Congratulations to Stephen Skinner, RPh, of Specialty Pharmacy in Cullman, Alabama, for being named PCCA's October "Pharmacist of the Month."

Stephen admits he wasn't completely excited about the field of pharmacy when he entered school. Obtaining a position in pharmaceutical sales was his original plan after graduating. A compounding internship with PCCA member Charles Prickett, RPh, Eastern Valley Drugs in Bessemer, Ala., changed all that. After graduating in 1995 from Auburn University, Stephen began practicing with his father Frank Skinner, RPh, who in 1968 established (and still runs) Skinner Pharmacy & Home Care. Stephen opened his expansion pharmacy with a compounding lab once the local hospital relocated and he and his father attended PCCA's Primary training together. Stephen has compounded ever since.

Last February, Stephen expanded his compounding lab to about 500 sq. ft. while remodeling the 3,000 sq. ft. store. Remodeling gave Stephen a chance to change the store's overall objective to natural supplements and products. According to Stephen, it was a good move because it complements his compounding practice. Stephen also changed the pharmacy name to Specialty Pharmacy to "more closely express the natural pharmacy and wellness services we are providing."

Some 30 to 40 years ago, a diaper rash compound was created by one of Frank's pharmacists, James B. Leeth. A nurse, who worked in the community for 40 years, gave the compound the name "Soothe Butt." Today, Stephen is compounding the product and it remains a hot item with customers.

Bio-identical Hormone Replacement is a major focus at the practice. This area continues to grow as Stephen educates patients regarding HRT. In January, Stephen spoke to a group of about 200 women at the local college's Woman's Enrichment Day. “I live for and love it when a patient tells me, "you have changed my life, I never thought I could feel like this again,'" says Stephen. Pain management is another emphasis of Stephen’s compounding practice and it has lead him to work with the newly established local hospice organization.

Specialty Pharmacy continues to flourish, and he credits his staff’s dedication and enthusiasm along with marketing as reasons for the success. The pharmacy advertises in local papers and newsletters, and participates in a variety of seminars. Stephen says, "working with the patients is the best way to market because it seems like once people make up their mind that a compound could benefit them, they help you work with the physician to get the therapy they need. And, with successful compounding comes satisfied patients and the most important advertising you can have, word of mouth."

Stephen now has a marketing representative who is going out into the field to educate physicians and the public on the benefits of compounding and Specialty Pharmacy. "I don't believe we have even scratched the surface of where we are going. There are many areas we plan to expand into and there are many where we haven't scratched the surface. With the help of PCCA and all the innovative pharmacists out there, the sky is the limit."

"Compounding has provided a young pharmacist like myself with an exciting future! When someone tells me we have changed their life or a loved one of a hospice patient sends a letter, it makes all the difference. I work and live for that, it is so professionally rewarding."