Hy-Vee Drugstore Wins Globe Gazette Readers Choice Award
Lindsey James
Globe Gazette
Hy-Vee Drugstore, located at 875 4th Street SW in Mason City, is the Reader’s Choice for Best Pharmacy. “Our location is definitely convenient for our customers,” said Tally Mertes, store manager. Prior to moving to its current location, across from Mercy Hospital and the Mason City Clinic, in 2007, Hy-Vee Drugstore had been located in the Regency Mall for 31 years.
Pharmacy manager Tim Leibrand has been a pharmacist with Hy-Vee for 33 years. He and Mertes are pleased that their pharmacy customers have voted their confidence in the services provided. “They’re the ones who made it possible,” said Leibrand, who says the best part of the job is talking with the customers. He knows 75 percent of the customers by name, leading the way for friendly customer service from all the pharmacy staff.
All four pharmacists are graduates of the pharmacy program at the University of Iowa. Leibrand is a registered pharmacist, the designation available over 30 years ago. Sarah Arickx, Melissa Jenkins, and Chris Penney are all Doctors of Pharmacy. Arickx and Jenkins have been with Hy-Vee five years, Penney for four years.
There are also eight registered pharmacy technicians. At any given time, there will eight employees in the pharmacy, and 8-10 during peak hours. Providing quality service and customer convenience is very important.
The pharmacy team is always working to monitor medication interactions. Prescriptions are filed under the customer’s name with the prescription number. Any time a patient fills a new prescription it is always checked for drug interactions. Hy-Vee Drugstore provides a very thorough drug utilization review.
“We're dedicated to being helpful and always looking for ways to make your life easier, healthier and happier,” said Mertes. The team is committed to quality service and speed. Prescriptions can often be ready within minutes.
Hy-Vee Drugstore offers extended hours - staying open until 9 PM during the week and on weekends - so that customers can pick up their prescriptions when it’s convenient for them. Pharmacy hours are 8 AM to 9 PM Monday thru Friday; 9 AM to 6 PM on Saturday; and 10 AM to 6 PM on Sunday. Drive-thru service and free in-town delivery are also offered.
“For those customers who spend their winters elsewhere or take extended summer vacations, they can still depend on us for their medication needs. We offer free mail-out delivery so they don’t have to worry about the hassle of prescription transfers,” explained Mertes. “We can request refills from their local physicians and get their refill in the mail before their prescription runs out. They can continue to count on the pharmacists that they’ve already come to know and trust.”
Hy-Vee Drugstore can also help customers save money by offering over 400 generic drugs available for $4.00 for a 30-day supply or $10.00 for a 90-day supply. “If a customer is interested in finding a generic that may work for them, they can definitely count on our pharmacists for guidance. They’re more than happy to make a recommendation.” Hy-Vee Drugstore also offers vaccinations for the seasonal flu, pneumonia and shingles. “We carry a wide variety of home health and home medical products including CPAP and oxygen supplies, diabetic shoes, walkers, rolators, scooters, power and lift chairs. We have a respiratory therapist on staff and offer free delivery within a 40-mile radius of Mason City. We also file with most insurance providers.”
In addition to the 2010 Reader’s Choice, Hy-Vee Drugstore has also been named “Pharmacy of the Quarter” by Hy-Vee Corporate Headquarters for the past eight consecutive quarters. “Our customers can be confident that they’ve chosen an award-winning pharmacy,” said Mertes.
