Candice Shay joins Martin’s Pharmacy

Martin’s Pharmacy is expanding to greater serve the needs of the Pulaski County community, with a new member on the Pharmacy staff and soon-to-open location in Dublin.

Although the pharmacy has been a local business for 77 years, Pharmacist Eddie Hale bought it 43 years ago in 1985 from Henry and Ralph Martin.

Candice Shay
Candice Shay recently joined the pharmacy staff at Martin’s Pharmacy in Pulaski.  Shay says, “Working for a community independent pharmacy is very rewarding.  You can really get to know every patient on a personal level.  It is nice to have that connection.  There is a big difference between the corporate and independent pharmacies,” comments Shay who previously worked at a major corporate pharmacy for five years. (Danielle Reid photo)

According to Martin’s pharmacist Dr. William “Will” Hale, “We are constantly expanding to include many patient care services, new locations and qualified pharmacy staff.  Our modernized pharmacy maintains the intimacy of a neighborhood pharmacy while serving the community’s everyday health needs.”

Dr. Candice Shay, Pulaski County High School graduate of 2014, is the most recent addition to the pharmacy staff. Shay began her career with Martin’s the beginning of May 2020 after her graduation from the Appalachian College of Pharmacy.

“Working for a community independent pharmacy is very rewarding,” said Shay.  “You can really get to know every patient on a personal level.  It is nice to have that connection.  There is a big difference between the corporate and independent pharmacies,” comments Shay, who previously worked at a major corporate pharmacy for five years.

After high school graduation, Shay attended NRCC on the Martin’s Pharmacy Scholarship while working as a pharmacy tech.   “I took pre-requisites for pharmacy school at NRCC then a heavy concentration in chemistry at Appalachian College,” explains Shay.  By taking accelerated classes and going year-round, Shay completed pharmacy school in three years, rather than the normal four-year program.

“Pharmacy school is very competitive.  You have to complete all required undergraduate classes with a high GPA, take the PCAT admission test, pass the interviews, start graduate school, and complete your doctorate level classes.  In addition, during the final year of classes, you have a rotation as an intern.  I interned at six different locations in a six-week rotation cycle,” says Shay.

“To achieve my goals, I gave up social life, sleep and actually had to get glasses from the eye strain caused by working 18 hours a day on the computer.”  Shay, who ran track in high school, says running and working out helped her to deal with the stress and maintain balance.  She believes that physical activity is important to good health.

Now that she has some leisure time, Shay likes to spend it with family and hiking on the local and Roanoke trails.  She is looking forward to staying with Martin’s Pharmacy as it grows, and to serving the people of Pulaski County; and says she is happy to be back in her hometown.

Martin’s Pharmacy is located on N. Washington Avenue in downtown Pulaski, with a second location in Rural Retreat on W. Buck Avenue. In August Martin’s will be opening their Dublin location adjacent to the new Family Dollar Store on Lee Highway.

Pharmacist Dr. Kristen Owens is now serving in the Rural Retreat location, while Pharmacists Dr. Ashley Williams and Doug Futrell will be based in Dublin.

As an independent pharmacy, Martin’s offers home delivery within the city limits, drive-thru service, multi-dose packaging for those taking multiple medications, compounding of medications, medical therapy management by appointment, on-line wellness classes, in-house/pharmacy grade hand sanitizer, surgical masks and gloves.

By DANIELLE REID, The Patriot