NCPA Foundation-UAMS Pharmacy Ownership and Leadership Academy

POLA Day 5 recap:

We closed out the last day of POLA, celebrating the creativity and dedication shown in each student team's business plan presentation. Following the presentations, each student was awarded a certificate in recognition of their hard work and participation.

Remember, we’re always here to provide support on your journey. Wishing you the best of luck in your pharmacy career — we can’t wait to see where you go! Don’t forget to take what you’ve learned and compete in the NCPA Business Plan Competition!

Safe travels, and stay in touch!

POLA Day 4 Recap:

Our teams dove deep into finalizing their business plans, putting their knowledge and creativity to the test. The evening concluded with a dynamic Owner Networking Dinner in the UAMS Hospital Gallery—a night filled with meaningful connections, inspiring conversations, real-world insights, and the always-delicious Gina’s Catering.

A huge thank you to the pharmacists and pharmacy owners who joined us and shared their journeys:
-Dr. Anne Pace
-Dr. Rachel Foshee
-Dr. Clint Boone
-Dr. Matt Garner
-Dr. Clayton Dickerson
-Dr. Robert Maltby

Your presence made this experience unforgettable for our future pharmacy leaders.

POLA Day 3 Recap:
We kicked off the morning with an engaging lecture from Dr. Schwanda Flowers on crafting real-world business plans and understanding pharmacy financials. Afterward, we enjoyed an amazing lunch provided by Gina’s Catering.

In the afternoon, Scott Tedder from Pharmacists Mutual gave an insightful presentation on Insurance 101. Student teams then had the opportunity to present early ideas for their business plans. Dr. Flowers returned to discuss the NCPA Digest and its associated financials, offering valuable context and guidance. Dr. Bobby Glaze shared his background in pharmacy and pharmacy ownership. To wrap up the day, Dr. Heldenbrand reviewed best practices for the NCPA Business Plan Competition.
We ended the evening with dinner at The Flying Saucer, where students networked with current pharmacy owners and gained firsthand insights into ownership.

A heartfelt thank you to these incredible pharmacists for generously giving their time and expertise:
-Dr. Blake Torres
-Dr. Randy Kassissieh
-Dr. Gwen Herzig
-Dr. Bobby Glaze

Also, thank you to Scott Tedder and Joe Baker for attending our dinner.

Your insights and dedication make a lasting impact—thank you for inspiring the next generation of pharmacy leaders!

POLA Day 2 Recap:

We started out the day with energizing team-building activities at the beautiful Arkansas 4-H Center! Our students worked together to solve challenges, build trust, and strengthen communication. After a full day of collaboration and creativity, the afternoon was all about diving into pharmacy business plans. 💼💊

We’re having a great week so far—and we’re just getting started!

POLA DAY 1 Recap:
We kicked off the day with an engaging program overview, followed by a warm welcome from our generous partners: Dean Stowe (UAMS), Dr. Scott Pace (NCPA Foundation), and Dr. Schwanda Flowers Heldenbrand (FFB).
Dr. Seth Heldenbrand set the tone with a powerful session on Emotional Intelligence and Extreme Ownership. Chris Cella from McKesson followed with an insightful discussion on the path to Pharmacy Ownership. Joe Baker delivered valuable advice on building long-term financial wealth, and Dr. Flowers returned to dive into pharmacy valuation and the NCPA Digest.
We wrapped up the day with a delicious dinner catered by Gina’s Catering—an excellent end to a day full of learning and inspiration!

Starting Monday, June 16th, we’re thrilled to welcome 38 student pharmacists from across the country for an unforgettable week of learning and growth! Together, we’ll dive into self-awareness, leadership, entrepreneurship, and what it truly takes to own and operate a pharmacy in today’s evolving marketplace.

Our incredible P4 pharmacy students, Abbi Kidd and Colby Cormell, are thrilled to be helping coordinate POLA 2025! They’re looking forward to meeting each of you and making this an unforgettable experience!

Get ready for a week full of inspiration, connection, and lasting memories!

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Day 5 Recap: What an incredible day of innovation and celebration! Our participants dazzled us with their creative mini business plans, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit and dedication that POLA is all about.

Congratulations to all our award recipients and certificate holders! Your hard work and brilliant ideas have truly inspired us all.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and supported our future leaders throughout this week. Together, we're fostering a community of innovation and success! And a special thank you to Dr.Heldenbrand and Dr.Flowers for continuing to pour your blood, sweat and tears into this organization!

Here is to another successful year of POLA, with the most special and inspiring group of individuals! Safe travels home everyone, we will miss you!

Day 4 at POLA: Teamwork and Business Innovation!

Today was all about collaboration and creativity as the students worked in teams to develop mini business plans.
Throughout the day, they brainstormed innovative ideas, conducted market research, and crafted strategic plans. It was incredible to see everyone’s unique strengths and perspectives come together to form solid business proposals. We're thrilled to see their presentations tomorrow and can't wait to see what each team has come up with.

This evening, we had the privilege of networking with esteemed pharmacy owners at our POLA dinner event. It was an incredible opportunity to gain insights from experienced professionals, share our aspirations, and build valuable connections. Their stories and advice reinforced the importance of leadership and innovation in the pharmacy industry.
A big thank you to all the pharmacy owners who joined us and shared their wisdom!

Matt Garner Daniel Cate Rachel Foshee Laura Lumsden Brittany Harris Sanders Gwendolyn Paige Herzig

A huge thank you to Gina’s Catering for an incredible week of culinary delights! Your dedication to excellence truly made our event shine. Your impeccable service exceeded all expectations!

Day 3 POLA Recap: Today was all about the money! We dove into the world of pharmacy financials with Dr. Schwanda Flowers, where we learned how to break down the numbers and make informed decisions for a successful future!

Next, we heard from Dr. Heldenbrand about mastering the art of writing a real-world business plan. Whether it’s outlining goals, analyzing markets, or crafting financial projections, every detail shapes the path to success!

And last, but certainly not least, we heard from Mr. Scott Tedder from Pharmacist Mutual where we discussed their provided specialized insurance solutions backed by solid industry insight to independent community pharmacies!

We ended our night at the Flying Saucer for a good meal and a social sponsored by Scott Tedder with Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company with special guest pharmacy owners: Blake Torres, Gwendolyn Herzig and Clint Boone! And of course Joey Baker. Thank you for coming to speak with us tonight about ownership, liability, and finances!