win-as they really deserve it. They have put so much work in, and I’m just so proud of what this team has accomplished together.”

She added, “I think it’s also a testament to the relationship they’ve developed with the community and our customers. Because really, that’s what it’s all about-developing those relationships with the customers. that’s why Rocky Ridge Drug Company is so special.”