Independent pharmacists are known not only to be pillars for health care access but also for having strong bonds with their local communities, often being directly involved with area organizations or otherwise providing support. For his generosity and commitment to the Western University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy in Pomona, Calif., the college on April 4 held a dedication ceremony to name its current P1 pharmacy classroom the “986 Pharmacy Classroom” in recognition of NCPA Officer Ken Thai, PharmD. Thai is co-founder and CEO of 986 Degrees Corp., and owner/operator of multiple 986 Pharmacy locations throughout Southern California and Nevada. He also serves as an adjunct assistant professor of pharmacy practice at the University of Southern California and WesternU, precepting and mentoring students interested in becoming pharmacy entrepreneurs.
“I feel I am up here representing my team. It’s really the 986 [Degrees Corp.] independent pharmacists I’m standing before all of you representing,” Thai said in his remarks. Noting how inspired he was by others in the industry, he said, “A lot of folks, students especially, do not feel the same about independent community practice as they once did. The pride that we once showcased may not be as strong as it once was. And I really felt as a member of that community that we need to stand up for that. We need to do something to really show them that we’re alive and we’re thriving. You can still make it work. We can still do something special to allow the future generations of pharmacists to feel what we felt, to enjoy some of what we enjoyed, and to be where we are today.”
